Hospital Auxiliary honours dedicated volunteers

Honoured for hours and years of service to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, front, from left, were: Ann Brown, Janet Bryant, Fran Renoy, Janet O’Brien, Rita Engel, Anna Reko, Barb Ansell, Elayne Meharg
Back row, from left: Gayle Collison, Sue Everall, Lynn Edward, Nancy Hicks, Janet Chandler, Geralyn Walmsley, Pauline Smith. – Dorothy Vincent Speirs photo

The Prince Edward County Memorial Auxiliary honoured its volunteers at an Appreciation Tea Sunday at the Picton Legion.

More than 50 members turned out to honour their colleagues who were being presented with pins recognizing hours and years of service.

“Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart,” said Auxiliary President Peggy Payne, recalling an inspirational quote. “So thank you to all our volunteers.

Payne noted the auxiliary continues with strong community support for the Second Time Around Shop, the coffee shop, the blood donor clinics and the OPP snowsuit campaign.

“This allows the auxiliary to bring many items of equipment to the hospital including the vein finders, pressure mattresses, portable ultrasound bladder scanner and vital signs monitors.

Tea and sweets were enjoyed and musical entertainment was provided by singers and songwriters Wellington Lambert, Micheline Cox and Tom Dietzel playing a medley of love songs from the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Honoured for hours and years of service were:

1000 hours: Janet Chandler, Reta Engel, Susan Everall, Darlene Johnston, Judy Kalny, Laura McAuley, Anna Reko, Gail Richardson, Denise Ward.

2000 hours: Barbara Ansell, Dorothy Bongard, Janet Bryant, Mary Murray, Gene Plummer, Pauline A. Smith.

3000 hours:  Ann Brown

6000 hours: Nancy Hicks, Mary Jane Daubney

10 years: Gayle Collison, Mary Jane Daubney, Catherine Dunlop, Janet O’Brien, Gail Richardson

15 years: Barbara E. Harris, Fran Renoy, Joan Ryckman, Geralyn Walmsley.

20 years:  Lynn Edward, Joyce Minaker

25 years:  Elayne Meharg

30 years:  Jean Veenstra

Led and staffed entirely by volunteers, the Auxiliary functions both within the hospital and in the larger community. In-hospital services target both patients and visitors. Community services reach out to everybody from young people through student awards for those entering the medical services field to seniors, through programs like Meals on Wheels. Fundraising endeavours like the Coffee Shop, the Second Time Around Shop and the Festival of Trees raise money for special projects, patient support and technical equipment for the hospital.

Volunteers are the auxiliary’s lifeblood. New members always welcome. There are numerous opportunities for volunteers to share their time and their talents. There are also volunteer sessions held at the hospital on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. Click here to find out how to get involved.