The target was to raise just over $90,000 over four or five years but the St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary team did it in two.
That kind of dedication was in full view on Dec. 3 at the auxiliary’s annual tea and bake sale when they handed over a cheque in the amount of $15,414.49 to the hospital’s executive director, Greg Hoffort, representing the final payment on a $90,414.49 refurbishment of the intensive care unit.
“We have 60 members in total with about 40 of them being quite active. A few can be more active than others who are still holding down jobs and can’t be available for everything,” said Sharon Heinz, co-president of the current auxiliary group, the title she shares with Nola Joseph.
The refitting of the ICU unit included three bed replacements with tables and bedside monitors among other items.
They will now switch their attention to the operating rooms where a new operating table is needed along with sterilization equipment. That will be about a $100,000 bill, she suggested, noting that with younger members coming aboard, the auxiliary has gained new energy and ambition.
That’s not to say the old guard isn’t still involved, like veteran member Lenora Wanner, 93, who has been an auxiliary member for 67 years. She was busy pouring tea for servers, along with Jean Dukart.
“Heck, I can remember serving Christmas dinners for 700 people with a much smaller group of volunteers,” Wanner said with a big grin. Serving about 80 people a few cups of tea or coffee with cake in the hospital’s auditorium was, in fact, a piece of cake.
Heinz said the Estevan United Way is huge supporter of their efforts, becoming their lifeline with the community. The tea and bake sale, that includes a raffle and silent auction, is one of their major single fundraising events. The auxiliary is also responsible for operations of the canteen and gift shop at the hospital. Along with providing funds for capital purchases for the hospital, the auxiliary chips in with two, $500 scholarships directed toward deserving post-secondary school students who are pursuing a career in the medical and health-care professions.
“The auxiliary has been a part of our hospital for 76 years now,” said Hoffort after accepting the donation.
“Their dedication and efficiency is obvious. They took on this challenge to raise $90,000 for the emergency room two years ago and we thought it would take them five years to raise the money, but here we are accepting the final payment,” Hoffort said.
With the upcoming refurnishing of the operating room, St. Joseph’s will be able to increase surgical services to the community, he added. He was unwilling to guess how long it would take the auxiliary to raise the required $100,000, but as the past records indicate, it might be quicker than anticipated thanks to the generosity of the local residents and the determined efforts of an auxiliary that recognizes their role and attacks their target with enthusiasm.
