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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-03-04, Page 88 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, March 4, 2015 Valerie Gillies/Lucknow Sentinel Barbara Hodgkinson was recognized for 35 years of service at the Lucknow branch of the BMO on Friday, February 27, 2015. 35 Years at BMO Valerie Gillies Lucknow Sentinel Cake was being served at the Lucknow branch of the BMO bank on Friday, Feb- ruary 27, 2015 to mark the 35th anniversary of Bar- bara Hodgkinson begin- ning her career with them. Speaking of those years of employment, Hodgkin- son says, "I have met so many wonderful people and worked with so many wonderful people." Co-workers Carrie Murray and Kate Kuehl describe Hodgkinson as a very dedicated employee who is always willing to go above and beyond for their customers. She is an awesome team player who is always there for them both personally and professionally. Hodgkinson proudly proclaims, "The BMO motto is to be the Bank that defines a great cus- tomer experience," add- ing, "and it really has been." 4 Simpson Proud parents, Holly & Elliott Simpson along with big (fur) brother, Chevy are thrilled to announce the arrival of Sawyer Donald James Simpson ob at Stratford General Hospital on February 1st, weighing in at 7/bs 3oz. Spoiling privileges go to grandparents, Sheila & David Gibson of Ripley and Annette & Rod Simpson of Goderich. Great grandson of Jim and the late Eleanor Gibson of Lucknow, Doug and Frances Button of Teeswater, the late Donald & Edith Simpson of ACW and Ronald & Emily Michaud of Alberta PLEASE RECYCLE A Blatant Attempt to sign up New Members WDistrict Hoingham aspind tal Auxiliary Pat McPherson You pass by a card -table when you enter the post - office to check your mail; the sparkle of a gleaming bed- pan may catch your eye and you stop to buy a tag. When you visit an ailing friend at the hospital, you drop into the gift shop to pick up a package of gum and a pink - smocked woman takes your money. As you wait in line at the grocery checkout, you notice a poster asking if you are interested in playing bridge, or maybe euchre. In the coming events section of the paper, you note that the Fall Rummage sale is just around the corner and jot down a reminder on the cal- endar. By the drugstore cash -register, you notice a picture of a beautiful hand- made quilt and you buy a couple of tickets on it. Just before Christmas, you accompany a friend to the Poinsettia Tea, picking up a fruitcake at the bake sale on your way to the Terrace Room. In every case, you note the involvement of the Auxiliary to the Wingham and District Hospital. Huh, what's that all about? A Bit of History There was no hospital in Huron County, or in neigh- bouring Bruce County, until 1898, when Dr. J.P. Kennedy opened a four -bed facility with an operating room in the upper floor of the build- ing where Stainton's Home Hardware is now. It wasn't long before this hospital proved too small and in 1906, a group of concerned citizens bought the Webster residence on Carling Terrace and converted it into a 22 -bed hospital. In those days of smaller provincial and federal gov- ernments, it was largely left to the community to look after its own needs and the Hospital Auxiliary was Xr r'if fir' f J ii /wws Chad Mann 519-357-3015 www.kruzinmannlimos.com A Division of Lloyd Collins Construction Ltd. ina.lm=rowri formed to support the hospi- tal. Donations from various estates and foundations sup- plied the large equipment, but members of the Auxil- iary contributed much of the furnishings, even the lino- leum for the stairs. The Aux- iliary also took on the responsibility for the bed- ding, curtains, gowns, and nursery items, purchasing the material and sewing up what was needed. With the first addition to the hospital, the Auxiliary bought several sewing machines, some of them even electric, and established a room in the basement where up to 14 groups of members took turns doing the sewing and mending. This work contin- ued until 1962, when the Ontario Hospital Commis- sion took charge of all sup- plies and the Auxiliary was put out of the sewing business. But sewing hadn't been the only Auxiliary func- tion. In 1955, in recognition of its service to the hospital, the Auxiliary was invited to appoint a member of the Hospital Board - a practice that is still in place. In 1957, a Cancer Clinic was organ- ized in Wingham, the small- est town in Ontario to have a clinic, and its doctors and nurses were assisted by Auxiliary volunteers. In 1967, as a Centennial pro- ject, Auxiliary member nurses started a branch of the Candy Stripers, whereby girl and boy volunteers over the age of 16 helped the busy nursing staff with patient care. For several years, volun- teer members travelled to the Ontario Hospital in Goderich to assist with ther- apy work; advised the administration on the deco- ration of the patients' rooms; manned the recep- tion desk in Emergency; sponsored blood donor clinics; welcomed the hos- pital's first baby of the year with a lovely present; and raised patient spirits with seasonal tray favours. To Present Day Early in its history, the Auxiliary was asked by the Ontario Hospital Commis- sion to make fund-raising one of its primary goals in order to provide hospital equipment not supplied by the government. In 1936, members held their first Rummage Sale, an event which has been held twice a year ever since (this year's Spring sale will be held in the Legion on April 15th and 16th) and has raised thou- sands of dollars for the Aux- iliary. Over the years, the Auxiliary also started an annual Tag Day, weekly Bridge (with Euchre added in 2010), used -book sales, bake sales, and quilt raffles - all of which are still being done today. In the 50's, the Auxiliary opened a gift shop in a small room off the main entrance of the hospital, featuring handicrafts made by the members. Today, the gift shop is still open every weekday morning and afternoon, and its inventory has expanded to include collectibles, stuffed toys, jewelry, purses, hospi- tal scrubs and things like combs and toothbrushes that may have been forgot- ten by the newly -admitted patient. When the current hospital renovations are completed, the gift shop will have a substantially larger room in a more visi- ble location and will be able to stock a wider selec- tion of boutique items. These longtime fundrais- ers have been supplemented by relatively new ones like the annual Poinsettia Tea and Bake Sale and the spon- sorship of the Wingham Fashion Show. Through its ventures, the Auxiliary has raised a lot of money. As a strong sup- porter of health care, it pro- vides an annual bursary of $500 to an F.E. Madill grad- uate who is entering a post- secondary program in the health services. The remainder of its funds are used to supply the hospital with equipment that is above and beyond what provincial funding can cover. Over its 100+ year history, the Auxiliary's long list of donations reads like a hospital -supply catalogue, including incubators, refrigerators, oxygen tents, centrifuges, autoclaves, whirlpool baths, aspirators, defibrillators, microscopes, ambulifts, specialized beds and wheelchairs - you name it, and the Auxiliary has probably donated it. It's come a long way from cur- tains, smocks, and bedding. Within the last five years, the Auxiliary has donated a pressure -relief mattress, a vital -signs monitor, three oncology chairs, and a car- diac stretcher. Already this year the Auxiliary has pro- vided the hospital with a crash cart and with May tag days just three months away, it has set as its 2015 goal the purchase of an ER stretcher. Your Auxiliary Needs You With computerization, more paid staff, government regulation, and a change in hospital services (the loss of obstetrics, for example), the role of the Auxiliary in the daily functioning of the hos- pital has diminished but its role as a fund-raiser has become crucial. All of us appreciate having a well- equipped hospital in the heart of our community but with tight provincial budgets, we need strong local involve- ment and contribution to ensure we maintain it . In 2012, the Auxiliary was presented with a plaque by the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation recog- nizing it as an "outstanding donor"; from 1999 to 2007, the Auxiliary had raised an amazing $84,000 for the hos- pital. In the last seven years, the Auxiliary has kept up this remarkable pace. But in order to continue its work for the hospital, the Auxiliary needs new mem- bers. New members bring new energy, new ideas, and helping hands. The time commitment is not heavy. Meetings are held only every second month, with a hiatus from the end of June to the end of Septem- ber. Meetings rarely last more than 90 minutes, and end with coffee, baked goods, and an opportunity to socialize. There's often an informative and interesting guest speaker, followed by a lively question and answer period, and members are kept up-to-date with the lat- est hospital develop- ments. Besides attending meetings, you may be asked to man the card -table at the post -office or bake some squares for the Poinsettia Tea, but these requests will be few and far between. And you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are working for your local hospital. If you have a little free time, we urge you to join the Wingham and District Hos- pital Auxiliary. You will make a difference. Come to our next meeting on Mon- day, April 20th at 1:30 in the Terrace Room of the Wing - ham hospital, or contact Trudy Thompson at 357- 2349 or Pat McPherson at pmcph@outlook.com.