 75 Years of Dedicated Service
The Kelowna General Hospital Auxiliary was founded 75 years ago to fulfil a financial need. To this day, it has been sustained by creative fundraising, and maintained by dedicated and caring members from the community.
In 1929 the Girls' Hospital Aid was formed and our earliest written records recognize the late Miss Essie Taylor as its 6th president. At that time Kelowna General Hospital had a training school for nurses and the main purpose of the Auxiliary was to furnish and upkeep the Nurse's Residence. By the year 1938, the name was changed to Junior Hospital Auxiliary and the mandate now reflected the needs of the hospital expansion. The name changed a few more times and in1995, the Auxiliary became Auxiliary to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation. The constitution to date reinforces the primary goal of adding to the comfort and welfare of the patients of Kelowna General Hospital and to foster good relations between the hospital and the community.
Fundraising has been the mainstay of the Auxiliary throughout the 75 years. The evolution has run the gamut from bake sales and raffles, to the spectacular Coronation Ball in 1953, to the long-standing annual events such as the Christmas Mini Bazaar and the Blossom Time Fair. The spring Fair, showcased in May every year, is a 52-year tradition and has been a joint venture of all six Auxiliaries in the area. The Gift Shoppe opened in 1968 with a show case in the hospital lobby, and it has evolved over the years to provide such special services as flowers, gift ware, crafts and fruit baskets to name a few. In 1992 the General's Snackery was opened to serve light meals to visitors, patients and staff and the Perking Lot coffee shop, was added in 2002 t compliment the other two thriving businesses owned and operated by the Auxiliary along with vending machines and engraving. Proceeds earned from auxiliary endeavours are donated to the hospital Foundation for the purchase of medical equipment that the hospital may not otherwise have. In the past eleven years our Auxiliary has donated $3,304,793.00 to that end. Volunteers in red smocks and Candy Striper services were started in 1964 with the Auxiliary's support and these services continue today. Three bursaries are also offered annually to students pursuing a career in the Medical Field. Countless hours by thousands of dedicated volunteers in the 75 years have enabled us to meet the ever-increasing needs of our hospital and community.
Our membership numbers have fluctuated over the years but the commitment and dedication have remained constant. Many outstanding women have lead and inspired this Auxiliary. Our longest serving member, Chris Leathley joined the auxiliary in 1948 and was recently honoured for her 40 years of volunteer service within the hospital. Fifteen current members have received a lifetime membership for their contributions to the organization and the present 64-member roster reflects 880 years of accumulated service. That certainly highlights our continued PRIDE, LOYALTY and SUCCESS. Miss Essie Taylor would indeed be PROUD.
Veterans' Specialty Plates
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