Where there's a need, auxiliary finds a way
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Mar 02/01) - Every toothbrush sold by Stanton Regional Hospital auxiliary volunteers is an investment in benevolence.
Revenue from the Ruth Stanton gift store buys the comforts of home, perks excluded from hospital budgets.
"The auxiliary is extremely important to the quality of care we provide," says Dennis Cleaver, hospital chief executive officer.
The auxiliary has purchased baby mobiles for the pediatric ward; cookware for the psychiatric unit; Christmas gift bags during the holidays; a $3,000 piano for the extended care ward; almost 100 bedside televisions.
"A lot of hospitals down south have a T.V. rental program. Here, the auxiliary donated all the televisions," says Sue Glowach, executive director of the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation.
In 1945, the first women's auxiliary knit baby outfits and read to patients. Today the store is filled with candy, plush toys and pastel picture frames. One hundred per cent of the store's revenue goes back to purchasing requested items for the hospital.
"We're providing the frills," says auxiliary secretary Sarah Archer.
Similar to the Stanton Hospital Foundation, which raises money for critical care equipment, the auxiliary donates 100 per cent of money raised to the hospital.
When one of two palliative rooms required brightening up, auxiliary dollars bought the necessary paint and furniture.
Archer says the 20 volunteers are bonded by a desire to help.
"It's a passion," she says after handing a masked patient his change.
"It's the closest thing to altruism I know."
Archer and her volunteering comrades have their own wish list. "We'd like to place televisions in every room and extend the gift store's hours," Archer says.
The shop is only open for a couple of hours each day because to limited staffing.
Other than a childhood tonsillectomy, Archer has personally managed to avoid a stay in hospital. Nonetheless, she believes in giving back to a system that gives to the community.
Men or women looking to volunteer four to six hours a week are encouraged to join the auxiliary. Drop by the gift store for more information.
