The Ponoka Hospital & Care Centre Auxiliary is celebrating 75 years of service, continuing its important work in providing patient comfort and care in the community.
“We just had our general meeting first,” said Joyce MacKenzie, president of the Auxiliary. “Then we had cake, which was supplied by the hospital, and the mayor came and gave a presentation. We had a counselor from the county office come and give us good wishes, and of course, our hospital CEO was there.”
The celebration event, which took place on April 16, marked a special milestone for the group. Despite the pandemic-related delay, the Auxiliary decided to make this year’s celebration extra special, with a gathering that included a meal of soup and salmon. “The Legion actually gave us the venue rent-free, which was really neat,” MacKenzie added.
The Auxiliary’s primary goal is to support patient comfort and care, and it raises funds in various ways, including through the Gift Shop, vending machines, and an ATM machine.
The funds raised have been used to purchase essential equipment and services for the hospital. “We’ve bought things like gastroscopes, a pediatric colonoscope, and a regular colonoscope,” MacKenzie said. “We had a gastroscope that cost $34,000, a pediatric colonoscope for $22,000, and an ordinary colonoscope for $35,000. We also bought a sterilizer for $27,000.”
The Auxiliary also supports long-term care residents in a variety of ways, including birthday visits and holiday gifts. “We supply small things for every birthday that any resident of the long-term care has,” MacKenzie noted. “They have a visitation from one of our members and a card. In addition to that, every calendar event—Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas—we deliver a plant to every patient in the hospital along with a card.”
With 48 members, the group relies on volunteers to run its many initiatives. “It takes quite a few girls to man the shop,” MacKenzie said. “We’re always looking for new volunteers.”
MacKenzie herself has been with the Auxiliary for nearly 20 years. “I started out by saying I’d help a friend. She needed a treasurer, so I said I’d do it for a year,” she explained. “And so, I’m still here. It’s very gratifying. Friendships are majorly important, and seeing the patients and just knowing that you’re doing something good for the community.”
The Auxiliary is always welcoming new volunteers. “All we ask of any member is what they can give,” said MacKenzie. “If all they can give is one shift a month, that’s fine. That’s good for us.”
To get involved, interested individuals can contact the Ponoka Hospital & Care Centre at 403-783-4431 and ask for Volunteer Services or visit the Gift Shop.
As MacKenzie encouraged, “Come and give it a try. The more success that we have, the more rewarding it is.”
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