LaVerendrye General Hospital Auxiliary

The LaVerendrye General Hospital Auxiliary is a volunteer organization affiliated with the Hospital Auxiliary Association of Ontario (HAAO).  It was formed in 1952, ten years after the Hospital officially opened.  The primary activities of the Auxiliary are fundraising and patient services.

There are three general membership meetings per year, held in March, September and December in addition to the Annual General meeting held in June.  The executive meet on a monthly basis with the exception of July and August. A newsletter is sent to members in February, May and October.

Since its inception the Auxiliary has donated over 1.3 million dollars for the purchase of equipment for the hospital.  The largest donation was $500,000.00 for the Care Close to Home Campaign.  The Auxiliary recently pledged $70,000.00 to the Picture This Campaign.

The Auxiliary provides teddy bears for children in E.R., tray favours for patients who are in hospital during holidays, hats for newborns and emergency care kits for patients who come to the hospital in an emergency and don’t have basic toiletries with them.  The Auxiliary also sponsors a Staff Appreciation Tea for the hospital staff once a year.

President

Irene Lang 

Fundraising

Activities include the Strawberry Social which has been running since 1955, the Fall Tea, a Lobby Sale, the Christmas Cash Draw and the Rock-a-thon which is held in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce Trade Show.  The Auxiliary also operates a gift shop and sells break-open tickets. 

Gift Shop

Open Monday to Friday from 12 pm to 3:30pm  The  Auxiliary also operates 2 vending machines near the emergency department  and one in the cafeteria.

Membership

Fees are $12.00 per year and are available at the Gift Shop and at Auxiliary meetings and functions.  There are many volunteer opportunities are available including working in the gift shop,  selling break-open tickets in the lobby, serving on the executive, craft making, knitting for the shop, baking for bake sales, working at the various functions, phoning, cashiers, and making up emergency kits. New members are always welcome.

Contact

Memberships, – Marnie Cumming 807-274-3368  mcumming@fortfrances.com