Vital Hospital Group Celebrates Milestone

Photo: The Vernon Girls Hospital Auxiliary donates a horse drawn ambulance to the Cottage Hospital in 1913

A volunteer group that has been vital to Vernon’s hospital over the years is celebrating its 110th anniversary.

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Auxiliary welcomes to the public to its party from 2 to 4 pm Friday in the south entrance foyer at the hospital.

Historian May Correale — a member for 37 years — says the ‘Girls’ Hospital Auxiliary — as it was known then — began October 8, 1907 when their main purpose was sewing and mending hospital linens.

“Money was raised to buy materials and furnishings for the hospital by canvassing the community for memberships at 25 cents a person. In 1913, the first hospital horse-drawn ambulance was purchased by the auxiliary for $950,” Correale tells Kiss FM.

Correale say their membership was 327 in 1924, but only nine attended meetings.

Correale says today, their 105 volunteers enhance patient comfort, and raise funds for patient amenities and equipment.

“Our fundraising endeavors are much different from what they had in the old days. They had
soirees and gala balls and fancy teas, while now we participate in the Hudson’s Bay Giving Days,  raffles, garage sales and other events.”

Correale says the group donates an average of 100-thousand dollars a year to the hospital.

“We’re very proud of our 110 year history of caring and sharing to our hospital, and have raised over two million dollars for needed equipment over the years.”

The group provides knitted comfort items to patients such as shawls, slippers and toques for new born babies.

Correale says they have changed their name — somewhat — over the years.

“It started as the Girls Auxiliary, and then it became the Women’s later on, and now we are just the Hospital Auxiliary, but a lot of people still call us the Women’s Auxiliary. We don’t have many men members unfortunately, but we are very open to them.”

Correale says they currently have two male members.

The auxiliary also sponsors the Candy Stripers program, with about 60 youth donating time, and up to $5,000 in annual bursaries.