The Bulkley Valley District Hospital held an appreciation dinner on Oct. 28 to thank local hospital auxiliary volunteers who raised $314,000 this year.
The dinner is an annual event, however, because of the pandemic, the last one was held in 2019.
About 65 out of 80 volunteers attended the dinner.
The auxiliary has been supporting the hospital since 1920.
Their contributions over the last century have allowed the hospital to purchase equipment and improve patient care.
“It’s hard to imagine the programs that we have, and the different clinical departments [without the auxiliary], it’s hard to imagine every department, there’s pieces of equipment that wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the auxiliary,” said local health services administrator Cormac Hikisch.
In 2023, the auxiliary contributed $160,000 to the hospital’s chemical analyzer campaign as well as funding the purchase of $154,000 worth of other equipment.
The auxiliary collects most of its funds from running New to You, a thrift store in Smithers.
On average, they donate $150,000 annually to the hospital.