Bulkley Valley Hospital Auxiliary isn’t just a title for a group, in our community it is a volunteer group in action.
It starts with fundraising through the New To You thrift store and the hospital gift shop. There are 68 members, one having been there for 50 years and one in her 90s.
There are four young people, 14 to 17 years old, called junior volunteers (once known as candy stripers). They come in after school to help the nurses and seniors.
A junior volunteer needs to take a five-hour online course, get a criminal record check and go through orientation. After all of the steps are fulfilled they need to fill out a confidentiality form. It's a large first step into adulthood… respect.
Seventeen-year-olds can use their volunteer hours in their application to universities.
This year they distributed $263,098. They partnered with the Bulkley Valley Health Foundation and put $157,246 toward purchasing a blood chemistry analyzer
Northern Health received $91,727 from which Bulkley Lodge was able to purchase a greenhouse and bladder scanner. The hospital got two laryngoscopy units and a storage room redesign.
They also gave out six, $1,000 bursaries;
In the community they dispersed about $15,000 to Bulkley Lodge for patient comfort, i.e., nails and personal care items; Smithers BC Helps Ukraine; BV Christian School yearbook; The Northern Society for Domestic Peace; the Legion Poppy Fund; Girl Guides of Canada; the SCSA Christmas hamper program; Bethel Church (they have a space big enough to host the meetings); and the BCAHA Tribute Fund — which honours a member who passes away by donating $200 to this province-wide fund that gives bursaries to students going into the medical field.
"None of this would be happening if it wasn’t for our generous community," said Wynette McEwen, president, on behalf of the BV Hospital Auxiliary.
"It is our community who gives us the donations and buys our donations and we give the money back into the community. Talk about recycle, our community is doing it all year long.”
The New To You is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Their Annual General Meeting will be 4 p.m., January 21 at the Bethel Church. They always welcome new volunteers.
The ladies of New To You refer to their shift as going to work. Their dedication has brought comfort and care to so many. Action truly does speak louder than words.
If you have items for this column please contact sonja.lester.b.c@gmail.com or phone 250-847-4414.
