The Auxiliary of Lakeridge Health Oshawa

Background

The Auxiliary of Lakeridge Health Oshawa (ALHO) traces its roots back to 1907 when Adelaide McLaughlin and seven visionary women canvassed the area to raise funds for land to build a hospital in Oshawa. The spirit of these women lives on today, as the Auxiliary plays a crucial role in fundraising for vital equipment and infrastructure improvements at the Oshawa Hospital.

Commitment to Community

Over the years, the Auxiliary has donated more than $14 million to enhance patient care, with recent contributions of $1 million each for a new pharmacy and Interventional Radiology department, as well as over $1 million to the Durham Regional Cancer Centre (DRCC).

Governance and Volunteer Involvement

The Auxiliary is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers registered with Volunteer Resources. These volunteers, easily recognized by their blue smocks, volunteer in many areas of the hospital, including the DRCC, dialysis, breast assessment, fracture clinic, endoscopy, day surgery, emergency, ultrasound, and hospitality.

Supporting Patient Care

The Auxiliary fosters a warm and hospitable environment for patients and their families. Volunteers provide comforting supports such as an activity cart for the Emergency Department, and distributing teddy bears donated by the Calendar Club at the Oshawa Centre to brighten the spirits of young patients.

Retail Outlets

The Auxiliary is well known for its two primary fundraising retail outlets:

Gift Shop

Located in the hospital’s main lobby, the Gift Shop offers a wide range of seasonal gifts, fresh flowers, nightwear, purses, newborn items, cards, magazines, books, and popular clothing items. Open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Gift shop is a favourite among staff, physicians, patients, families, and visitors.

Auxiliary Café

Just around the corner from the G Wing elevators, the Auxiliary Café serves a variety of delicious options, including muffins, sandwiches, freshly baked cookies, butter tarts, and the very popular rice krispie squares. Offering a selection of flavoured coffees, hot chocolate, and a variety of soft drinks, in addition to spinach and sausage rolls baked daily on-site, the Café is open Monday to Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Fundraising Efforts

Auxiliary volunteers also assist with the Delta Bingos held in Pickering, with proceeds directed towards purchasing hospital equipment. Recent initiatives include funding for eight planters in the hospital’s main courtyard, which provide live floral arrangements throughout the year.

Another popular annual fundraiser is the basket raffle, along with a Summer Cool draw, which was introduced in the spring of 2024.

Volunteer Engagement

The Auxiliary hosts several General Meetings throughout the year, providing a platform for volunteers to socialize and connect. Although activities were limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, these meetings resumed in the spring of 2023.

Join Us

The Auxiliary welcomes anyone interested in volunteering and provides strong support for both new and long-serving volunteers through the volunteer coordinators in each area. Our volunteers are integral to the hospital’s operations and funding, and their friendly smiles and helping hands are valued by patients, families, staff, physicians, and visitors alike.