Volunteers and Auxiliaries

Ajax Pickering Hospital Auxiliary

The 172 active volunteers of Ajax Pickering Hospital Auxiliary play key roles in many aspects of the hospital’s operations, assisting in key departments and helping fundraise through the many cupcake, book and jewelry sales held throughout the year. Volunteers also helped to run other successful events, including the Rotary Ribfest and the No Frills Roundup.

The volunteers continue to drive our gift shop, the HELPP Lottery and lucrative bingos where they raise money to purchase other important pieces of equipment. This includes 20 Smart Pumps for $100,000, a rapid blood infuser for $420,500 and other important pieces of equipment for Day Surgery.

Leaders from Lakeridge Health joined the Auxiliary to celebrate its second annual June social event, presenting its members with award pins for years of service.

Association of Volunteers, Bowmanville Hospital

This past year has been incredibly busy for the Bowmanville Volunteer Association. The Association brought a new President on board, Janice Wye-Baker, and a new Vice President, David Crowe. The Bowmanville Hospital also revamped its gift shop – the Treats and Treasures Café and Gift Shop.

The Association worked diligently to update its bylaws and policies, update role descriptions, as well as expectations of volunteer leadership.

The Retail Committee focused on organizing and improving the functionality of the gift shop to better manage an increase in donations and sales. The Committee’s advertising campaign has been a great success, with the second-hand shop bursting at the seams with donations.

The H.E.L.L.P. lottery team also revamped its procedures and policies in hopes of raising $1 million in the coming months toward Bowmanville Hospital renovations.

Auxiliary of Lakeridge Health Oshawa

In 2018/19, the Auxiliary of Lakeridge Health Oshawa celebrated 112 years of service. Its 300 adult volunteers are easily recognized within the hospital and are always willing to support the hospital staff to enhance the patient experience.

Through fundraising efforts in the Café and Gift Shop along with bingo and lottery sales, the Auxiliary was able to donate a second installment of $200,000 toward its $1 million commitment for an Interventional Radiology Unit at Oshawa Hospital. Volunteers also celebrated the Auxiliary’s $1 million donation to support the new regional inpatient pharmacy serving all of Lakeridge Health.

The Auxiliary’s hundreds of student volunteers made an incredible contribution by filling vacancies over the summer in exchange for opportunities to apply for annual scholarships and potentially jumpstart a career in health care.

Volunteers impact the lives of patients every day in large and small ways. Recently, volunteers helped a patient at Oshawa Hospital celebrate her 100th birthday by supplying party favours anda cake.

The Auxiliary to Lakeridge Health Port Perry

As soon as the Port Perry Hospital reopened last September, the Auxiliary was up and running.

This past year, the Auxiliary donated $200,000 to Lakeridge Health for capital equipment in the New Life Centre and a further $107,000 for capital equipment in other areas of the hospital.

In addition to these incredible fundraising efforts, the volunteers were busy delivering water to patients, acting as reception in Day Surgery, conducting friendly visits, greeting and directing visitors, as well as staffing Camille’s Closet and Camille’s Corner Gift Shop.The shop will celebrate 50 years of service in 2019. Camille’s Closet has been a terrific success and in the past year contributed $85,000 to the Port Perry Auxiliary.

With a full slate of officers and committee members in place and 19 new volunteers, the Auxiliary is looking forward to another great year ahead.

Lakeridge Health Whitby Volunteer Services

In June 2018, Whitby Volunteer Services held its Annual General Meeting at the Whitby Yacht Club, naming a new President, Co-coordinators of the gift shop and Treasurer.

The Fundraising Committee delivered a number of events for patients, their families, staff and volunteers. For example, the annual Tree Lighting Celebration, the Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale, Ribfest, the No Frills Grocery, Easter Bake Sale and Jewelry Sale.

Whitby Volunteer Services also continued its annual scholarship program, providing two student volunteers with $1,000 to help fund their education.

Beyond raising money, volunteers oversaw the Hospitality area and welcomed patients and their families. Small gestures go a long way – whether a kind gesture or a friendly smile to those in need.

To show its appreciation for its hard-working volunteers, Whitby Volunteer Services provided volunteers with new vests embroidered with ‘Lakeridge Health Whitby Volunteer’