PCHF | Auxiliary

Caring, Sharing, Giving.
Steadfast supporters of the hospital since 1911, the Auxiliary has kept pace with the times and is widely known in the community for its innovative and successful fundraising events.

First constituted in October of 1911 as the Ladies Aid Association, the current Prince County Hospital Auxiliary has 25 active members, 18 life members, 24 associate members and over 125 unaffiliated volunteers. Consistently the largest single contributor to the equipment fund, this dedicated group leads the way for support to the hospital.

This organization has had a long association of support for Prince County Hospital in its various forms. In fact, the founding members were instrumental in the planning and preparations for the first hospital built 93 years ago.

Their very first fund-raising project was in response to the need for fresh milk for the patients. Since in 1912 there was not a creamery in the town of Summerside, the Ladies purchased a cow for $34.00 and donated it to the hospital. This is just one of the wonderful Auxiliary stories which depicted in the beautiful quilt is being made by the Auxiliary and which will now hang prominently in the new hospital.

It seems this Auxiliary has always had a knack for innovative and successful fund-raising, while all the while relying on old standbys like bake sales and rummage sales. During the years of the first world war, for example, they hosted "Moonlight Excursions" on the SS Empress and SS Northumberland ferries between Summerside and Point du Chene New Brunswick. Not only were these events good fundraisers, there were apparently a number of marriage proposals during the cruises over the years.

Through several transformations – the most recent of which saw the amalgamation of the former Senior and Junior Hospital Auxiliaries in 1998 – the group became known simply as the Prince County Hospital Auxiliary.

During the period 1993-1999, the Auxiliary raised over $350,000 for priority equipment for Prince County Hospital. They have consistently been the largest contributor to the Foundation’s annual campaigns. When the new hospital was announced, they stepped forward with their biggest commitment ever - a pledge of $300,000 to support the rehabilitation unit at Prince County Hospital.

Auxiliary members also donate their time regularly to help the Foundation with administrative tasks they would normally have to pay for – such as stuffing envelopes in preparation for mailouts. Every year they get together to prepare the more than 9,000 envelopes for the annual campaign in September and then again for Lights for Life in December.

For those of you who don’t know what Lights for Life is – it is a wonderful fund-raiser for the hospital Foundation which last year raised over $140,000 for equipment. The idea for this event was brought to the Foundation by an Auxiliary member.

As with all other charitable organizations, Prince County Hospital Auxiliary has struggled with declining membership and increasing needs to be met. In their efforts to balance these changing dynamics, they have actively sought out new partnerships and ways of achieving their goals.

For example, they staged a volunteer campaign in 2000 which resulted in 120 new volunteers registering their willingness to help the Auxiliary with one or more of their projects.

They have contractual arrangements which bring in lease payments from the providers of the lobby coffee shop and some hospital vending machines. Most recently they purchased an automated teller machine. This long-awaited service also provides a regular revenue.

The hospital gift shop has undergone a transformation with the current Auxiliary. Now known as the Wishing Well Gift Shop, this much-needed service for patients, visitors and staff is managed by a full-time co-ordinator and staffed by dedicated volunteers seven days per week. The community beyond the hospital is also coming to know the shop as a place where quality gift items are available at reasonable prices.

The Auxiliary was responsible for bringing the important Lifeline Emergency Response service to the community. This service ensures the elderly and inform can remain in the comfort and security of their own homes, when appropriate.

Recognizing the need to encourage young people to enter the nursing profession here on Prince Edward Island, the Auxiliary established the Adele Gardiner Nursing Bursary, which provides $500 each year to a 3rd or 4th year .nursing student at UPEI.

The Baby Closet project, quietly supported by the Auxiliary, provides new hand-made or store bought baby items for the newborns of needy families.

This group is well-known for its interesting and successful fund-raisers. The popular Gem of an Evening Dinner, for example, pays tribute to a notable hospital personality, and raises over $5,000 annually.

The Mistletoe Mall held in December is a unique event designed just for kids. The Auxiliary brings in new, quality, low-priced gift items through the gift shop. Children can then shop for friends and family at the Mistletoe Mall – a one-day sale where their gifts are even gift-wrapped for them.

These are just a few of the events and projects sponsored by the Auxiliary.

The Auxiliary is constantly looking for ways of improving their fund-raising bottom line. But they never stray from their chief goal of improving the lives of patients at Prince County Hospital.

In 1937, Grace Brow Beattie – the hospital’s first Superintendent of Nursing – wrote to Harry T. Holman …. "the Ladies Aid has done splendid work of sponsoring benefits and keeping the needs of the hospital before the people." Her remarks would not be much different of the current Prince County Hospital Auxiliary, whose motto is simply – Caring, Sharing, Giving.

New members are always welcome, however membership is not necessary in order to help with events or projects.

If you would like more information on the PCH Auxiliary, please contact us online, call us at 902-432-2547, fax to 902-432-2551, or email us at info@pchcare.com.


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