2008 November > Rouge Valley Health System Foundation Acknwoledges Auxiliary Volunteers

Rouge Valley Health System Foundation is pleased to acknowledge the contributions made by the nearly 300 adult and student Auxiliary volunteers to the daily life of Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital. On September 24, Beverly Carmichael, President of the Auxiliary, attended HAAO’s Region 7 meeting along with her counterparts from Bowmanville, Cobourg, Haliburton, Lindsay, Minden, Oshawa, Port Perry, Campbellford, Uxbridge, Northumberland Hills and Whitby. When asked what was on the agenda for the day’s meeting, Region 7 President Cathie Thornton replied, “How to ensure that HAAO and its organizations survive in a day of dwindling volunteers.” At Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering, Auxiliary volunteers give over 33,000 hours of their own time, not including the knitters who make bootees and a toque for each new baby born here. Members of the Auxiliary are often the first point of contact for visitors to the hospital, providing directions and answering questions. Auxiliary volunteers manage the H.E.L.P.P. lottery booth, host silent auctions and run craft, book and bake sales. The 4477 Shop in Pickering Village sells a wide variety of items—all donated—to help raise money for the hospital and for student bursaries. Last year, the Auxiliary presented bursaries to 18 students at six local high schools who will be attending university in the medical profession. For more information on volunteering, the public can contact the Auxiliary at (905) 683-2320 x5481.