Women’s Auxiliary Raises Nearly $70,000 in Donations Through

Despite the many changes brought about by the Quebec government in 2015, the Chateauguay Valley Women’s Auxiliary still solely supports the Barrie Memorial Hospital in Ormstown.

Their fundraising efforts are essential to the hospital. Every year, the organization aims to raise anywhere from $200,000 to $250,000 for the hospital, depending exclusively on the generosity of the community. “There are so many generous donors throughout the valley, which is how the Auxiliary is able to provide better services and improved comfort for the patients of our hospital,” said membership committee co-chairman Eleanor Finlayson.

Thanks to membership enrolment alone in 2015, the Women’s Auxiliary raised $67,118.72, with funds going towards replacing old patient telephones and the upgrading of room televisions. Each community contributed significant amounts to the organization through the non-profit’s annual membership campaign. The results for 2015 are as follows:

 Huntingdon and surrounding area (406 members) contributed $9,823.05; Ormstown (584 members) contributed $11,843.10; Howick, Aubrey and Riverfield (303 members) contributed $7,460.50; St. Chrysostome (468 members) contributed $8,150; Franklin (273 members) contributed $7,942; Dundee (101 members) contributed $3,104; Hemmingford (347 members) contributed $11,641.07; Dewittville (98 members) contributed $3,149; Covey Hill and Havelock (33 members) contributed $1,400; Lac de Pins contributed (no present members) $1,200; while a table at the November Bazaar effort raised a total of $1,406. It is important to note that membership fees are only three dollars, meaning that donations far exceeded the cost of membership due to the generosity of the community. These funds do not include the monies raised outside of membership efforts, which has not yet been totalled for the year. These additional funds are the result of year-round fund-raising activities such as the WA’s July 1st BBQ, Pie Day in October and the November Bazaar.

Currently headed up by president Louise Labelle Rollin, the Women’s Auxiliary is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing equipment and services to benefit both the staff and patients of the Barrie Memorial. Established in 1946, the Women’s Auxiliary currently houses a small number of executive members, with approximately 2,648 contributing members (those that pay per year to contribute).

Always looking for volunteers, the Women’s Auxiliary will be holding their general meeting in April 2016.