The Cariboo Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has started another year of volunteering and invites interested volunteers to join them.
The auxiliary raises funds in various ways, most notably by running the hospital gift shop.
“We invite interested volunteers to drop by the hospital gift shop to pick up an application form,” says auxiliary member Cynthia Wilson.
In addition to profits earned by running the hospital gift shop the auxiliary raises funds by holding raffles, silent auctions, bake sales and receiving donations.
Funds raised are use to purchase smaller pieces of equipment needed by the hospital. During the past year the auxiliary has purchased three pressure relief mattresses, seven activity boards, three neonatal stethoscopes, and two vital sign machines for the hospital.
The auxiliary also provides two $1,000 scholarships each year for young adults entering medical studies.
Some of the funds raised also help to purchase favours for patients to put on their dinner trays; supplying baby layettes for new mothers in need.
Volunteers also deliver flowers from local florists to patients.
The Cariboo Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has been operating in Williams Lake since 1923 when the first job of members was to make sheets for the hospital beds, Wilson says.
The auxiliary is currently selling tickets on their seasonal raffle. First prize is a queen-sized quilt designed and donated by Elaine Watt. Second is a framed Bateman cougar print. Third prize is a Reva Schick doll. Tickets are available at Save-On, Safeway or Walmart until Nov. 25.