Groves Hospital held a Volunteer Appreciation banquet here on April 13 – and the volunteers presented the hospital with a cheque for $85,000.
“It’s terrific. It’s fabulous,” said Alison Armstrong, of the hospital’s communication department of the latest gift.
“I cannot believe how much they are able to give to the hospital on a consistent basis. It’s amazing,” she added.
Groves Hospital Volunteer Association chairman Rob Gilbert explained that the group operates four businesses, and that helps. The association has two Opportunity Shops, in Arthur and Fergus, runs the gift shop in the hospital, rents televisions to patients staying in the hospital, and also benefits from sales slips from customers at L&M and Zehrs grocery stores.
The association recently completed a pledge of $500,000 for the CT Scanner. Gilbert noted that was a five year project but it was completed early. The group also raised $1-million for a digital imaging program.
There are about 250 members in the association, but Gilbert said about half of them are involved in fundraising, while others are involved in work in the hospital.
Some greet users of the CT Scanner, others help with lunches, and at the mammogram unit.
“There are a number of other places where they help staff,” he said.
About 70 members attended the banquet.
Gilbert said that four of the volunteers have been nominated for provincial awards that will be presented in Kitchener on April 29. Those members have given many decades of services to the association.
Beryl Ecclestone has served for 40 years, and Margrette Richardson, Catherine Leighton, and Anneke Wymer have each been volunteers for 30 years.
“We depend a lot on our long term volunteers,” Gilbert said, adding, “We are always welcoming new ones.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can phone Groves at 519-843-2010, extension 3206, or visit www.gmch.ca and click on the volunteer section.
