Dear Editor:
RE: Prefers warnings, Feb. 13.
The Groves Hospital Volunteer Association is over 250 members strong. And we work entirely to support Groves hospital in the following departments: breast screening, the ER, the gift shop, help program for seniors that are hospitalized, meal delivery, education, physio therapy, wheelchair or mechanical device maintenance and, of course, the New To You store on Highway 6.
Monthly we contribute a total of over 2,500 hours, which represents 30,000 hours per year of community work directly related to health care in Centre Wellington. Though this may seem like a lot, we still need volunteers. There are still opportunities. And more coming at the new hospital.
We contribute financially to major equipment – the total for the four previous years was in excess of $250,000, which helped purchase med pumps for each patient, incubators for the neonatal unit and the list goes on and on. Our hope, Lord willing, is to be able to contribute. $1,000,000 to the medical needs in Centre Wellington over the next seven years.
I realize our society in Canada has changed dramatically over a very short time. Even government justify disobeying the law for short-term benefit or for special consideration or for financial gain. We see some act above the law because of their position – and get away with it.
There seems to be a prevalent philosophy of “if it feels good, enjoy it. If you can get away with it and not caught, then it’s okay.”
The volunteer association tends to be old school. We believe in the law; we believe there is a right and there is a wrong way of doing things. We believe in paying it forward to our community.
We try to be good stewards in our community with our time and activities and those that donate goods for resale at our store also expect us to be responsible to our commitment to financially support the hospital.
This then benefits all those coming behind us as well, the next generation and every individual within the Groves Hospital service area. I think it’s very important we respect this trust that is placed in the Groves Hospital Volunteer Association.
Paul MacQueen,
President, Groves Hospital Volunteer Association