INNISFAIL – It has been a glorious year of fundraising for the committed 17 members of the Ladies Auxiliary who diligently volunteer their time at the Innisfail Health Centre’s gift shop.
Selling gift shop products to citizens visiting friends and family members in the hospital is a small, albeit important, part of what these ladies do.
They tirelessly volunteer their time to raise money for health centre administration to purchase whatever is on a staff wish list for hospital needs but can’t be acquired through the bureaucratic channels of Alberta Health Services (AHS).
On Dec. 11 the Ladies Auxiliary hosted their annual Christmas Bake Sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“People started coming and buying at about 10:30 a.m. and so we were through at least about half of it by 11:30 a.m. Things go very quickly, which is great. We got a great response from people,” said Bonnie Cornforth, co-manager of the gift shop.
Many volunteers and hospital staff contributed with their own culinary delights, which included cookies, buns, cakes, fudge and even popcorn balls.
“A lot of people, especially the nurses and some of the staff, don't have time to bake, and so they just love it when we put one of these on because they get a variety of things, and that does the Christmas baking for them,” said Cornforth.
When the bake sale was over the ladies were proud to discover they raised $1,010.
Part of that amount may go towards new staff-suggested needs for the health centre but some must go towards maintaining gift shop operations.
“We have to have a running amount to work on for the gift shop because we have to purchase products to sell. We have to have an amount to work with all the time but anything over and above that goes back into the hospital for things they need,” said Cornforth. “They (hospital administration) usually do a wish list for us of things they're requiring, and we decide what we can do for them.”
With 2024 almost over, volunteer members of the hospital’s Ladies Auxiliary can proudly look back over the year and humbly feel just fine at what they accomplished.
AHS officials are certainly singing the praises for these dedicated volunteers.
“Our incredible volunteers generously donate their time year-round to raise funds that help provide our staff and patients with the advanced equipment needed for the highest quality care,” said Lisa Ouellette, the hospital’s volunteer resources coordinator. “Their warmth, dedication, and infectious smiles make a profound impact on our community.
“The commitment of the hospital auxiliary to our facility is truly priceless, and we are deeply grateful for all they do.”
The year ends with the health centre acquiring about $30,000 worth of valued items that were purchased in 2024 through the funds collected by the hardworking Ladies Auxiliary volunteers.
These items include:
• $16,000 raised for a cafeteria steamer;
• $1,130.77 for courtyard furniture;
• $1,000 for kids’ gift bags;
• $2,000 for two $1,000 student scholarships;
• $9,929.40 for two washers, dryer, refrigerator and six recliners;
• $3,304.58 for blood pressure device for home care, and
• $500 towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and
• $82.24 for activity bags for children waiting in emergency.
