Last week, during national volunteer week there were numerous volunteer appreciation events, including a barbecue put on by the RCMP April 19 and a celebration at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre April 18.
Joan Donald of Red Deer, an active volunteer who was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2011 for her community service, spoke during the town event.
One volunteer group, made up of 49 women is coming close to 40 years as a volunteer organization for the hospital.
Member Win Waters of the Auxiliary to the Innisfail and District Health Centre said 100 per cent of the money they raise goes back to the care and comfort of the patients.
“We know the hospital always needs money and we know we will always need the hospital,” said Waters of what encourages the women to join.
In the past five years the group has raised $85,586, and by the end of this year they expect to be at $100,000.
Charter member Donna Chadwick said the group started with a trolley of goodies that went through the hospital and grew from there.
“I remember Lee Scott, a nurse, and Brian Kelly on the hospital board called my mother and I up and asked us to help get it started,” she said of the group's humble beginnings.
Now, 40 years later, the group's main source of income is through the sales from the gift shop located inside the hospital. It's run entirely by the volunteers from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4 Monday through Friday.
They also host a beef and bun event every fall as well as a tea in the spring. That's coming up May 4 at Sunset Manor at 4 p.m. Tickets are $4.
The other big fundraiser is the quilt raffle.
Some items they've been able to purchase include seven overhead lifts, blanket warmers and monitors.
