Image Credit: CFJC Today
ROYAL INLAND HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Hospital Auxiliary groups pledge $2.5 million to RIH over 5 years

Jul 27, 2019 | 3:37 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Royal Inland Hospital Foundation received a major funding commitment yesterday (July 26), as the Afternoon and Evening Auxiliary groups have pledged to collectively raise $2.5 million for the hospital.

The plan is to have $1.65 million come in from the Afternoon Auxiliary, and another $850,000 from the Evening Auxiliary for current patient care needs, and the equipment for the new Patient Care Tower.

“It takes a lot of work to make these kinds of goals happen”, says Afternoon Auxiliary President, Lynn Littlejohns in a release yesterday. “We pledge for the equipment according to the needs of the hospital and then fundraise to the pledge. Our goal is to always meet the commitments we made for the care that people deserve.”

(Afternoon Auxiliary volunteers)

The two Auxiliary groups have always made large financial contributions towards the RIH Foundation, as part of their goal to give back to the hospital.

The Afternoon group plans to raise their $1.65 million goal by continuing to fundraise through the Victoria Street Thrift Seller, the RIH gift store and mobile carts, and their vendor program which partners with home-based businesses who donate back 15% of their earnings.

Evening Auxiliary President Jenny Quince says the Evening Auxiliary is, “Proud of any contribution we make. It doesn’t have to be big or glamorous, but each year we do something for labour and delivery; that’s our passion,” adding, “In the new tower you’ll see our largest contribution in the labour suites and we’re really excited about it.”

(Evening Auxiliary Volunteers)

In the release, Quince says the Evening volunteers will raise money through contract work- such as leasing the on-site coffee shop, vending machines and in-room TVs at RIH as well as their annual Craft-a-Fair.

(The Craft-a-Fair, which takes over the Sandman Centre during a Sunday in November, is the largest craft fair in British Columbia)

On it’s website, the RIH Foundation offers their thanks and appreciation to volunteers pitching in to the fundraising effort, and daily operations.

Anyone interested in learning more or volunteering with an Auxiliary can reach their office at 250-314-2331.