Alice Campbell believes the Mission Health Care Auxiliary Society might be the best-kept secret in Mission.
“It just seems that when you speak to people on the street, they don’t know about us,” said Campbell, president of the non-profit group.
While people may not know what the society does, they do interact with the more than 140 volunteers on a regular basis.
The society runs the Cottage Thrift Store on First Avenue, as well as the gift shop at Mission Memorial Hospital and offer many other services.
And all of the money raised goes back to helping the hospital.
“We are all volunteers. We have no paid employees. We support the hospital – that is where our focus is.”
The thrift store was recently expanded and Campbell said since the expansion, “our sales have just increased enormously … It’s been phenomenal.”
But how does the society spend the
money it raises?
As Campbell explained it, the hospital provides a “wish list” and the volunteers get to work.
In 2015, the society committed to raising $300,000 for new ultrasound
equipment for Mission.
“We couldn’t come up with $300,000 in one shot so we committed to paying $100,000 a year for three years,” Campbell said.
“We were excited to commit to this because it’s helping our community, but it’s also helping the valley.”
The society was true to its word and recently presented the hospital with the final $100,000 donation to pay for the equipment.
As well as raising funds, volunteers from the society work at the reception desk at the hospital.
“We are the friendly faces at the front.”
The society also supports The Residence in Mission (TRIM). TRIM is run by Fraser Health and is a three-storey residential care home organized into eight neighbourhoods. There are 25 people in each neighbourhood.
Campbell said volunteers help support bus trips, entertainment and other activities for the residents. They also run special events, including Christmas gatherings and Remembrance Day celebrations – to
name a few.
“It’s all about giving back to the community.”
Campbell first became involved with the society 11 years ago.
“When I was approached, I just thought this is something I’d like to do.”
She began by volunteering at the hospital, renting TVs to patients.
“I get in touch with every patient on that floor and you just chat with them. I’m a fairly social person. It’s just a pleasure working, talking to the patients, being there and you get to know them.”
She said the group is always looking for new recruits. Volunteer applications are available at the hospital gift shop and the Cottage Thrift Store.
New potential volunteers are interviewed and a police check is also required.
“I can’t say enough about our volunteers,’ she said.
“We are a group of old ladies, but we have young thoughts. We’re all committed. You think about the 140 volunteers; they wouldn’t be doing this if they weren’t committed. They believe in what they’re doing.”
For more on the Mission Health Care Auxiliary Society visit:
missionhealthcareauxiliary.wordpress.com