NHH lowers flag in honour of Auxiliary members

Northumberland 89.7 FM fle photo.

By: Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM News

Cobourg

The Canada flag outside the main entrance at Northumberland Hills Hospital is at half-mast July 24 in honour of 19 active and former NHH Auxiliary volunteers known to have passed away over the last year.

This annual tradition is co-ordinated to coincide the the Auxiliary's annual meeting, also held July 24.

Including both in-hospital service and retail-operation volunteer hours, more than 325 Auxiliary members have logged more than 40,000 hours of service over the past year in a variety of unique and important ways that enhance patient and provider experience – greeting patients on arrival, providing wayfinding support, delivering water to patient rooms, offering a comforting presence in the Emergency Department, serving customers in the Little Treasure Shop gift shop near the main entrance, sorting and selling gently used items donated at their Petticoat Lane thrift shop, not to mention the money raised to support the hospital's capital equipment needs.

“The NHH Auxiliary is comprised of so many talented and dedicated individuals, both past and present, who have donated the most valuable, priceless thing that one human being can give – their time,” NHH President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh said in the announcement.

“The spirit of volunteerism at NHH has never been more vibrant and diverse. This is truly a testament to the strength of our community, where volunteers play a critical role in so many institutions.

“While it is always bittersweet to remember Auxiliary volunteers who are no longer with us, we are grateful to honour these individuals' contributions and the kindness that they have left behind, which i forever woven into the tapestry of NHH.”

Active members so honoured were Kim Heydie DeMattos (two years of service), Heather Diane Smith (13 years), Suzanne Marie Gibb (three years) and Elizabeth Mae “Libby” Orovan (12 years).

Past members so honoured were Evelyn Gail “Kitty” Lipa (six years), Barbara Jane Campbell (two years), Elizabeth Zavi (20 years), Daniel Lewis Parsons (eight years), Yvonne “Novie” Trevor Millar Clarkson (19 years), Edith Doherty (five years), Myrtle “Heather” Neill (seven years), Patricia Millicent Gummer (26 years), Joyce Ann Porter (13 years), Beverly Annabelle Kerr (12 years), John Robert Manning (four years), Douglas John Cunningham (11 years), Mary Agnes “May” Clark (10 years), Sylvia Rosalie Blinkley (six years) and Robert John Clement (10 years).

For more information about volunteers and volunteering at NHH, visit nhh.ca