NHH Auxiliary is still going strong, as measured in both hours of service and dollars raised
NHH Auxiliary Board. Photo courtesy of Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
By: Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM News
Cobourg
Buoyed by recent successes, the Northumberland Hills Hospital Auxiliary has pledged $250,000 to the hospital for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
This was among the highlights of the group's July 24 annual general meeting, following news of the successes of their two retail operations.
The Little Treasure Shop, the gift shop located near the hospital's main entrance, increased their annual sales by 11% for an overall contribution of $67,000 in the last fiscal years. Over its 67-year history, this brings their total dollars raised to more than $1.3-million.
Petticoat Lane, their Cobourg thrift shop, has seen annual sales increase by 6% for an overall contribution of $155,000 in the last fiscal year, Over its 57-year history, this brings their total dollars raised to almost $3.1-million.
Collectively, the auxiliary has raised $5.4-million during its 101-year history, of which more than $3.7-million has been raised since the doors opened at its current location at 1000 DePalma Dr., Cobourg.
The $225,000 donated in the past fiscal year supported the purchase of new privacy curtains to surround patient beds. In addition, the auxiliary awarded its annual Dixie Mikel Scholarship to student volunteer Jacob Kim.
In addition to the fundraising, the auxiliary shines for its hands-on service, as highlighted by NHH Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh, who estimated its hours of time volunteered over the past year at NHH is more than 42,0000 hours.
“That's 129 hours per year per volunteer (on average) or 10 hours each a month,” Walsh said.
“That is incredible! We are truly in your debt.”
And retiring President Selena Forsyth added that, thanks to on-going recruitment efforts, this body now stands at 325 members to support in-hospital and retail activities.
Welcoming successor Rick Riley, Forsyth said that this year marked 23 years of service with the auxiliary for her.
“I started at the legacy Cobourg site and spent the majority of my volunteer time here at NHH. In that time, I've had the opportunity to volunteer in almost every area of the hospital. I have an immense gratitude for all I've had the opportunity to volunteer with,” she stated.
“When my successor, Rick Riley, takes up the President's gavel, I'm looking forward to continuing my service in the capacity of your Past President in the 2025-26 fiscal year. Thank you for the privilege to serve, and the kindness, as we work together to make NHH as exceptional as it can be.”
In addition to Forsyth and Riley, the 2025-26 auxiliary board includes Vice-President Deb Smelko, Director of Business Services Susan Spicer, Director of Finance Richard Holland, and Directors at Large Marilyn Routly and Karen Lingard, with Derrick Cunningham serving as Recording Secretary.
The meeting concluded with 31 volunteers recognized for long service.
40 years – Delia Catton
25 years – Fran Varden-Ruttle
20 years – Roberta Armstrong, Sharyl Ann Milligan
15 years – Merise Ash, Linda Currie, Winnie Finnie, Erma Fraser, Catherine Holmes, Lisa (Teresa) Irving, Carol Johns, Norma Stoffers, Eleanor Vardy, Penny Watson
10 years – David Broome, Teresa Finch, Lynda Hart, Jean Irvine, Jim Keill, Susan Keill, Joan Kemp, Sandi MacDonald-Wangen, Lynda Macklin, Linda Russell, Mary Woods
5 years – Frank Burns, Bas (Basil) DeMattos, Deirdre Finnan, Wendy McAllister, Barbara Pemberton, Debbie Reid and Rita Zeran
For more information about the auxiliary – including available opportunities, news updates and volunteer applications – visit the Auxiliary page at nhh.ca
