Flags fly at half-mast in honour of extraordinary volunteers

File photo.

By Cecilia Nasmith

The flags flying at half-mast over Northumberland Hills Hospital Thursday, July 23, were in honour of 13 active and past NHH Auxiliary volunteers, whose service to the hospital – combined – totalled more than 197 years.

The timing coincided with the Auxiliary's annual meeting, where the volunteers were honoured, beginning with the one active volunteer from the group – Robert “Bob” McKenzie, with six years of service.

Past volunteers had some amazing numbers to their credit, such as more than half a century's service from Shirley Elizabeth Nellie Hinman and 45 years from Dorothea Lorrain Lori Wensley.

Also honoured for their past service were Margaret Helen Dillon (three years), Fay Doreen Farmer (eight years), Yvonne Green (21 years), Margaret Carrie Harrington (17 years), Susanna Marie Therese Lacroix (one year), Moira Patricia Lawrence (11 years), Kaitlin Bailey Newton (one year), Robert Stubbs (19 years), Gail S. Winstone (14 years) and Glorya Woods (one year).

In the past calendar year, some 300 Auxiliary volunteers have logged almost 35,000 hours of service across 18 service areas, beginning with that friendly face at the hospital entrance to offer a welcome and help with wayfinding.

They deliver water to patient rooms, and offer support and companionship to patients and families throughout the hospital, including the Emergency Department, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging waiting room, Intensive Care Unit, Palliative Care and Cancer Care areas.

Specially trained volunteers assist with patient therapeutic activities in the Hospital Elder Life Program, which helps prevent delirium and functional decline during hospitalizations.

They also run two retail outlets that raise money for essential capital equipment – the Little Treasure Shop gift shop near the hospital's main entrance and the Petticoat Lane thrift store at 25 Munroe St., Cobourg.

“We are so grateful for the many talented and dedicated NHH Auxiliary volunteers who give their time to support NHH patients and families,” NHH President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh said in the announcement.

“The annual flag lowering is a way to remember those volunteers who have passed this year, and to recognize their contributions to the hospital and their commitment to fostering a positive relationship with patients, families, staff, providers and partners.”