The auxiliary also managed a candy machine at the hospital until 2009 when government regulations changed and auxiliaries no longer qualified for a percentage of vending machine sales.
Over the years the auxiliary also sponsored many blood donor clinics as a public service.
Operating the hospital gift shop, cart service, TV rentals, delivering flowers from florists to patients in hospital, an auxiliary cookbook, annual Christmas bazaar, tea and bake sales, rummage and garage sales, silent auctions, raffles, tag days, and donations from individuals and businesses are some of the ways the auxiliary continues to provide service to patients and earn money for hospital equipment.
When the nurses’ residence was built in 1966 the auxiliary completely furnished the main living area from sitting room to kitchen. It was termed “a tremendous contribution” by the hospital board chair of the time.
Funds raised by the auxiliary support two bursaries each year to students studying in the health related field.
They also provide tray favors for patients on holidays along with a gift and a T-shirt with the Cariboo Memorial Hospital name on it for the first baby born at the hospital each year.
Between 2000 and 2009 the hospital auxiliary raised and donated more than $113,000 to Cariboo Memorial Hospital for the purchase of equipment.
Auxiliary contributions have helped to purchase IV poles, over-bed tables, night tables, magic bags, five special use chairs, nine stretcher mattresses, $15,000 in contributions toward purchase of a CT scanner, refrigerated centrifuge, two blood pressure machines, four hospital beds for home use, a neonatal fibulator, 10 electronic thermometers, two blood pressure machines, an automatic blood pressure monitoring device, two breast pumps, a graphic screen, side rail pads, and a blanket warmer.
Auxiliary members regularly participate in regional and provincial auxiliary conferences, including hosting the regional conference in Williams Lake in 1958 and again in 2003 and 2009.
On the social side of their volunteer work the auxiliary holds a pot luck supper for their June meeting and has dinner out at a local restaurant for their December meeting. Award service pins and life memberships are presented to members for long service.
