This year, we were very happy to award a total of $9,000 in bursaries and scholarships to 9 students.

Junior Volunteer Bursary $1,000 –  awarded to a student who is resident on Salt Spring Island has entered a health care related field.

Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship $2,000 – shared this year by 2 recent Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) graduates who aim to pursue health-care courses of study.

Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary Second Year Scholarship $2,000 – shared this year by 2 students in post secondary health-care courses of study who originally received a Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship last year.

Continuing Education Bursary $2,000 – shared by 2 students who originally graduated from GISS and are currently enrolled in post secondary health-care courses of study.

Back to School Bursary $2,000 – shared this year by 2 mature students who graduated more that 5 years ago from high school, are residents of SaltSpringIsland and are returning to post secondary studies in a health-care field.

The Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary Society is happy to announce that their Thrift Shop at the Upper Ganges Centre is re-opening for business on Tuesday, January 15^th after a major renovation and clean-up over the Christmas holiday period.

The Thrift Shop has been in operation at this site since 2003 and was overdue for a major overhaul. We wish to thank our landlord for making this renovation feasible. Work started with replacement of the floor by the crew from the Upper Ganges Centre Ltd. This provided the opportunity for a complete re-painting of the interior and re-organization of various sections of the store.

Working with the auxiliary Thrift Shop Committee, volunteer Renée Kreeft provided expert design and colour advice. Deb’s Painting did a wonderful job in a remarkably short timeframe.  All this was done within a very limited budget, reusing most of the original fixtures in the store and utilizing the considerable energy of our volunteers and assorted husbands.

With a much more attractive store, it is hoped that more customers will be encouraged to shop at the Thrift Shop. As well, volunteers will find it a more pleasant place to work.

This Thrift Shop is the major source of funds for the Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary Society. Each year, the auxiliary donates well over $100,000 and invaluable personal volunteer support to theLadyMintoHospital, Greenwoods Complex Care Facility and the Braehaven Assisted Living Facility. Last year, the auxiliary also donated $25,000 to the Mayne Island Mayne Island Health Centre Association (MIHCA) to help them complete their emergency room expansion.

The Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary Society enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Meaden Hall on Dec. 5, 2012 catered by Dinner’s Ready.  More than 90 auxiliary members attended.  It was also a good opportunity for members to pay their annual membership dues ($7.00) for 2013.

At their June General Meeting, the Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary Society presented a $25,000 cheque to the Mayne Island Health Centre Association (MIHCA) in response to their appeal for funding to help them reach their goal of $100,000.  This money is needed to expand the Mayne Island Health Centre emergency room wing to include a dedicated emergency area, a separate treatment/ isolation room and appropriate storage. They are “bursting at the seams” and urgently need more space and improved critical care facilities.   MIHCA had already raised $75,000 over the last year and with the donation from the Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary Society, they will now be able to proceed with their plans for an expanded Medical Centre.

We enjoyed a wonderful volunteer Lunch on May 2nd catered by Bruce’s Kitchen.  Many thanks to the Lady Minto Hospital, VIHA  and the Greenwoods Eldercare Society for a very special event for 69 Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary Society volunteers.