At the AGM held on March 31st, The Auxiliary celebrated our 125th anniversary! The Hospital Auxiliary is one of very few in Canada that has operated continuously for 125 years!
In January 1900, The formation of the “Woman’s Auxiliary to the Nanaimo Hospital” marked an important moment in the history of community-driven healthcare support. These women came together with the shared goal of raising funds for the hospital, an effort that was crucial in the early years, as the Nanaimo Hospital relied on local fundraising and volunteer support to provide care and expand their services.
The Auxiliary was an organization that thrived on community engagement by holding very successful bake sales, fancy dress charity balls, “Tag Days” events, and other community oriented events. The publishing of the famous “Nanaimo WA Hospital Cook Book” where the beginnings of the “Nanaimo Bar”, known as “Chocolate Slice”, was published in 1952. The recipe hasn’t changed significantly since then!
The need for community interaction remains as crucial as ever. At the heart of our operations are the Craft Group, Gift Shop, and Thrift Store, which serve as essential pillars of our mission.
These initiatives not only foster creativity and connection but also play a significant role in funding our services. Without the generous and continuous support from our community, the Auxiliary would struggle to maintain the high level of patient care that we are committed to providing.