They are evidence Squamish women are loyal, devoted and generous, and have been for a long time.
The Squamish General Hospital Auxiliary Society celebrates 65 years of service this year. At the organization’s annual Christmas luncheon, held Thursday at the Squamish Valley Golf & Country Club, current members marked the milestone and honoured long serving members.
Leona Ingraham received a certificate and pin to mark her 50 years with the auxiliary. She originally joined at her sister’s urging and just never left, Ingraham told The Chief.
Peggy Tinney also joined the group 50 years ago, but she wasn’t at the celebration on Thursday.
The auxiliary, which today boasts about 30 members, has always raised funds — both small and large amounts— to help patients at Squamish hospital and at Hilltop House.
In 1953, a tea and bake sale was held, which netted $95.30, according to Chronological History of the Squamish General Hospital Auxiliary Society 1952 – 2017, a scrapbook created to mark the anniversary.
That year, members gave Christmas gifts to all hospital patients and homemade candy to staff.
The women have helped buy equipment for the hospital as well.
In 1973 the group raised funds for four new stretcher beds, for example.
These days the auxiliary volunteers operate the gift shop at the hospital.
In 2014, the group raised funds to purchase an infant resuscitator, a blanket warmer for post-operative patients and an intravenous fluid warmer for patients in the operating room, as reported in The Squamish Chief.
