The work of the Port Hardy Hospital Auxiliary is a testament to the value of volunteers in our communities.
This intrepid organization courageously started in 1962, a decade before Port Hardy even had a hospital. Or a clinic. Or a full-time physician.
But working with others, they made all of those things happen to the benefit of the town today.
Most people think the hospital auxiliary just runs the thrift store and holds a big sale at the mall at Christmas. But those activities are done for a purpose: to purchase essential equipment and supplies for the hospital, ambulance station and fire department. They have purchased more than $1.5 million in equipment over the years, equipment those medical service would otherwise have to do without. And without that equipment, the level of local medical care and service would be marginalized.
Port Hardy, and other North Island communities, owe a debt of gratitude to their hospital auxiliaries and other service clubs for the facilities they have made possible through years of dedication.
Like most service clubs, though, the auxiliary needs an injection of new volunteers to keep the work going. Look around the community. Parks, recreational facilities, hospitals, bus shelters, trails, sports organizations and much more are made possible because of volunteers. Find your passion and get involved so that all North Islanders can enjoy safe, vibrant communities.