The Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary plays a crucial role at KDH, providing volunteers for every area of the hospital and raising funds for the direct benefit of our patients.
Founded in 1959, the Auxiliary’s mission is to provide volunteer service to KDH patients, promote good public relations and assist the hospital in providing quality community health care.
What our volunteers do
You will recognize our volunteers by their red smocks working all over the hospital: at the welcome desk in the emergency department, on the inpatient unit, where they visit with patients and bring them water and snacks, and on theinterim long-term care unit, where they help with crafts, music, and more. In addition, you will find Auxiliary volunteers making the hospital garden look beautiful and working in Administration. Auxiliary volunteers also operate the Café and Gift Shop and provide comfort kits for inpatients who need them.
The comfort kits contain everyday necessities like a toothbrush and toothpaste, deoderant, shampoo, hand lotion, lip balm and a notebook. They also contain a book of puzzles and a pen to help patients pass the time enjoyably. The kits are available on an ongoing basis for any inpatients who need them and are just one example of the Auxiliary’s commitment to improving the patient experience at KDH.
Volunteer at KDH
Typically volunteers work for two to four hours at a time in the area of the hospital they choose. Prospective volunteers are asked to complete a Volunteer Application Form and have two references submit our Volunteer Reference Form. In addition, hospital volunteers must submit the results of a criminal reference check, and provide the results of a tuberculosis test as well as proof of immunization for certain communicable diseases. For more information, please email kdh_volunteer@kdh.on.ca.
How the Auxiliary raises money for the hospital
The Auxiliary has donated more than $1.8 million since it was founded in 1959. The Auxiliary raises funds for the hospital through the café and gift shop, memorial donations to the Tribute Fund (see above), and several events throughout the year. The Auxiliary’s major fundraising event is Hey Day, a giant garage sale held the second weekend in June.
The profits of all Auxiliary activities are used for the direct benefit of KDH patients, primarily through the purchase of essential medical equipment.
To learn more about the KDH Auxiliary, read –
