The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Betty Fehr may have retired from health care, but she hasn't truly left it. The former nurse's aide now volunteers with the Flin Flon Health Auxiliary, helping to purchase valuable equipment for the hospital and care homes. 'I really enjoy the looks on people's faces when you do something good for them,' says Fehr, president of the not-for-profit organization. Fehr was among nearly 50 health auxiliary members from across northern Manitoba gathered in Flin Flon last Saturday, April 13. The fourth-floor boardroom of the Flin Flon General Hospital played host to the North of 53 Regional Health Auxiliary annual meeting. Members of health auxiliaries in Flin Flon, Snow Lake, The Pas and Thompson gathered to review the past year and chart a course for a successful 2013-14. 'We help each other with ideas for fundraising...and find out what everybody's been doing for the year,' explains Fehr. While health auxiliaries often operate with little fanfare, their contribution to the health of northerners cannot be overstated. Over the past year alone, the four auxiliaries spent a combined $333,530 on medical equipment, $19,000 on non-medical equipment and refurbishment, and $12,780 on community-based projects. Flin Flon had the largest auxiliary in the region with 37 active members, making it one of the biggest volunteer groups in the community. The Flin Flon auxiliary's major fundraisers include monthly 50/50 draws, a tag day and a Christmas tea. Over the past dozen years, donations from the local auxiliary have included, among others, a blood pressure machine, patient lifts, medication carts, x-ray aprons and phlebotomy carts used for bloodwork. Behind the scenes, members also sell snacks and offer reading materials to patients, host annual teas at the Personal Care Home and Northern Lights Manor, and deliver Meals on Wheels, among other activities. 'It's a very good organization to get involved with, and giving back to the community is our main goal,' Fehr says. Fehr invites anyone interested in joining the auxiliary to contact her at 204- 687-7336 for more information.
