- April: Scrap books for the years 2000 through 2006 now in Wellington County Archives
- April 14th: Groundbreaking for new CT Scan site
- April 23rd: GHVA presented with Chamber of Commerce Merit Award
2008
- May 10th: GHVA 75th Anniversary Dinner for volunteers past and present. 300 registered, of whom 270 attended.
- 2 Candy Striper uniforms and a cap, as well as a pink smock, which were on display the evening of the dinner were donated to the Wellington County Museum for their collection
- Association presented a special cheque for $75,000.00 to Groves Hospital Foundation for the new CT Scan
- Presented another cheque to the hospital for $87,500.00 towards the $1M pledge.
- Frequency of convener meetings now quarterly
- September 11th: Groves Memorial Community Hospital Appreciation Tea. Hospital presented beautiful floral bouquets to GHVA Executive members, and corsages to Co-ordinators.
- October 8th: Annual General Meeting. Pledged a total of $500,000.00 to Groves Memorial Hospital Foundation for the new CT Scan.
- Recognition of volunteers for 3, 5, 10, 15 (Isobel Orford and Lenora Arbuckle) and 20 (Tommi Roden and Donnalee Bosklopper) years of service.
- Auxiliary set up wish tree in the hospital lobby and asked people to bring an unwrapped gift for a man, woman or child of any age. Volunteers wrapped and distributed these gifts to those less fortunate in the community.
- December: In recognition of the Association’s $500,000.00 pledge, it was announced that the area housing the new CT Scan will be known as the Groves Hospital Volunteer Association CT Suite.
2007
- Oncology Unit opened in April
- $1M pledge total now $825,000.00
- 32,000 hours of volunteer time recorded
- Completed Phase 2 renovations of the Fergus Opportunity Shop (renovations to the back processing area)
2006
- Board Committees initiated
- Total number of volunteers tops 300
- Ontario Breast Screening Program added as new Clinical Program area of activity
- Shredding program discontinued
- Part-time Administrative Assistant contracted
- Creation of community video presentation, covering all areas of GHVA
- Fergus Opportunity Shop received a facelift
- Newsletter has new appearance, now published twice yearly
- October 4th: $140,000.00 presented to Groves Foundation, bringing $1M pledge total to $700,000.00
2005
- Fergus and Arthur Opportunity Shops both presented with Awards of Merit from their respective Chambers of Commerce
- Million dollar pledge total now $560,000.00
- Junior Volunteer program discontinued
- Introduction of Volunteer Appreciation program
- Introduction of new area of activity in Clinical Program: Obstetrics
- Restructuring of the program areas into 3 divisions: Patient Care, Patient Services and Fundraising
- Legislation of Patient Information Confidentiality
- Donation of hand-made quilt by “Grand Quilt Squares” for a fundraising raffle
2004
- 40th anniversary of Gift Shop
- 25th anniversary of Arthur Opportunity Shop
- Introduction of new program area: Physician Wait List Clerk
- Photo ID for all hospital volunteers
- May 19th: cheque for $450,000.00 given towards million dollar pledge
- Unisex jade green vests replaced pink smocks and green vests
- Pink smocks sent to Victoria General Hospital for their Junior Volunteer program
- Newsletter renamed ‘Connections’
- New website for Groves Memorial Community Hospital and Groves Hospital Volunteer Association: www.gmch.ca
2003
- 50th anniversary of Fergus Opportunity Shop ~ November 7
- Part-time Manager hired at Arthur Opportunity Shop
- Association given space in hospital
- Crabapple tree planted in Arboretum in memory of Connie Lovell (50 years of service)
- SARS interrupted hospital routine and volunteer services
- 70th Anniversary: 20-page newsletter published
- Initiation of police record checks
2002
- $1 million pledged to GMCH over 7 years for digital imaging equipment
- Association handed control of Blood Donor Clinic over to Canadian Blood Services in January
- Groves 100th Anniversary: On January 12, 1902, Dr. Groves opened the Royal Alexandria Hospital
- Board membership is increased to a minimum of 13
- Member Connie Lovell recognized for 50 years of service
2001
- Newly-designed newsletter introduced at Volunteer Tea
- Front of Gift Shop upgraded, and refrigerator/freezer purchased
- Manager hired for Fergus Opportunity Shop
- Mammography equipment purchased by Association installed in hospital
2000
- Association members did gift wrapping at the Fergus Market
- State-of-the-art mammography X-ray equipment purchased
- New building purchased for Fergus Opportunity Shop at the site of the former Fergus Police Station. Shop opened August 25th; purchase price $230,000
1999
- $215,000.00 donated for room upgrades and colour ultrasound and X-ray equipment
- Award of Merit presented to GHVA by the Fergus Chamber of Commerce
- 2 quilts raffled, realizing about $5,000.00
1998
- Celebrated 65th anniversary
- Name changed from Groves Auxiliary to Groves Hospital Volunteer Association. GHVA was incorporated.
- Funded a 3-year program for refurbishment of patient rooms and 1st floor Continuing Care
1997
- New Patient Education/Nutrition Program Area opens
1996
- August: First Annual Charity Antique “Show and Sell” at Richlyn Nurseries
- Door-to-door campaign raised $43,000.00 for hospital
1995
- Fergus Opportunity Shop moved to I.O.O.F. Hall on St. Andrew St.
- September: Auxiliary begins fundraising campaign
- October: Opportunity Shop moves across from old Canadian Tire Store
1994
- Auxiliary hosted Region 2 Spring Conference in Fergus; 200 volunteers from 17 area Auxiliaries attended
1993
- Laparoscopic equipment procured at a cost of $95,000.00
- 60th anniversary. Fergus mayor and hospital board members attended.
- Between 1991 and May of 1993, the Auxiliary donated $355,387.71
- Christmas in the Lobby raised $1,800.00
- Opportunity Shop, which had 72 volunteers, donated $30,000.00
1988
• $100,000.00 donated for new mammography equipment
1985
• Arthur Opportunity Shop moved to Driscoll Building
1984
• An apnea monitor purchased, as well as a bathing system for patients, at a cost of $56,000.00
• Gift Shop held mini-bazaar in lobby at Christmas
1983
• 50th anniversary of Auxiliary. Framed photograph of Mrs. J.J. Craig (first President 1933 – 1945) was presented to Auxiliary by her daughter on May 12th.
• 11 of the 16 past Presidents attended the Anniversary Tea
• Bursary Program revised to include nurses upgrading skills
• June: $32,000.00 cheque presented to hospital
• Brief history of Auxiliary written by Barbara McCallum included in “History of Fergus”, compiled by Pat Mestern for the sesquicentennial
• Opportunity Shop now on St. Andrew St.
1982
• Opportunity Shop donated $7,000.00 to Auxiliary
1981
• $25,000.00 given to help fund new Admitting, Emergency and Radiology facilities
• Started Geriatric Program in which volunteers helped with exercise program, feeding, grooming or tasks patients found difficult to do themselves
• New structure put up to house X-ray, Emergency and Admitting
1979
• $20,000.00 given for physiotherapy and geriatric patients
• Arthur Opportunity Shop opened for business
• Candy Stripers Program reorganized and name changed to Junior Volunteers
1977
• $8,500.00 toward new cardiac monitor and cryostat for Operating Room
1976
• Photo service for newborns
1975
• June: Name changed to Groves Memorial Hospital Auxiliary (Women’s Auxiliary no longer applied)
• Television service for patients: first male volunteers installing TVs 5 days a week
1974
• June: Record $7,500.00 given to hospital
1973
• 40th anniversary celebrated with a salad plate luncheon (95 attended, including Charter members)
• Membership in Auxiliary no longer required
• Mrs. Hayes presented with Life Membership in Ontario Hospital Auxiliary Association
• Gave $6,000.00 for new pocket paging system for Doctors and Senior Staff
• Fire destroyed Opportunity Shop and heavily damaged Orange Hall
• Candy Striper Program discontinued temporarily while new addition being built
1972
• Drive for membership (membership fee now $1.00)
• Resuscitation stretcher, 20 low beds, incubator, cabinet warmer, crash carts, Walker suction unit and 2 port-a-lights purchased
• Mrs. J.E. Collins was presented with Life Membership in the Ontario Hospital Auxiliaries Association
1970
• Auxiliary took over the organization and operation of Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic
• 60 Candy Stripers (Junior Volunteers) and 12 on a waiting list
• September: Mrs. Wm Hayes became Chairman of District 2, Ontario Hospital Auxiliaries Association
1969
• From 1967 to 1969 the Auxiliary contributed more than $20,500.00 to Groves Hospital
• Hospital Board began looking after Blood Donor Clinics
• Second Bursary established, open to students entering some phase of medicine or nursing
1967
• $4,000.00 contributed toward cardiac monitors, defibrillators and new glass cupboards for Operating Room
• Auxiliary planted a blue spruce and a clump of white birches for Centennial year
1966
• Church service held in the Chapel for patients and visitors; to continue the first Sunday of each month conducted by local ministers.
1965
• Auxiliary committed $10,000.00 over 3 years, with $3,500.00 devoted to furnishings for the Pediatric Ward
• New hospital wing dedicated and in service
• Fergus Opportunity Shop relocated to St. David Street
• 18 high school students gave 294 hours of volunteer service
• October: First person to receive Bursary graduated as a nurse (Carolyn Quick)
1964
• Gift shop opens
• April: Book purchased for the names for the Memorial Fund
1963
• Bursary or Scholarship Program introduced (Carolyn Quick was the first recipient)
• Establishment of the “In Memoriam Fund”
• “Candy Stripers” program introduced, 6 girls helping twice a week
• Elora Hospital Auxiliary disbanded
• January: 6 bedside tables and 6 over-the-bed tables purchased
1962
• Acquired bed screens for use in corridors, and a large urn for the cafeteria
• Oxygen and croup tents donated
• First official Historian appointed
• September: Children now permitted to visit hospital at stated hours once a week
1960
• Hospital to purchase linens. Auxiliary to continue mending.
• February: $4,000.00 put aside for ironer and extractor for laundry
• November: Auxiliary numbered 823 with 196 volunteers
1959
• Favours for patients’ trays introduced
• $4,000.00 given for the purchase of new hospital laundry equipment
• Auxiliary decided to provide a committee to work with Fergus Service Clubs at Blood Donor Clinic held twice a year
• Mrs. A. Menzies named 2nd Vice President, Region 5, Ontario Hospital Auxiliaries Association
• 2 bolts of material purchased for volunteer smocks to be made available to any volunteer wishing to purchase their own smock
1958
• Celebrated 25th Anniversary of Auxiliary. Celebration was held in the Chapel, Melville United Church, Fergus on Friday, April 11, 1958 at 2:30 p.m.
• 2,360 pieces of hospital linens were mended, and 1,481 new pieces were made
• Visitors Information Service started
• First time hospital decorated at Christmas
• Laundry equipment purchased
• Paid memberships numbered 763; 22 volunteers for different services
• Elora Hospital Auxiliary furnishing all linens and some furniture needed in Hospital Nursery
1957
• Regional Meeting held in Melville auditorium. Highlight was tour of new hospital.
• December: Purchased chairs, lamp and coat rack for waiting room
1955
• Committee formed to make arrangements for the luncheon, with afternoon tea and reception to follow, at which the Lieutenant Governor would be the guest of honour.
• Contributed $2,800.00 for Electrocardiogram and mobile X-ray machine
• November 2nd: New hospital officially opened by Hon. Louis Breithaupt, Lieutenant Governor
• Original hospital demolished
• Mrs. Hugh Templin made 2nd Vice President in Region 5 of the Ontario Hospital Auxiliaries Association
• Auxiliary presented a silver cup to the first baby born in the new hospital (mother J. Cameron)
• Women’s Ward furnished in name of Auxiliary, at a cost of $1,500.00
• Cupboards to be built in Board Room at a cost of $650.00
• October: First meeting of the Volunteer Services Committee was held. 16 smocks, grey with red buttons, were purchased.
• Feeding of patients was introduced as a new volunteer activity
• Cart was introduced for gum, candy, cigarettes etc.
• Stryker frame purchased
1954
• October: Mrs. Vallery retired after serving as recording secretary for 20 years
• Constitution for the Auxiliary was presented and unanimously approved. Provision was made for a 2-year term for all holding office except the Treasurer.
1953
• Membership fees increased to 50 cents in October
• New name for hospital: Groves Memorial Community Hospital
• Opening of the Fergus Opportunity Shop (located at Royal Cleaners)
• First meeting of Elora Hospital Auxiliary
• September: Opportunity Shop moved to location behind Matthews Drug Store
1952
• December: Plans reported for starting the Fergus Opportunity Shop
1950
• November: Monies given to provide refrigerator for storage of blood supplied by Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic
1949
• “Hospital Aid” changed to “Hospital Auxiliary”
• Plans for new hospital wing announced
1948
• Paid for installation of a bathroom on the second floor
• June: Tea held at the hospital for the first time
• Auxiliary had showcase of knitted goods and made $72.00
1946
• January: Decision made to hold all Board Meetings at the hospital
• Steam table acquired for Groves
• September: $350.00 given to Board towards screen for X-ray machine
1945
• Mrs. Walter Jackson appointed to Provincial Association Advisory Board (1945-1950)
• October: Mrs. Craig retired after serving 12 years as President. Was presented with a Life Membership.
1944
• October: Annual Meeting held at the hospital
1943
• May: Purchased 4 cribs and mattresses, as well as chairs for sewing room
• Value in money and articles donated by 1943: $6,977.25
1939
• Donated lighting for Operating Room
• Board for installation of bell system purchased
• Noted radio broadcaster Mrs. Kate Aitken spoke at one meeting
1938
• Electric sewing machine (cost $98.00) and 40 card tables purchased
• Mrs. Craig appointed to Executive of Provincial Association of Hospital Aids
1937
• January: Proceeds from sale of needlepoint stool made and donated by Mrs. Groves: $69.70
• Two members appointed to serve as Associate Members on Hospital Board
1936
- Water softener, new linens purchased
- 73 jars of fruit and pickles donated
1935
- First quilt raffle. Proceeds purchased refrigerator.
- October: Mending of hospital items begins
1934
- Lending library cart initiated
- January: Donated obstetrical table, instruments and delivery room stool
- April: First donation of wringer washer and wash tubs at a cost of $8.00.
- April: Japanese Tea Garden and Fantasia held at town hall (beautiful affair and huge success)
- June: Tea held at the home of Mrs. Welsh. Suggestion made to make this an annual event.
- October: Motion made to hold annual meetings in October instead of May
- Value of linens and articles made for the hospital: $1,477.33
1933
- First official meeting of the Hospital Aid was held on May 9th, 3:00 p.m. in Carnegie Hall, Melville United Church
- First order of business: assisting with May 26th graduation of nurses
- Need of a linen supply, jams, marmalades and pickles
- Decision made to be called “Aid” in order to be affiliated with Ontario Hospitals Association
- Membership fee 25 cents
- Sewing Committee: 25 bedspreads, 30 towels, 2 baby blankets sent to hospital
- September: First fundraiser, Bridge and Tea at home of Mrs. Groves (35 cents per person)
- Two people offered to start library
- Decision made to have a Tag Day on Fall Fair Day