Celebrations in Ellerslie

Members of our Auxiliary hold the executive position on the Prince Edward Island Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries for the 2013-15 term.  Tomorrow the PEIAHA celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a special meeting and lunch at the Royal Canadian Legion, Ellerslie.

The Journal Pioneer did a great article on the anniversary and the PEIAHA that you can read here.

Always Generous

Thank you to everyone who supported our Valentine's Dance at the Ellerslie Legion in February.  Due to the generosity of those who bought tickets for the dance, raffle and 50/50, the Auxiliary was able to raise over $2,400 for Stewart Memorial.  That is a lot of money for a small community, so a big thank you for your support.

We also would like to thank those who donated the following prizes:

Raffle

1. Pine coffee and matching end tables donated by Craig Construction and Cabinetmaking
2. Two nights accommodation for two with breakfast and dinners donated by the Rodd Mill River Resort
3. 12-can case of lobster donated by Fred and Jean Kuhn
4. Computer task chair donated by HMS Office Supplies

Door Prizes

• Atlantic Superstore, Summerside
• Bulk Barn, Summerside
• The Co-operators, Summerside
• Dennis Motors, Ellerslie
• Dillon's Convenience, Tyne Valley
• Ellerslie Rite Stop
• Evangeline-Central Credit Union, Tyne Valley
• Ferguson Funeral Home, Tyne Valley
• Gentleman Jim's, Summerside
• Oscar and Nina Howell
• Loyalist Lakeview Resort, Summerside
• Murphy's Pharmacy, Tyne Valley
• Pizza Delight, Summerside
• Sandra's Hairstyling, Ellerslie
• Sobeys, Summerside
• Town 'n Country Carpet One, Summerside
• White Oak Winery, Summerside
• plus four anonymous donors

Raffle and Door Prizes

A big thank you to those who made food for our lunch.  Our dance has a great reputation, and the lunch is a big part of that.  You are all asked to give often to so many great causes, so thank you for all you do.

A very special thank you to Shelly Campbell, decorator extraordinaire!  She had decorated for a Valentine's event at the Legion the previous weekend and kindly allowed us to use those same decorations for our dance.  She is always so willing to help our Auxiliary and her skills always make our events special.

Well done, everyone!

Doreen Wooder getting ready.

50/50 Bear

50/50 Bear's Assistant Doreen.  That's a lot of raffle tickets!

Heavy Hearts

Our beloved Dr. Madigane passed away last night.  It is difficult to remember a time when she wasn't a part of the Stewart Memorial family and the Tyne Valley community. Our hearts are heavy with this sad news.

We have decided to postpone our annual Valentine's dance that was scheduled for Saturday, February 8 at the Ellerslie Legion and hold it on Saturday, February 22.

A Facebook photo album of some pictures from Dr. Madigane's time at Stewart Memorial can be viewed here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.645687212160052.1073741829.461079150620860&type=3

Dr. Joyce Madigane

Dancing Time Again

As of this month, our group is in its 64th year of fundraising for Stewart Memorial!

We've held lots of different types of events over the years, but none any better supported than our annual Valentine's dance.  We actually took this event over from the SMH Board when it was dissolved in 1995 and it has been a great fundraiser for our group.

Here are the details for this year's event:

Proceeds from the dance will be used to purchase items needed for the care and comfort of Stewart Memorial residents.  Hope to see you there!

New Name, Same Mission

First we were the Ladies Aid of the Stewart Memorial Health Centre.  Then we were the Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, though many still referred to us as the Ladies Aid (and "Ladies" never seemed to have an apostrophe - sorry, grammar police!)

As of October 21, 2013, we are the Stewart Memorial Healthcare Auxiliary.  Our members not only voted to change our name, we affirmed our commitment to support healthcare initiatives in the Tyne Valley area.  Stewart Memorial is now a long term care facility and its residents still need our support, so we will continue to raise money to purchase items for their care and comfort.

January 2014 will be our 64th anniversary and we are very pleased to still be working together on the common goal of good healthcare for all our neighbours.  The changes to Stewart Memorial have been challenging, but we are hopeful for the future and proud of our past.

In the very near future is our Annual Christmas Tea and Bazaar! It will be held on Wednesday, November 20th from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Tyne Valley Fire Hall, 7078 Route 12 in the beautiful village of Tyne Valley.  Come and enjoy an afternoon tea complete with delicious sandwiches and sweets, tea and coffee, and shop at our bountiful bake and craft tables.  This has been a Tyne Valley tradition for over 45 years!  Admission is $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for students and children under 6 get in free.  This is a much-anticipated event each year and a great place to see old friends and perhaps meet new ones!

So, that's our news.  We're still here, we're still needed, and we still value your support. Thanks!

Two Big Fundraisers

The one constant theme over our 63 years of fundraising for Stewart Memorial Hospital has been the generosity of our supporters.  We've held many different types of events over the years, but raising funds is only possible when people come out and give us their money!  It's a simple transaction, but powerful.

Our two recent fundraisers have raised a lot of money for our hospital and that's what we are all about!  The Sweetheart Dance, moved from near Valentine's Day to March due to a nasty February storm, brought in $1,200.  Then our Spring Concert earlier this month raised $1,100!  What an amazing show of support from our community, and thank you to everyone who gave so generously.

The Spring Concert was a really fun evening filled with great music and lots of laughs!  Many thanks to the members of Harmony Mill, The Sisters,  Roy MacCaull, Wanda (Annie) Dunbar, and our special guests from The Britannia Hall Players (and great Auxiliary members all) Kim Dennis, Cindy Gorrill and Pam MacKinnon - their Mabel, Sally and Gertie were a big hit!

We also had lots of people who generously donated items for raffles, door prizes, and fudge and water sales.  Thanks to all!

Details about our next fundraiser will be coming soon - we'll give you a break for now!

Music and Laughs for a Spring Evening

Harmony Mill

The third annual Spring Concert for Stewart Memorial Hospital will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. at Britannia Hall, 816 Canada Road in Tyne Valley.

Concertgoers can expect an evening of diverse and excellent entertainment. The Harmony Mill Band will blend their guitars and voices on a few numbers.  Local musical hero Roy MacCaull will also put his guitar and great voice to work, and as a special treat he is going to bring to life some of his own musical heroes.  Singing trio The Sisters will offer up a couple of their favourite songs.

Word has reached concert organizers that their friend Annie will be visiting from Way Up West to give her own unique and funny take on life.  And a couple of ladies from the beloved Britannia Hall players are promising to add some fun and humor to the evening as they poke fun at recent current events!  There will also be a fudge sale, 50/50 and a raffle draw for a beautiful hand-knit afghan.

Concert tickets are $7.50 and will be available at the door.  Please join us to have some old-fashioned fun in the historic and beautiful Britannia Hall and support our wonderful Stewart Memorial Hospital.

The Stewart Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has been fundraising for 63 consecutive years.  Members continue to raise thousands of dollars each year to purchase items for the care and comfort of hospital patients and residents.