NEWS

New Hospital Auxiliary Coffee Kiosk Encourages                    $1 Million Pledge

Feb 27 , 2009

The Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Auxiliary will open a new coffee kiosk in May 2009. Located just inside the front lobby of Strathroy Hospital, the kiosk will provide a convenient way for people to enjoy a beverage while helping the Auxiliary raise funds for the hospital.

Funding for the kiosk was made possible through a generous donation from David and Linda Powell, a well known local family with strong community ties. The Powell family feels that the kiosk will add to the Auxiliary's fundraising success for years to come.

Auxiliary President Carol Howarth and life-member Ruth Ann McGuire have spearheaded this project, and see it as an important part of Auxiliary fundraising efforts.

“I see a need for the community to support the hospital not only financially, but with their volunteer time as well,” says Mrs. Howarth.

New members are needed to help run the coffee kiosk and will work a three-hour shift every third week. The Auxiliary wants to open the kiosk daily from 8-4pm. If enough people volunteer, hours could be extended to include 6-8pm.

The SMGH Auxiliary has just completed a $400,000 pledge to the Building Together Campaign. Since 1989, the Auxiliary has raised over $1 Million for the hospital. At the Auxiliary's recent meeting, members approved a motion to support a new $1 Million pledge. The pledge is the largest in the Auxiliary's 95-year history.

“The new pledge is our long-term commitment to the purchase of new equipment which will ensure the best possible care for patients,” says Mrs. McGuire.

With well over 100 members, and tens of thousands of hours devoted to running the hospital Gift Shop and special fundraising events like the annual Tag Day in May, selling HELLP tickets, bake sales and now the new coffee kiosk, the Auxiliary will continue to raise funds to directly purchase hospital equipment.

If you would like to volunteer at the new coffee kiosk, please call Carol Howarth at 519-849-5619 or Ruth-Ann McGuire at 519-245-2499.