Twenty-nine special Hospital Auxiliary volunteers were honoured on April 19 in the crowded meeting hall of The Saugeen Memorial Hospital, Southampton.

3 Year Recipient - Val Marcella, Helen Tackaberry, Arlene Lethern, Karen Northey & Ron Mulchey

Awards for service to the community hospital ranged from a 3 Year Award to one for 40 years!

Coffee, cake, gifts and awards (as well as a little light hearted fun) preceded the monthly General Meeting of the Auxiliary.

10 Year Recipients - Ron Mulchey, Ann Horsnell, Barbara Barnard, Denise Choma & Val Marcella

Carol Smith, Corporate Manager, Volunteer Resources – Grey Bruce Health Services (GBHS) from Owen Sound brought a special ‘Thank You’ video made by (karaoke) staff around the GBHS. Needless to say Carol was urged to make sure those staff members do NOT give up their real medical day jobs!

Elaine Burns also took advantage of conference messaging beaming in by electronic video & bringing thanks from the (GBHS) Executive Council - reiterating the message, ‘You are truly good people.”

Ron Mulchey, representing The Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, brought entertainment in the form of new jokes - as well as words of encouragement for past equipment purchases by the Auxiliary and those new ones to come.

Val Marcella, Program Director at the hospital also entertained “... I usually sing when I have the microphone.” She also spoke of material changes coming to the hospital (hopefully) during the summer months.

Dorothy Wilkie (L) & Val Marcella get down to business by cutting the cake

The star of the show was – Dorothy Wilkie 40 Year Award Recipient – who also admitted liking a microphone as she regaled the crowd with stories of volunteer years past.  

40 Year Recipient – Val Marcella, Marilyn Wilkie (Candystriper), Dorothy Wilkie (40), Ron Mulchey (Foundation) & Sharon Thede (Daughter in Law)

Dorothy was volunteering when her daughter (Marilyn Wilkie) was one of the first hospital Candystripers. Today Dorothy was honoured not only for those 40 years but for continual support of the Auxiliary and a role model for her daughter in law (Sharon Thede) and Marilyn.