Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre honoured its 121 dedicated Auxiliary and volunteer members at its annual appreciation luncheon held Friday, April 12th at Club Roma in St. Catharines. At the luncheon, the hospital’s Auxiliary announced its total amount in donations was $1,075,524 since Hotel Dieu Shaver’s formation in 2005.
During the luncheon, the top five time contributors were recognized along those with that assisted in creating tray favours and those that sewed wheel chairs bags for patients to store their belongings in when travelling within the hospital. The Catholic Health International Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognizes the tremendous dedication of an individual who demonstrates commitment to Hotel Dieu Shaver, was awarded to Paul Nestor, a former patient. Paul has devoted his time to the hospital’s Carpentry Shop since 2015. Paul was in a severe car accident which left him needing extensive rehabilitation.
“I enjoy creating cutting boards and bread boards with the patients that are then sold to the public to help the Carpentry Shop continue on with what it does,” says Paul. “It is a gift to see how happy the patients are to see how well they are progressing over their time at Hotel Dieu Shaver and be a small part in their healing.”
The hospital’s Auxiliary was pleased to announce their 2018-2019 contributions of $87,400. Funds raised were done so by sales in the hospital’s coffee shop and gift shop, lottery booth, bingo and 50/50 draws throughout the year. The volunteers contributed 11,209 hours in total, which equates to 5.75 full-time equivalents. Their donation allowed the hospital to purchase specialty air mattresses for wound care, patient beds, patient lifts, and a stair climber.
“The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is organized annually to express our sincere gratitude to all the individuals who give their time to make Hotel Dieu Shaver such a wonderful place of healing,” says Mary Jane Johnson, Director Communications. “Our volunteers and auxiliary contribute the highest quality of care for our patients and are truly an intrinsic part of the Hotel Dieu Shaver family.”