Editor,
I have always been grateful and amazed at the number of volunteers and the depth and breadth of their involvement in the Municipality of Meaford. Since moving here in 2011, I have been fortunate to be a volunteer with the Meaford Hospital Auxiliary, an organization that grew out of the Meaford Cottage Hospital Aid, initiated by 12 women in 1942, and renamed the Meaford Hospital Auxiliary in 1943.
Activities of this founding group included cooking hospital meals on weekends, providing produce and goods from home gardens and kitchens, making jams, jellies and preserves with members’ own sugar rations, making bedding, surgical supplies and doing mending. A continuation from these early days is the Meaford Hospital Auxiliary annual bake sale, to show our appreciation of staff and to raise money to purchase much needed hospital equipment. Mending has gone the way of the dodo bird but the mission of the Auxiliary remains, “To assist the staff of Grey Bruce Health Services (now Brightshores Health System) – Meaford Site, in providing primary health care for our patients, through service and fundraising.”
In 1952 the Meaford General Hospital opened, replacing the Cottage Hospital, and additions were added in 1959, 1963, and 1993. Auxiliary members canvassed house-to-house to help fund these additions. The Auxiliary has held many different fundraisers over the years and between 1993 and 1997 donations towards hospital equipment was $94,713, in addition to a pledge of $250,000 for the 1993 addition. After amalgamating in 1999 with 4 other rural hospitals and the Owen Sound Hospital, we were incorporated in 2002, and renamed Grey Bruce Health Services-Meaford Auxiliary. In 2004 we donated $50,000 and pledged another $50,000 between 2005 and 2010 toward the MRI at the Owen Sound site, digital imaging x-ray at the Meaford site and ongoing purchase of capital equipment. Between 2016 and 2020 we again pledged $50,000 toward another MRI and in 2024 we donated $14,700 for a Bladder Scanner at our Meaford Site. In 2025 Auxiliary purchased 4 SAD Lamps (Therapy Lamps) for the Owen Sound Hospital Mental Health Unit and a vein view for the Meaford Hospital site.
In 2023, Brightshores Health System became the new name of the group of 6 hospitals (Southhampton, Wiarton, Markdale, Meaford, Owen Sound, Lions Head) previously called Grey Bruce Health Services. It is worth noting that each hospital has an Auxiliary composed of dedicated volunteers.
Our funds come from the generosity of our community as a result of a number of ongoing activities and individual donations. All donations to the Hospital Auxiliary are spent on equipment for the Meaford site or only available in Owen Sound but used by Meaford residents. Many people are unaware that the Province does not fund medical equipment nor many other items essential to the successful operation of a hospital.
This is how we raise money.
Hospital Gift Shop – Open Mon. – Fri. This shop offers lovely items and a great opportunity to shop local. For instance, stained glass maple leafs in red tones, made by a friend of the Gift Shop, are available. People also contribute knitted items and handmade cards. As well, convenors make several buying trips to Toronto to purchase new products, vary colour schemes and ensure great pricing and displays. Our new Facebook page has encouraged purchasers who welcome the opportunity to shop with 30 minutes of free parking. A proposed renovation of the Gift Shop is in the planning stage. Upon completion it will make the area more easily accessible, inviting, and ultimately improve sales.
Meet Poppa, Memory Bears – Information and order forms are available in the Gift Shop for a custom-made 16-inch bear, made by a generous volunteer, from a clothing item worn by your special angel. All funds raised are donated to the Auxiliary.
Tag Day – Each year, on the August long weekend, volunteers staff five locations to collect cash donations and raise the profile of our hospital – in Meaford: Independent Grocery Store, Tim Horton’s, Rice’s Home Hardware. In Thornbury: Foodland and Pharmasave. The public cooperates by carrying cash and donating generously to this very successful endeavour.
Supporting staff and services at the hospital illustrate volunteers’ continuing dedication to helping and caring for others. When you enter the hospital in the mornings, you will likely be greeted by a friendly volunteer who can assist in directing you to your appointment or visiting a family member. A patient visitation program was begun in 2025 and has been a wonderful success. Staff provide the names of patients who they feel could benefit from a visit, some conversation and a smile. Sometimes the volunteers feel they are getting more out of the program than the patients! We would like to extend this program and are looking for more interested volunteers to join the Auxiliary. Also, it is Auxiliary volunteers who staff the water stations at the annual Meaford Harbour 5K Run/Walk. A new fundraiser, in 2026, is the opportunity to order a Patio/Garden stool and/or ‘Goose Planter’ made by one of our talented volunteers. Information is available in the Gift Shop so you can place an order. Net proceeds go to the Meaford Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary assist with the Meaford Hospital Foundation fundraisers. Seven members participated in the Code Green Exercise, which is a hospital test of procedures in case of a need to evacuate the hospital. Role-playing patients was fun and revealed that we have some actresses among our ranks! Several members put the icing smiles on cookies for the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie program. Members fill envelopes with donation requests during the Holiday Season. We look forward to continuing to work with the Foundation and our shared goals.
At our Annual General Meeting, members who have completed various milestone years of service to the Auxiliary are given awards. It is a testament to the compassion and commitment of our volunteers to see so many receive service awards each year. We have 45 active members who selflessly donate their time and energy to helping put a shine on the community jewel that is Meaford Hospital. History proves that the community built our hospital. Volunteer activities demonstrate the ongoing pride of ownership and sustain Meaford Hospital throughout good and bad times. Sincere thanks to all those who contribute in whatever way they can.
Norah Beatty, Meaford
