THE PULSE

    THE PULSE       DECEMBER 2012

NOTE:  I am not attching this as a pdf file.  This means the photos you saw in your email copy will not appear in this copy - just all those wonderful words!

DELTA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY SOCIETY LUNCHEON

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2012

AT THE TOWN AND COUNTRY INN

6005 HIGHWAY 17     $20.00 PER PERSON**        11:00 AM Reifel Salon

Mingle – Network – Connect                                   12:15 Luncheon

Please remember to bring a food bank donation

PRESIDENT:  Beryl Matthewson     

President’s Report

Past President Katherine Sawycky and I have been actively representing Delta Hospital Auxiliary on a Project Steering Committee to examine the future role of Delta Hospital within the Fraser Health Region. The demographics of Delta suggest an increase in population of 1% per year with 25% being over the age of 65. Illnesses associated with this population are primarily Dementia and Cardiac, suggesting that our Residential Care Facility will also need to double in size and update its capabilities in the next ten years. A business proposal is being finalized for presentation to the Provincial Government before the end of this year. The estimated 11.5 million dollars needed to expand both the Laboratory and Diagnostic Imaging Departments would be split between the Auxiliary, Hospital Foundation and Fraser Health Region.    

            There are seven Auxiliary branches: Gift shop, Thrift store, Lifeline, Café, Office, Hospital Unit and Ways and Means. The last of these is involved with participating in community events such as the Wellbrook Winery Festival in July or the Ladner Sunday Market Days.  Both helped to enhance our profile this summer.

            The Wall of Honour for Lifetime Auxiliary members has been set up in the main Hospital corridor. We are very proud that one of those volunteers, Joan High, was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in September for her 40 years of service to the community.

 Our Auxiliary was able to accomplish many of its objectives and purchase much needed equipment for Delta Hospital. The new digital Mammography equipment was finally installed and the Emergency waiting room chairs were replaced in the spring. New TVs have been placed in both patient waiting rooms and the staff education center. Flat Panel Monitors are now in all three operating rooms and the Physiotherapy Department has a top of the line exercise unit for the Medical floors. Two four-bed rooms have been established where the Social Work offices once were and have been equipped with ceiling lifts to enhance staff safety. The Auxiliary has also purchased transfer wheel chairs and new furniture for Mountain View Extended Care Facility.  A beautiful sign recognizing the Dogwood Gift shop and Courtyard Cafe now graces the entrance to Delta Hospital and, because the Hospital Auxiliary Thrift store was in dire need of expansion, the adjacent property, formally the Dog and Pony, was purchased in September. So as you can see, it has been a busy nine months and we all look forward to the opening of the Auxiliary Christmas Store.

Beryl Matthewson, President

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LEST WE FORGET:      REMEMBRANCE DAY NOVEMBER 11th

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VICE PRESIDENT:  Marilyn Jones

Since my inauguration earlier this year, I have been faced with many new challenges.  The purchase of the Dog and Pony, although well supported and smoothly completed, was new territory for me.  Meeting with banks and lawyers was uncomfortable, a little worrisome and somewhat intimidating.  Working through some personality issues with volunteers at the Thrift Store was upsetting to all involved and reinforces how important a respectful workplace can be.  Learning about the Foundation and the Fraser Health Team demonstrated the true business side of health care and the importance of our role.

Along with the challenges came opportunities.  It has been wonderful to meet and get to know so many dedicated Auxiliary volunteers.  It was fabulous to be part of the October Collectible Sale and watch the Christmas Store come together.  It was wonderful to meet the Wellbrook Winery Team and celebrate their success and, it was inspirational to spend more time in the Hospital, seeing the day to day activities of our Auxiliary and meeting the dedicated volunteers that support the Hospital in so many ways. 

I am quite sure the year ahead will be filled with many more challenges and opportunities.  With your support I look forward to the New Year and hope I can represent the Auxiliary in a positive, caring and thoughtful way. 

Thank you.

I like to end our year with a recap of our financial accomplishment. Every year when it comes time to draw up this list, I become even more humbled! I love knowing (in dollar and cents) what we have achieved. Here goes!

$40,000.00.        Life line units

$2,700.00.           Televisions for ER, Surgical day care and Education room

$875,000.00.      Purchase of Dog and Pony

$40,000.00.        Hospital site plan preparation

$15,000.00.        Chairs for the waiting room and triage area of hospital

 $10,000.00.        Trailer for storage

$1,000.00.           Photo display units

$10,000.00.        Bursaries

$36,000.00.        Music therapy

$2,000.00.           Flower program

$20,000.00.        ECU recreation program

$12,000.00.        Education...conferences, courses etc

$10,000.00.        Insurance

$6,000.00.           Accountant (for yearly review)

$27,000.00.        Flat panel wireless roll stand monitors and transmitters

$42,000.00.        Hospital beds, over table and night stand for Room 106

$1,000.00.           Wheelchairs for residential care

 $3,000.00.           Telephone network for 1 North

$5,000.00.           Furniture for great room, residential care

$85,000.00.        Ceiling lifts for Room 106, 107

$39,000.00.        Phaco hand pieces 6

$500.00.              Laboratory reference books

Drum roll here please.........I can't find my calculator! Grand kids!
Hope this is a handy brag list! Hats off to us all. This is a financial only list. Not taking into consideration the countless hours we give, the happiness we distribute, the smiles, the laughter, the kindness, the caring.....the volunteer!

LIVE SIMPLY....  LOVE GENEROUSLY...

CARE DEEPLY...   SPEAK KINDLY...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

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COURTYARD CAFE: Dave MacMillan

CAFETERIA CHATTER   from Roberta Chaffe, Cafe Manager

As the cold weather approaches, I am reminded what pleasure can be taken in a bowl of hot soup!  I can’t tell you what pleasure it brings to us to erase a cold chill with a warm smile and a cup of coffee.

At this time in the cafe, we are focusing on heartier lunches such as stews and pasta, warm paninis and plenty of soup.  We always have fresh sandwiches and salads available as well.  A weekly menu is posted outside the cafe and it is also distributed throughout the hospital.  (CAFE Daily Specials are now being posted on our website under the NEWS AND EVENTS column:  www.deltahosptailauxiliary.org  )

Our day to day operations are made a lot easier with the support and suggestions of our new cafe coordinator, Dave McMillan.  He is a pleasure to work with.  Look for the man with the blue smock, big smile and quick wit! Welcome, Dave!

Patricia Lim has been with the CAFE for four years.  She is an amazing employee and I’m sure you have all been on the receiving end of her great smile and efficiency.  Keep up the good work Pat!  Personally, I am thrilled to be completing my second year with the Auxiliary.  I look forward to coming to work each day and seeing all your smiling faces!

We look forward to you visiting us soon. Your business is a vital part of our continued success.

Please stop by with any comments or suggestions you might have for us.

Roberta Chaffe, CAFE Manager.

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Children’s Letters to Santa Claus:

Why do you always say HO HO HO? Don’t you have anything else to say? – Harold.

I want one of everything you got.   – Morris

You don’t have to give me anything for Christmas. Just leave something for all the other days. – love George.

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GIFT SHOP:  Margot Millen, Past Coordinator

DOGWOOD  GIFT  SHOP       FALL 2012

It has been another stellar year in our Gift Shop. Not only are we the talk of our Community but also of the Healthcare system in B.C. Margot has been asked by Langley Memorial, Lions Gate, Peace Arch and Women’s to consult on “how we do it”.

Margot (giftware), Pat (handbags) and Kathy (jewelry) attended two very successful Toronto Gift Shows. Buying the merchandise is just the beginning of a very laborious and time consuming job for the buyers. When the merchandise arrives, it must be inventoried and each item priced and then displayed appealingly on the shelves. We always need extra hands. So please speak to us.

Thanks, Annette Garm, Site Manager, who went to Fraser Health on our behalf and convinced them we needed signage outside the main entrance. She was successful and now the public is aware we have a Gift Shop as well as a Café inside the entrance.

 Please join me in welcoming our new Coordinator, CarolynDodds.

Kitty Sawycky is our new accessory buyer.   

Thank you to Dawn and your devoted knitters; Pam for the miles traveled to Costco to satisfy everyone’s sweet cravings and toiletries; Lori for managing our popular magazines and Barb for her beautiful flower arrangements and countless trips across the border for best prices.

How would we manage without Joyce? Thank you Joyce for doing the daily bank deposits and solving all cash register problems; Linda and Dianne for keeping our scheduling updated and positions filed at all times and Nadine and the wonderful gals in the office for their support and guidance.

With Christmas arriving in the Shop at the end of October, please tell your friends and family about us. We carry something for everyone at the best possible prices.

May you and your families have a wonderful holiday season and thank you all for your continued support and dedication.                                  

Margot Millen, Past Coordinator Gift Shop                     

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HOSPITAL UNIT:  Peter Douglas

Over the last year we have welcomed many new volunteers to the Unit who along with our existing members make a positive impact on both the patients and visitors to our Hospital.

Thanks must be given to Charlene Dishaw , Volunteer Resources Manager for Fraser Health, who identified, with the various Department heads,  areas where volunteers could make an impact.

We provide volunteers at the Information desk, the first point of contact for many patients and visitors, and in Emergency where our volunteers are able to meet both patients and family as they enter and thus reduce the stress associated with a visit by explaining the check in procedure and ensuring the patient is comfortable.  We meet and greet Surgical Day Care patients escorting them down to the Units and, in the Extended Care Unit, we provide volunteers, many of them juniors, who assist the residents in their day to day life. Volunteers are also involved on both the Medical Units on a 1 to 1 basis visiting patients, some of whom have no family available, thus making life a little easier for them in difficult times.  Finally, we also have a Pet visiting program and the article in the South Delta Leader dated  October 19th illustrates the joy this can bring to both the residents of ECU and patients in the hospital.(This can be seen our website.)

We do make a difference and this is evidenced by the many positive comments I hear from both patients and visitors alike who greatly appreciate what we do. My thanks to you all for your dedication - keep the good work going.

Peter Douglas   Hospital Coordinator

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LIFELINE:Ellen Johnston

Lifeline continues to be a busy place with cancellations and installations.  We continue to hover around 375 customers.  According to statistics, Delta has 7.1% of its population on Lifeline: the national average is 4.5%. 

To date this year, we had 210 calls to the Response Center.  Of these calls- 39 were Responder assisted, 122 were transported to hospital and 88 were the result of falls.

We usually have 3 installers available at any given time.  They worked 206 days from the first of this year to October 25^th.  The installers were dispatched to 411 calls.  This included interviews, installations and service calls. 

Kudos to the great volunteers and staff of Lifeline for their conscientious and dedicated service to the seniors of Delta.

I wish every volunteer and their families a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year!

Ellen Johnston, Lifeline Coordinator

P.S. My term as coordinator will be over in spring.  If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Coordinator of Lifeline- please let me or the Council know

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OFFICE REPORT

OFFICE UNIT: Lori MacLennan

2012 is winding down and we have had a busy year is the office with lots of new volunteers to process, birthday cards to distribute to E.C.U., supplies and “stuffies” to Emergency, and just the day-to-day help we give to Council and the other Units.

Please remember to bring along $5.00 to the Christmas luncheon to renew your membership for 2013. Looking forward to seeing everyone on December 3^rd at the Town and Country.

Lori MacLennan, Office Coordinator

THRIFT SHOP: Carol Burgoyne

DELTA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY THRIFT SHOP          Carol Burgoyne

 This has been a very busy and exciting year for the Thrift Store.

Our recycle programs are doing very well.  Currently, we recycle all our cardboard, discarded paper and old, torn, unusable books/magazines via the DISCOVER BOOKS program; the “metal men” volunteers earn large sums for recycling our brass, copper, steel and aluminum – we sell the rest for scrap metal and make even more money for the Hospital; Frank and Shirley K. keep the old, torn plastic bags and the Styrofoam out of the landfill by taking these to recycle depots; and an even bigger bonus for the Hospital  is we now get paid per pound for our recycled clothing!

In addition to this recycling income, we have also managed to cut costs with our new cleaning service provider and our new garbage disposal contract – more money to provide patient care and comfort at Delta Hospital!

New display ideas have increased sales in our Jewelry department; and customers have been very pleased with our new Treasure Chest area in the store. 

 Our Market Sundays were very successful with having different themes each week and it was a lot of fun working at them. We were fortunate that the weather cooperated.

We are very proud of our own Joan High in that she received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award for her years of volunteering.

The donations have been tremendous and the volunteers have been working  very hard to keep up with them. We are living in a most generous community.

The Auxiliary was able to purchase the Dog and Pony building which will give the Thrift Store another 3000 square feet of space. This acquisition will make our work areas much safer. This year, the Christmas Store will be in this newly acquired location.

I want to thank all of our volunteers for the great job they do and wish you all a very happy Holiday Season!

For daily information about all Units of the Auxiliary, please join us on our website:    www.deltahospitalauxiliary.org

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WAYS AND MEANS: Betty Davis

July saw a well attended community event at Wellbrook Winery.  The Auxiliary had a public relations tent, as well as many volunteers providing services on the grounds for the food and wine venues, parking, pony ride and others.  As Wellbrook’s “Charity of Choice”, we did receive donations from the event.  M&M’s foods and VanHoutte’s coffee were also partners.

    Our Pillow Pals members are mourning the loss of a most dedicated member of the group. Agnes Chrumka, a Lifetime member of the Auxiliary, passed away this summer.  She was always so cheerful and full of fun—we will miss her.

 The program continues to provide the post surgical comfort pillows to patients. We have donated close to 100 sets this year, plus the shoulder belt cushions. We can always use donations of cotton, poly [non stretch] fabric. Machine and hand sewers are welcome.

 Marilyn Jones oversees The Vendors program as it continues to provide sales services in the Courtyard lobby.

 

 

We celebrate...

QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDAL OF HONOUR RECIPIENT

Joan High

                 

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This newsletter has been compiled by Nean Lund, October 31, 2012