November 23, 2023
“It’s all about the people,” says Betty Chickloski, president of Stony Plain & District Health Centre Auxiliary, now celebrating its 60th anniversary of making life better for patients, families and staff at WestView Health Centre. Photo by Chelsea Blair.
Story & photo by Chelsea Blair
STONY PLAIN — This November marks the 60th anniversary of the Stony Plain & District Health Centre Auxiliary.
A special afternoon tea was held at WestView Health Centre to celebrate and honour past and present auxiliary volunteers who’ve dedicated their time to support patients, families and staff over six decades.
“It’s all about the people,” says Betty Chickloski, president of Stony Plain & District Health Centre Auxiliary, who’s volunteered since 2011. “We have 20 volunteers at the moment, and I enjoy working with every single one of them.”
This giving team supports the health centre in many ways, from providing snacks and drinks for visitors and staff to preparing tray favours for patients during the holidays. They’re no stranger to special projects, as well — with their most recent endeavours being purchasing clothing for patients in need in the emergency department and collecting care packages of toiletries and other essential items for victim services.
Since 1963, auxiliary volunteers have operated the gift shop that first opened at the original Stony Plain Municipal Hospital and relocated to the then-new WestView Health Centre in 2001. The auxiliary has raised upwards of $500,000 dollars to buy new medical equipment and fund educational opportunities for staff.
Recently, the auxiliary received an estate gift from a Stony Plain local — a bequest they hope to transform into a beautiful new garden for WestView patients and staff to enjoy.
Ellen Elliott, site director at WestView, presented a special certificate to the group at the celebration to commemorate the milestone anniversary.
“The auxiliary members are simply wonderful,” says Elliott. “Their support makes a positive difference for patients, their families and the staff here at WestView. We want to congratulate the auxiliary on their 60th anniversary — and thank them for the enormous contributions they’ve made over the years.”
