192 and counting

The plan was to show off two geriatric chairs and a specialized wheelchair to a group of visitors to the Brantford General Hospital the other week.

“We planned to have the equipment available for the members of the Florence Nightingale Home Foundation to actually see firsthand what they had purchased for the hospital,” Kari Wilson, coordinator- public affairs and development at the Brant Community Healthcare System said. “But as it turned out the equipment is in so much demand with our patients that it would have impacted their care if we took it away from them for an hour or so. Obviously, we didn't want to do that and as it turned out the donors understood.”

The Florence Nightingale Home Foundation, one of the benevolent arms of the Order of the Eastern Star, traces its roots back to 1928 when they operated a home for orphans, and then in later years, for the elderly in Agincourt. Even back in 1975 there was significant change in healthcare so the home was sold.

“Today, we invest the interest derived from the sale of the house, and with other donations we receive, we help accredited hospitals purchase equipment that helps with patient care,” Lois Goodall, vice president of the organization said. “We have enough to fund perhaps five hospitals and usually to help hospitals purchase smaller items; things that may be lost in the big scheme of things.”

The items the members wanted to buy for the Brantford General Hospital were three chairs. The cost of the geriatric chairs and special wheel chair was over $4,000; more than the donors had, so the hospital Foundation dipped into another source and came up with the extra money needed to purchase the items that would assist patients on B6- an inpatient medical unit.

The day arrived for the members of Florence Nightingale Home Foundation to come visit. They came from across a large swath of the province- from Peterborough to Sarnia. But one person did not have far to travel. Margaret Tolhurst is a member of Brant Chapter 188. She is also a volunteer at the Brantford General.

“One of my girlfriend's asked me to join the Brant Chapter back in 1986 after my husband died,” Marg said. “She was determined to get me out of the house. I have been a member ever since. It was our Chapter that requested the donation from the Florence Nightingale Home Foundation- the 192nd gift they have made.”

Marg has belonged to the BGH Volunteer Association for 10- years now. “I started as a volunteer in the mammography department and then when they refurbished the gift shop I started there. My grand- daughter replaced me as a volunteer in the mammography department and I still go back to fill in once in a while.”

When Marg attended the presentation with other members at the hospital they first held a business meeting. But the real purpose of the visit was to see what they had purchased. As Lois said, “Often it can take many years from the time we receive a request until we can actually fill it.” The patients, staff, physicians and volunteers all know that good things take time.

Gary Chalk is senior executive director- public affairs & development for the Brant Community healthcare System. Brantford general is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris, is a multi- service health centre providing urgent care, primary and community outreach programs.