The non-profit Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary has its fingerprints all over various upgrades made to NRGH. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

big contribution

‘We’ve never not been able to fund what they want’: Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary steps up again

Apr 10, 2022 | 5:53 AM

NANAIMO — Armed with devoted volunteers and a strong business model, the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary came through with yet another substantial donation.

President Phil Robling recently handed Nanaimo hospital executives a $502,000 cheque for perinatal and bariatric equipment, as well as numerous comfort items for NRGH patients.

Robling said their annual donation will also improve staff rest areas and lounges around the hospital in need of upgrades.

“It does hearten all of us when we see the money being put to good use and benefiting the patients in the hospital,” Robling told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Phil Robling and fellow Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary volunteers being recognized after supplying $502,000 towards upgrades at NRGH. (Island Health)

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He noted their organization has supplied about $5 million to Nanaimo hospital over the past decade.

Hospital site directors provide a wish list of items and Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary personnel handles the rest.

“They come up with a shopping list of things, we look at the totals and say ‘yes we can fund that.’ We’ve never not been able to fund what they want.”

Robling said their non-profit organization pivoted about 15 years ago by opening and gradually expanding a thirft store at Northridge Plaza.

He said the the store has been a consistent revenue generator, allowing them to make significant purchases toward hospital equipment and services over the years.

A hospital gift shop is the organization’s other retail outlet, while a hospital staff 50/50 lottery draw is another notable revenue generator.

The Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary has been in existence in one form or another for 120 years and currently involves about 200 volunteers.

“They are just wonderful people, they give up their time to help other people; in this day and age that’s worth a great deal to me,” Robling said.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes