The members of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Auxiliary said merci, danke, xie xie, grazie, dykoyou and thank you to the volunteers and community organizations that help make the Garden Fair a success each year.
“You made it possible for us to reach our goal of $165,000 to furnish a room in the new IC Unit. Thank you for your donations and support,” said Wendy Christensen, auxiliary past president.
Colleen McEwan, director of the IC and emergency units, came to Vernon about a year ago and has been pleased to watch the new tower being built.
“It’s going to be wonderful to move to the new space. Thank you from hospital management to the auxiliary for its big donation and for all the things it does all year, like the comfort funds for the patients,” she said.
Natalie Moore, from the Auxiliary Knitting Group, and Betty Dingman, of the Auxiliary Craft Group, reminded people to come out to the Garden Fair to see what the groups have been working on all year.
The Chilly Creakers Band, which will be playing at the Garden Fair, The Lavington Ladies Group, The Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and the Ukrainian Women’s Association of the Orthodox Church and the Edelweiss Association brought donations.
Councillor Jack Gilroy brought greetings from City Council.
“I was driving an ambulance here 43 years ago when I was a firefighter and there were two beds in emergency. Then it was expanded and I thought that would be good forever. I’m happy to see that we are keeping up to the need,” he said.
The Garden Fair Committee members, Connie Lang, Yvonne Freedham, Sharon Rohner and Gerry Barker, are looking forward to a good event which usually raises more than $10,000 for the auxiliary. New this year are independent vendors, along with the traditional favourites — baking, books, white elephant, crafts, jewelry, knitting, plants, kids’ entertainment, music by the Chilly Creakers and Second Wind Community Band and concessions.
“Don’t forget to attend the Garden Fair on May 7, the day before Mother’s Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Polson Park. It’s always fun,” said Lang.
