The Ridge Meadows Hospital Ladies Hospital Auxiliary recently donated $10,000 to the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation.
The money will go towards the foundation’s goal of raising $130,000 and be used to replace an aging bus being used for day trips by the 148 residents of Baillie House.
More than 15 years ago, the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary provided funding to purchase a bus for the residents and is now again showing its commitment to health care by helping purchase a new one.
Baillie House is home to 148 people ranging in age from 47 to 107, all with a wide range of physical and mental health challenges, and who cannot live without assistance.
In addition to meeting the medical needs of the residents, health care workers at Baillie House strive to provide a home-like environment for all.
In an effort to eliminate loneliness and helplessness, daily activities such as bingo, crafts and movie nights are planned for the residents.
On a regular basis, outings are planned including luncheons, shopping trips, sightseeing tours, trips to the casino and more.
The residents of Baillie House rely on the bus for their outings.
Purchased in 1995, the current bus is showing significant signs of aging and, for a multitude of reasons, staff are having to delay or cancel outings.
By providing them with a new, reliable, safer mode of transportation, Baillie House can immediately improve their quality of life.
The ladies auxiliary started 58 years ago and has been proudly helping Ridge Meadows Hospital since.
Today, the volunteer organization has 93 members.
This year, the auxiliary has purchased $133,000 in comfort items and equipment for RMH, including patient comfort items, specialty beds and mattresses.
The auxiliary also gives out four bursaries each year to students who are continuing their education in the medical field.
Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation is working to provide more than $800,000 this year.
Besides the bus for Baillie House, the foundation is trying to secure funds for three cardiac monitors, patient lifts, two highly specialized microscopes used for urology and orthopedic surgeries, and more.
