The Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary can trace its history back to the First World War and started the next chapter in its decades of supporting local health care on May 8.

Several members of the auxiliary gathered with members of the public and dignitaries for the grand opening of the Penny Pincher thrift store in its new location.

“We started the building fund for this building in 2007,” explained auxiliary president Diane Thornton. “It was a great group effort that has been going for many years.”

The auxiliary amassed three quarters of a million dollars to purchase its own property after having rented various locations over the years.

Even while trying to grow the building funding, the auxiliary did not overlook its vital role in the local health sector.

“We were still making regular contributions to the hospital,” Thornton noted.

The auxiliary started looking at the site at 205th Street on Fraser Highway, the former Coast Capital Credit Union and it ended up being Coast Capital that gave the mortgage.

She noted that the last inspection took place on a Friday afternoon this spring and the City came through with a business licence that afternoon.

“We were open the next day,” she noted.

The auxiliary members, all volunteers, and even some of their spouses had the big task of moving the thrift store from the 56th Avenue location to the new larger site with two buildings and off-street parking.

Customers have followed, providing donations and shopping in the store.

“Without your donations and your support, we wouldn’t be here at all,” Thornton said of the public.

Jason Cook has only been in his job as the executive director of Langley Memorial Hospital and his first official event was the thrift store grand opening. He praised the auxiliary for years of hard work to raise funds for health care.

“That’s an amazing legacy,” he said.

Langley Advance