A nine-member volunteer board pumps a large sum of money into serving the health care needs of Chemainus residents and the surrounding area.
Formed in 1988, the Chemainus Health Care Foundation is marking 30 years of service to the community.
“Thirty years is a landmark for us,” said Foundation president Kathleen Hepburn.
The Chemainus Hospital was the original focus of the Foundation, but when it closed the mandate was redefined to encompass community health in general.
The broader reach meant the Foundation not only supported equipment purchases and programs at the Chemainus Health Care Centre, including the Urgent Care Unit, the lab and diagnostic services, but also provided assistance to the Adult Day Program and family caregivers.
Twelve people come to the Adult Day Program five days a week and “they’re not always the same people,” noted Hepburn.
They are provided services there, such as bathing and entertainment.
The Foundation’s scope also includes offering scholarships and bursaries to high school students and a mature student award to those committing to a career in health care.
“We have a broad view of health care,” added Hepburn. “We believe that health care should meet the range of community needs from in-home family care and assisted living, through to institutional support and end-of-life comfort.”
The Foundation played a central role in the development of the Steeples independent living complex and sponsored a major renovation of the space used by the Adult Day Program.
People often confuse the Foundation with the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary.
“We are separate from the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary, we do not run the Thrift Shop,” stressed Hepburn.
“We do not have a source of income. Ours is strictly donation. We welcome any inquiries about specific interests.”
Through the generosity of sponsors, the Foundation provides more than $2 million to equipment purchases, and funds programs and services that directly benefit residents of Chemainus and area.
And it has worked in partnership with the Auxiliary to prioritize needs on the purchase of such items as a new X-ray machine for the lab in Chemainus and the building of an end-of-life sanctuary at the Chemainus Health Care Centre to serve the Cowichan Valley.
“We get together with the Auxiliary, we make sure it’s pretty much covered,” said Hepburn. “Together, we can do more than we can separately.”