The South Shore Regional Hospital Redevelopment Project has received a huge financial boost, thanks to a historic gift from its Auxiliary.

The Auxiliary — initially formed 70 years ago to make jam for the patient’s trays and curtains for the former Dawson Memorial Hospital in Bridgewater — is now one of the leading forces in the redevelopment of regional health care.

The South Shore Regional Hospital Auxiliary has committed $1,000,000 towards the long-awaited build that will see the hospital grow by nearly 30%. It’s also the first million-dollar gift by a non-profit in the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore’s fundraising initiative for the project.

SSRH Auxiliary President Alison Reynolds notes this donation is certainly their group’s largest lump-sum donation and one of the largest made by a hospital auxiliary in Nova Scotia.

“The SSRH Auxiliary is here to support the hospital and its needs but to also foster good health care in the community. This project fit into both categories and our members certainly recognize the need for this expansion and redevelopment of our hospital.”

“Anyone who has bought a painting at the Shoreline Gallery or a chocolate bar at the Gift Shoppe or who has shopped at The Daisy; they made this donation possible. Kudos to the community because without that support we would have nothing. Each purchase makes a difference.”

With talk of the redevelopment of the 33-year-old hospital going on for over a decade, Alison says the SSRH Auxiliary had time to prepare its gift.

“When the idea first came to light, the SSRH Auxiliary members knew they wanted to be part of it, so they made it a goal to put away $250,000 a year to save for when the project was to actually move forward.”

This $115.7-million project will expand the Emergency, Endoscopy and Day Surgery Departments, as well as bring Dialysis Treatments and a MRI Scanner to Bridgewater. Health Services Foundation Board Chair Nick Saunders says the Auxiliary’s $1,000,000 donation will support the Day Surgery Department expansion, as well as four dialysis treatment areas.

“The Foundation is profoundly grateful for this generous contribution toward the redevelopment effort. We count the Auxiliary as a close member of the hospital family, and its early investment will help us build momentum for the fundraising efforts that will follow.”

The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore is very excited and committed to supporting the South Shore Regional Hospital Redevelopment Project. It will have more news to share on its volunteer-led fundraising effort in the coming months.

Media contact:

Alison Clements – Manager, Strategic Engagement

Health Services Foundation of the South Shore    902-521-9522