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Hospital auxiliary awards bursaries

By Lorraine Graves

Published 3:24 PDT, Fri August 30, 2019

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

Three students head off to university this fall with an extra spring in their step and fewer financial worries thanks to the Richmond Hospital/Healthcare Auxiliary.

Three students head off to university this fall with an extra spring in their step and fewer financial worries thanks to the Richmond Hospital/Healthcare Auxiliary.

Preet Kaur, Christine Gee and Hellen Huang have each been awarded a bursary because of their significant volunteer hours at Richmond Hospital. Each is aiming at a career in health care.

Kaur completed her first year in the Health Foundation program at Kwantlen University and has applied to the nursing program. Upon completion, she hopes to become a registered nurse specializing in working with children. In preparation for her future career, she volunteered in the hospital’s navigation program, cancer care unit, emergency department and community clinics.

Gee is entering the Bachelor of Nursing program at UBC this fall. She plans to specialize in pediatric nursing as a nurse practitioner. She has volunteered at Richmond Hospital in a variety of areas, including cancer care and emergency and at the Bridgeport Lions Manor.

Huang is a third year life sciences student studying human biology and physiology at the University of Toronto. Her vision is to become an endrocrinologist. Currently she is organizing a diabetes awareness and welfare group and planning to organize support groups in local community centres in Richmond. Her volunteer service includes community health care, and most recently, assisting in the emergency ward.

The auxiliary, best known for running the thrift store in the heritage building that was once Steveston United Church at 3731 Chatham St. It raises over $300,000 annually that aids health care in our community. The funds pay for things that are not normally covered by traditional provincial healthcare funds.

This year, the store has started opening Sunday afternoons from noon to 3 p.m. All proceeds from the sales go to the newly-acquired mortgage and to the restoration fund on this hundred-year old Steveston gem. Sundays fill another need; they provide a fun activity on a day that can be very quiet for those who live alone as there is often coffee and cake in the staff room offering a chance to socialize while helping our community.

Sundays often see a half-price sale on a single category of items ranging from tools to footwear, from children’s clothing to housewares.

The thrift store relies on donated items and donated time as it is staffed by completely by volunteers and stocked with a panoply of items given by Richmondites. Weekday store hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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