LITTLE CURRENT—A large contingent of representatives of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Florence Nightingale Home Foundation, gathered in the board room of the Manitoulin Health Centre’s (MHC) Little Current site last Thursday afternoon to gift the hospital with two Staxi chairs—an easy to maneuver patient transportation chair.
Verlie McGillis, president of the Florence Nightingale Home Foundation, addressed the crowd and thanked Spanish River Chapter #237 of the Order of the Eastern Star and the MHC for making the request. (Ms. McGillis, formerly of Mindemoya, now lives in Elliot Lake.)
Ms. McGillis explained that the Florence Nightingale Home Board began when a home was purchased in Agincourt in 1927 from funds raised by the members of the Order.
“The first residents were orphans of Eastern Star and Masonic members and children in unhappy circumstances,” Ms. McGillis said. “As social agencies grew, the need was lessened so the home became a home for aged members of the Eastern Star.”
As social agencies grew, the need for the home was no longer required and it was sold in 1975. The funds, the president continued, were carefully invested and in 1985 the Florence Nightingale Home Board became a foundation for the disbursement of these funds.
“The interest received from our investments and all donations made from the chapters in Ontario and their members are used by the Florence Nightingale Home Foundation to donate medical equipment to hospitals in Ontario and this is why we are here today,” Ms. McGillis said.
So far this year, the Florence Nightingale Home Foundation has donated to hospitals in Owen Sound, Winchester, Toronto East, Petrolia and, now, Little Current. Since the foundation’s first donation and the one made Thursday, 246 pieces of medical equipment have been donated to Ontario hospitals.
The Florence Nightingale Home Foundation’s first donation to the MHC Little Current site was in 1993, which was an electromyography (EMG) machine, a patient standing table and a table used in physio. In 2000, a Dinamap machine and triage equipment was donated and in 2007, a treadmill.
Ms. McGillis then presented a $4,000 cheque to Derek Graham, MHC CEO.
Mr. Graham thanked everyone for travelling far and wide to be there for the donation.
Mr. Graham said the MHC has been blessed over the years to have formed relationships with organizations across Manitoulin and beyond. “Hospitals need those relationships,” Mr. Graham said.
“This greatly impacts patient care when organizations come forward and help hospitals,” he added, noting that staff and patients have been enjoying the hospital’s two new Staxi chairs.
Present for the event were distinguished guests from the Grand Chapter of Ontario Worthy Grand Matron Brenda Hooper, Worthy Grand Patron Kenneth Ulch, Past Grand Patron Paul Hooper, Grand Marshal Mike Chorkawy, Grand Organist Marilyn Buttery and Grand Adah Darlene Ulch.
Florence Nightingale Home Foundation committee members Margaret Lynn, secretary/treasurer, of Whitby; Lois Goodall, director, of Woodstock; and Janet Randall, director, of Petrolia were also present as were: Spanish River Chapter Worthy Matron Mary-Lea Buchan; Worthy Patron James Woods; and District Deputy Grand Matron of District 15 Vanesa Jo Woods.
