A Brief History of the
Summerland Health Care Auxiliary

Recent Accomplishments of the
Summerland Health Care Auxiliary
  • The Ladies Hospital Auxiliary was first formed in April 1909.
  • With the help of funds raised by the Auxiliary, the first cottage hospital was established in Summerland at Fenner House on April 11th, 1910.
  • Early fund raising activities included tag days, catering, making and selling baby clothing and fashion shows.
  • In 1959, the first Thrift Shop found its home in the old municipal office and library building.
  • Red smocks were first worn by Auxiliary Thrift Shop Volunteers in 1962.
  • In 1972, with $58,000 in funds raised, and a mortgage in place, the Thrift Shop moved to its current location on North Victoria Road in Summerland.
  • The mortgage was ceremonially burned just two years later in 1974.
  • The Ladies Hospital Auxiliary became the Summerland Hospital Auxiliary in 1974 in recognition of the contributions made by its gentlemen volunteers.
  • The Auxiliary was named Good Citizen of the Year in 1985.
  • The name of the organization changed in 1994 to its current title: Summerland Health Care Auxiliary.
  • An extension more than doubling the size of the Thrift Shop was added to the premises in 1999.
  • The Auxiliary celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009.
  • The prestigious Mayor's Community Service Award was presented to the Auxiliary in 2011.
  • In 2019, the Auxiliary was the recipient of the 'Non Profit Organization of the Year' award as presented at the 81st annual Summerland Business Excellence Awards
  • In 2011, the Auxiliary fulfilled its commitment to contribute $300,000 toward the purchase of a new CT scanner for the Penticton Regional Hospital
  • In 2013, the Auxiliary donated $95,000 toward the purchase of a new operating room table, operating room lights and surgical scrub sinks for the Summerland Memorial Health Centre
  • In 2014, the Auxiliary fulfilled its commitment to contribute $300,000 toward the upgrade of x-ray services from analogue to digital operations at the Penticton Regional Hospital
  • In 2016/17, the Auxiliary donated $100,000 for the purchase of a new PHACO eye surgery instrument for the Summerland Memorial Health Centre
  • In 2017, the Auxiliary donated $50,000 towards the creation of a pediatric play/wait area in the new Penticton Regional Hospital tower
  • In 2019, the Auxiliary fulfilled its commitment to raise $1 Million for the PRH capital building campaign
  • In 2022, the Auxiliary fulfilled its commitment to raise $800,000 for upgrades to the Summerland Memorial Health Centre X-ray service. 
  • Beginning in 2023, the Auxiliary has undertaken a new commitment to raise $1 Million for the PRH oncology clinic upgrade. As of December 2024, $650,000 has been raised and gifted to the PRH.
  • in 2025, the Auxiliary increased its annual bursary awards to five awards of $5000 each for graduating students of Summerland Secondary School pursuing education in health care related fields of study
  • Since the Auxiliary's inception in 1909, $8.936 Million in donations has been gifted to health care services in our region
  • A summary of recent donations is posted at the Thrift Shop and published annually in the Summerland Review