KDH Auxiliary
The Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary plays a crucial role at KDH by operating the Gift Shop & Coffee Bar and raising funds that directly benefit our patients.
About the Auxiliary
Founded in 1959, the Auxiliary’s mission is to promote good public relations, and assist the hospital in providing quality community health care through fundraising initiatives. The Auxiliary helped raise the funds to build our hospital, which opened its doors on June 29, 1960.
How the Auxiliary raises money for the hospital
The Auxiliary has donated more than $2 million to Kemptville District Hospital since it was founded in 1959. The Auxiliary raises funds for the hospital through the Gift Shop & Coffee Bar, memorial donations to the Tribute Fund (see above), and fundraising events throughout the year, including its major annual fundraiser, Hey Day, which raises more than $50,000 each year. The profits from all Auxiliary activities are used for the direct benefit of KDH patients, primarily through the purchase of essential medical equipment.
Get Involved
The KDH Auxiliary is looking for new members to help with fundraising projects for the hospital. If you’re interested in joining the Auxiliary, contact kdh_volunteer@kdh.on.ca
We look forward to hearing from you!
To learn more about the KDH Auxiliary, read Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary Constitution and By-Laws.
Gift Shop & Coffee Bar
Auxiliary volunteers operate the Gift Shop & Coffee Bar, which offers a variety of fresh, healthy foods, including soups, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, muffins, yogurt, and beverages including coffee, tea and juices. High sugar / salt items are not sold to maintain the ‘Healthy Foods Award’ standards.
The Gift Shop is made up of two areas: the gift shop itself, which sells new items including jewelry, purses, scarves, giftware, ornaments and clothing; and an area called Second Hand Rose, which sells donations of handmade goods and gently used items such as jewelry, ornaments, puzzles, books, and home accessories. Donations can be dropped off at the Gift Shop during hours of operations, which are from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Hey Day
Every year, the KDH Auxiliary organizes Hey Day, which is a major fundraising event and one of the largest indoor garage sales in eastern Ontario. Hey Day is run entirely by volunteers and supported through community donations, with all proceeds going directly to KDH. Over the past three years, Hey Day has raised over $50,000 annually for the hospital through tremendous community support!
Mammography Machine & CT Scanner
The KDH Auxiliary contributed $100,000 to the mammography machine fundraising campaign in 2013, and $160,000 to the CT scanner fundraising campaign in 2024, helping to provide critical diagnostic care close to home.
Bursaries for High School Students
Every year, the KDH Auxiliary awards two bursaries to local high school students pursuing postsecondary education in the health care field. The Auxiliary asks the high school to give preference to a student applicant who has volunteered at KDH.
Palliative Care Gowns, Comfort Dolls and Comfort Kits
KDH Auxiliary volunteers make Palliative Care Gowns and Comfort Dolls for patients. These handmade items are meaningful to our patients and volunteers!
Comfort Kits contain everyday necessities like a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, hand lotion, lip balm and a notebook. They also contain a book of puzzles and a pen to help patients pass the time enjoyably. The kits are available on an ongoing basis for inpatients.
Contact
Email kdh_volunteer@kdh.on.ca for more information about the KDH Auxiliary.
1,300
comfort dolls handed out to KDH’s littlest ER patients
since the project began
Find a Clinic or Service
“I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the physicians, nurses, nursing aides, dietary, environmental services, lab, and diagnostic imaging staff, and many others who helped so much to make my stay in March so much easier for me. It was a worrying time for me and my family. There was not a single staff member at any time who did not make me feel more at ease and well cared for. I am still finding ways to cope with my condition and slowly but steadily improving with the regular support of my doctors and remain cautiously optimistic, but it looks like a long road ahead. I learned a lot while I was being cared for, particularly about the value of those small instances of human kindness. I wanted to express my appreciation for all the dedicated work everyone at KDH does.”
