For 125 years, the Morden Chapter of the Boundary Trails Health Auxiliary has been serving the local medical community, and the fire to continue their mission continues to burn.

Dr. Margie Hesom, chief of staff of the Boundary Trails Health Centre, says the work of the chapter plays a very important role, and it's wonderful to know the group is in their corner.

"They've always been prepared to meet our needs, anything that the RHA or Manitoba Health hasn't been able to get for us to advance programs or develop new programs, the auxiliary and the foundation (Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation) have always been there."

Morden-Winkler MLA Cameron Friesen was in attendance and said the Morden chapter is a tremendous legacy of people giving back to their community. "When the Morden Hospital was built in 1893 it was only the fourth hospital in all of Manitoba and immediately there was a women's auxiliary started to do everything," said Friesen. "At that time they were canning and sewing bed sheets, and fast forward 125 years, this is a group that has fundraised almost $200,000 in just the time the Boundary Trails Hospital has been in existence."

Some of the many items purchased for BTHC since 2001 as a result of the auxiliary's efforts, include a gastroscope and colonoscope at a cost of $15,500, a $10,000 ventilator, a fetal heart monitor ($15,320), 3 vital sign monitors ($11,807), a gurney stretcher ($9,250), 2 Tilt recline wheelchairs ($4,500), a metal toddler crib for medical ($5,680), and a portable dialysis machine ($6,013).

Friesen said there are so many unsung heroes who have served in so many ways through the auxiliary. "I spoke to one lady who said she's been volunteering in the Boundary Trails Gift Shop since the day it opened. And it's just incredible to think, every day, they're going there, they're doing that work because they believe in the community." Friesen added says Boundary Trails is a great hospital, but in many respects, it's these kind of people who do these volunteer jobs that continue to keep our health system strong in our communities.