The St. Catharines Hospital Auxiliary, Canada’s oldest hospital auxiliary, is proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone—160 years of volunteer service and fundraising in support of healthcare in Niagara. A celebration was held on Monday, May 26 at 1 p.m. at Trillium United Church, to honour past and present members for their commitment to improving the lives of patients, families and hospital staff.
Founded in 1865, two years before Canadian Confederation, the Auxiliary began when seven local women came together at the request of Dr. Theophilus Mack to support the development of a hospital for the poor. That pioneering effort marked the beginning of organized hospital volunteerism in Canada.
Since those early days, the St. Catharines Hospital Auxiliary has grown into a dedicated and essential partner in the delivery of healthcare. Over 160 years, members have contributed their time, compassion, skills and resources to enhance patient comfort and help fund equipment and capital investments that directly support care in our region.
To date, the Auxiliary has raised nearly $9 million in support of Niagara Health through the Niagara Health Foundation, funding critical needs such as:
• Equipment for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit;
• MRI and Diagnostic Imaging technology;
• The Walker Family Cancer Centre;
• Pharmacy services;
• Defibrillators and Bladder Scanners;
• The Women’s and Babies Unit;
• Urology and Laboratory Services;
• The It’s Our Time campaign to build the current Marotta Family Hospital; and
• Mental Health and Addictions Care.
The Auxiliary continues to raise funds through its hospital gift shop at the Marotta Family Hospital in St. Catharines, prize raffles, 50/50 ticket draws, jewellery sales and community yard sales (June 14, 2025), and by volunteering at Delta Bingo. Through their partnership with the Niagara Health Foundation, the Auxiliary’s efforts help ensure Niagara Health can continue offering leading-edge equipment and programs that enhance patient outcomes and staff care.
“It has been my pleasure to lead the Auxiliary through this ‘post-Covid era’ with a great team. We were unsure if we would be able to continue our great work, but we have increased our membership and our fundraising totals. We look forward to continuing our work with the Niagara Health Foundation, Niagara Health’s Volunteer Resources, our amazing volunteers and our new executive under the leadership of Susan Hazell. A group we are confident we can grow with new members and new opportunities to raise funds to help purchase much needed hospital equipment.” – Noreen Dillon, St. Catharines Hospital Auxiliary President
“For 160 years, the St. Catharines Hospital Auxiliary has been rooted in compassion and care. Every volunteer, every dollar raised, and every act of kindness has helped support patients and staff with dignity, comfort and hope. We are so grateful for their selfless efforts and the countless Auxiliary members who have shaped Niagara’s healthcare journey. Their longevity and incredible fundraising results are both incredible achievements—and a reflection of the strength of our community and its unwavering commitment to healthcare.” – Andrea Scott, President and CEO, Niagara Health Foundation.
As Niagara Health continues to serve a growing and diverse population, the Auxiliary remains a vital partner in addressing urgent needs and supporting compassionate, patient-centred care. Their 160th anniversary is not only a moment to reflect on the past, it is a call to the next generation of volunteers to carry the legacy forward.
