Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary

09/21/2026

So far in 2026, we have donated $383,575 to our local health care and community wellness, thanks to the generous donations by Ladysmith residents and all our hardworking volunteers and staff and all our Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Store customers. Thank you Ladysmith!

09/21/2026

07/27/2026

❤️Health Care Spotlight ❤️

The Victoria Hospitals Foundation works in partnership with Island Health to support every area of care at Royal Jubilee (RJH) and Victoria General (VGH) hospitals, ensuring Islanders have access to the best possible healthcare close to home.

As the referral centres for Vancouver Island, RJH and VGH provide specialized care for patients from communities across the region, including Ladysmith. When Islanders require advanced cancer treatment, complex surgeries, or highly specialized care, they often turn to these hospitals for life-changing treatment.

The Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary is proud to award a grant of $30,000 to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation in support of the It's Time campaign and the da Vinci robotic surgical system at VGH.

Thanks to visionary community support, Vancouver Island is now home to the first Robotic Centre of Excellence in Western Canada, helping transform surgical care for Islanders. This investment is expanding access to minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgery and creating new opportunities for women requiring treatment for gynecologic cancers and other complex conditions.

For many women, care that was once unavailable locally can now be delivered right here on Vancouver Island. Robotic-assisted surgery offers smaller incisions, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and improved outcomes, allowing more patients to receive world-class care closer to the people and communities who support them.

The Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary is honoured to help make this innovation possible. We know that women and families from Ladysmith will benefit from these advancements for years to come through care provided at RJH and VGH.

Behind every grant is a community that made it possible. To our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and loyal thrift shop customers, thank you. Your support allows us to invest in leading-edge healthcare and help ensure Islanders have access to exceptional care when they need it most.

Together, we are helping shape the future of healthcare on Vancouver Island.

07/18/2026

❤️ Community Spotlight: ❤️
Ladysmith & District Marine Rescue Society

Have you ever wondered who answers the call when someone is in trouble on the water?

The Ladysmith & District Marine Rescue Society supports Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 29, whose highly trained volunteer crews stand ready 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to save lives on the water.

What many people may not realize is that every rescue is carried out entirely by volunteers. They leave family dinners, holidays, work and sleep behind at a moment's notice to help complete strangers. The boat, rescue equipment, training and facilities they rely on are supported through fundraising, community donations and grants, making community support essential to keeping this life-saving service ready.

Their commitment extends beyond emergency response. Through programs like Kids Don't Float, they help prevent tragedies by providing free life jacket loaner stations and promoting water safety for families enjoying our beautiful coastline.

The Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary is honoured to award a grant of $11,000 to the Ladysmith & District Marine Rescue Society. This grant will help ensure these dedicated volunteers have the resources they need to continue saving lives and promoting water safety throughout our community.

To every volunteer who answers the call thank you. Your courage, professionalism and selfless commitment make our community and our waters safer for everyone. ❤️

Behind every grant is a community that made it possible. To our incredible volunteers, generous donors and loyal shoppers, thank you. Your support allows us to stand beside organizations like the Ladysmith & District Marine Rescue Society and help strengthen our community together.

Learn more at rcmsar29.com

07/18/2026

❤️ Community Spotlight: ❤️
Ladysmith Resource Centre Association (LRCA)

Every community has a place where people know they can turn when they need a helping hand. For Ladysmith, that place is the Ladysmith Resource Centre Association (LRCA).

For more than 30 years, the LRCA has been enriching lives through programs and partnerships that support individuals and families at every stage of life. From helping parents build strong foundations with their children through Early Literacy, Mother Goose and Dads Drop-In, to bringing neighbours together through the Community Kitchen and providing vital transportation services, the LRCA creates opportunities for people to connect, grow and thrive. Their work reaches far beyond a single program—it strengthens the fabric of our entire community.

This year, the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary is honoured to provide a $32,000 grant to help sustain these important programs. The grant will support staffing, program supplies and the essential coordination needed to ensure these services remain accessible for the individuals and families who rely on them every day.

As the cost of delivering community programs continues to rise, partnerships like these become even more important. Together, we can help ensure that these welcoming, low-barrier programs continue to support families, children, seniors and neighbours throughout our community.

Thank you to the dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters of the LRCA for the compassion, commitment and care you bring to Ladysmith every single day. ❤️

To learn more about the incredible work of the Ladysmith Resource Centre Association, visit: www.lrca.ca

Behind every grant is a community that made it possible. To our amazing volunteers, generous donors and wonderful shoppers, thank you. Your kindness and support allow us to stand beside organizations like the LRCA and help them continue the incredible work they do for our community. Together, we are creating lasting ripples of hope, compassion and care. ❤️

07/18/2026

❤️ Community Spotlight: ❤️
Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF)

Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive in a community where families feel supported, connected and valued. That is exactly what Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF) has been creating for more than 30 years.

LaFF is much more than a family resource centre. It is a welcoming place where parents, grandparents and caregivers come together to build friendships, access valuable resources and give children the strongest possible start in life. Through inclusive, play-based programs, parenting support and opportunities to connect with others, helps reduce isolation, strengthens families and nurtures healthy childhood development creating lasting benefits for our entire community.

The Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary is honoured to award a grant of $30,000 to support LaFF's continued delivery of these essential programs. This grant will help ensure local children and families continue to have access to a safe, welcoming environment where they can learn, connect and flourish together.

To the dedicated staff, volunteers and everyone who helps make LaFF such a special place thank you for the compassion, care and encouragement you provide to families every single day. The positive impact you make today will continue to shape our community for generations to come. ❤️

Behind every community grant is a community that made it possible. To our incredible volunteers, generous donors and loyal shoppers, thank you. Every donation dropped off, every purchase made and every volunteer hour given allows us to stand beside organizations like LaFF and support the incredible work they do. Together, we are creating lasting ripples of hope, kindness and opportunity throughout our community. ❤️

To learn more about the wonderful work of Ladysmith Family and Friends, visit their website:
https://www.familyandfriends.ca/

07/15/2026

💙 Making Waves for a Safer Community! ⚓🚤

The Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary is proud to support the incredible work of the Ladysmith Maritime Society with a $4,000 grant to help provide first aid training and purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Whether they're welcoming visitors aboard one of their popular harbour tours, sharing the rich maritime history of our community, or introducing families to the beauty of Ladysmith Harbour, the volunteers at the Ladysmith Maritime Society are dedicated to creating memorable experiences while keeping safety at the forefront. Their harbour tours are operated by experienced volunteers with certified skippers and deckhands, making our waterfront both an educational and safe place to explore.

This funding helps ensure that if an emergency should ever arise, they will have the training and equipment needed to respond quickly and confidently.

Congratulations to the Ladysmith Maritime Society, and thank you for everything you do to showcase the beauty, history, and spirit of our waterfront community.

📸 Pictured from left to right: Eithne (LHCA), Judy (LHCA), Dale (Ladysmith Maritime Society), Tara (LHCA), and Dale's wonderful family.

Together, we're helping keep our community safe—both on land and on the water. ❤️

07/15/2026

🎨💜 Supporting Creativity, Connection & Community 💜🎨

The Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary is delighted to present the Arts Council of Ladysmith & District with a $5,000 grant in support of their Vintage & Valuable program.

Vintage & Valuable provides a welcoming space where adults aged 55 and older can connect with others, stay active, and express themselves through the arts. The program helps reduce social isolation while promoting creativity, confidence, and overall well-being through engaging artistic experiences.

At the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary, we believe health and wellness come in many forms. We are proud to support programs like Vintage & Valuable that bring people together, inspire creativity, and strengthen connections within our community.

Congratulations to the Arts Council of Ladysmith & District, and thank you for the meaningful work you do to enrich the lives of local seniors. ❤️

📸 Pictured from left to right: Valerie (LHCA), Andrea (Arts Council of Ladysmith & District), Tara (LHCA), and Eithne (LHCA).

05/21/2026

On April 28, 2026, the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary was honoured to present a donation of $12,500.00 to the Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to tour their welcoming space and learn more about the incredible support they provide to caregivers and families throughout our community. It was truly heartwarming to see firsthand the care, compassion, and safe space they offer to those navigating difficult journeys alongside their loved ones.

The Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society provides free support services for local families caring for loved ones with a disability or life-limiting medical diagnosis. Their services include support groups, one-to-one emotional support, healthcare system navigation, connections to community resources, education, and caregiver wellness support.

We are grateful to help support the meaningful work they do in our region.

To learn more about their programs and services, please visit:
https://www.familycaregiverssupport.org/

This donation was made possible through the generous support of our volunteers, donors, shoppers, and community members who continue to support the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Store. Together, we are helping care ripple outward through our communities. 💫

Photo left to right Laureen Styles (LHCA President) Linda Dirksen Gale (Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society Executive Director) Tara McHugh-Lee (LHCA Executive Director)

05/19/2026

Yesterday was officially recognized as “Health Care Auxiliaries Day” in British Columbia a day to celebrate the incredible volunteers who quietly change lives in communities all across our province.

At the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do.
They are the smiling faces that greet you in the store, the helping hands behind the scenes, the drivers delivering low-cost meals, the knitters, sorters, cashiers, gardeners, committee members, bakers, organizers, listeners and caregivers who give their time so generously to help others.

Every hour they give comes from a place of compassion and community spirit.
Because of them, we are able to support health care initiatives, wellness programs, families, seniors, youth, and so many important services throughout our community and beyond.

But beyond all the hours, donations, and hard work… they bring something even more important:
kindness, connection, laughter, and heart.

To our volunteers and staff thank you for showing up, caring deeply, and helping us continue a legacy of service that has touched this community for over 100 years.
You are appreciated more than words can say, and we love you dearly. ❤️

From all of us at the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary… Happy Health Care Auxiliaries Day!

https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/proclamations/proclamations/HealthCareAuxDay2026