Campbell River Hospital Auxiliary

From a humble beginning on November 3, 1955 with visionary volunteers, the Campbell River Hospital Auxiliary Society was formed. Two years later, the Campbell River and District General Hospital was opened on September 7th, 1957. The first Thrift Shop opened in 1962 on 11th Avenue in the old Credit Union building. After moving the shop many times, in 1967 the Auxiliary members decided to construct

their own building. The Hospital Board gave permission for space to build on hospital land. Since the Auxiliary did not have the capacity to borrow money, five of the members took out personal loans for $2,000 each to fund the project. It was estimated to take a minimum of 4-5 years to repay the loans from the Thrift Shop revenue but the debt was repaid in two years. With ever increasing customers and generous donations of goods the building had to be expanded in 1988. Our address is 415- 2nd Avenue, located between the hospital and Yucalta Lodge. The first Gift Shop, called the "Sunshine Shop", was opened in a very small hospital space in 1977. The hospital expansion of 1990 provided the current space for our Gift Shop. The new hospital plans incorporate a larger Gift Shop for the Auxiliary to stock and operate.