The Castlegar Hospital Auxiliary Treasure Shop has been operating since 2007 in its new location 210 – 11th Avenue next to the Bowling Alley.
Castlegar & District Hospital Auxiliary Society was formed in 1957, one year prior to the opening of the Castlegar and District Hospital in 1958. Presently operating as the Castlegar and District Community Health Centre. In 1957, the Auxiliary became part of the British Columbia association of Health-care Auxiliaries and continues to be a member of the BCAHA.
In the past, the Auxiliary was known for its huge garage sales which were held in the Spring for many years at the Kinnaird Hall. It became difficult to collect items for the volunteers and storage became a problem. Due to the difficulties as stated the Auxiliary opened a thrift store in the community and raised money for health care in Castlegar. We supported the Hospital which is now the Health Centre and Talarico Place, a twenty-four hour residential care for our seniors. We were fortunate that Pharmasave accommodated the Auxiliary’s Treasure Shop in the back lane from 1992 to 2006. The steps became a big problem leading into the basement not only for our volunteers but for our customers and donors. It was then decided that a new store front was needed.
In 2006, the Auxiliary members built the present building that we operate out from and in 2007 we opened our famous Hospital Auxiliary Treasure Shop (thrift store).
Not only do the local customers support the Treasure Shop, we are supported by customers from out of town such as Nelson, Trail, Grand Forks, Christina Lake, Fruitvale, Salmo, Rossland, Creston, Cranbrook, New Denver, Kaslo and, Nakusp.
The Treasure Shop has visitors out of province and country especially during the summer. Nettie Stupnikoff, President of the Auxiliary, is extremely pleased with the growth of its operation.
The members of the Auxiliary are forever thankful to the City of Castlegar, Columbia Basin Trust, Kootenay Savings Community Foundation, Teck Cominco Trail Operations, Celgar and many other businesses along with all the people who gave monetary donations and of their time. Without all these wonderful people the Treasure Shop would not be successful.
The Auxiliary is grateful to our donors and our customers who support the volunteers’ efforts in running this much needed service in the community. We request that our donors please donate their valuable items on Monday and Saturday which gives the volunteers time to sort, price and store their seasonal treasures for the Treasure Shop. However, should a donor show up at the Treasure Shop we will kindly accept their donation. Our phone number at the Treasure Shop is 250-365-7317.
Due to the generousity of the community, in the past five years the Auxiliary has donated $114,000 to various organizations.
The Auxiliary has donated to the Harvest Food Bank, Legion, Red Cross, Hospice, Community Services, Scholarships, Bursaries, both to Selkirk College Students and S.H.S.S. graduating students to enter into the Health Care programmes. We have donated $43,850 to the Castlegar & District Hospital Foundation for medical equipment for the Emergency Department, Lab and Talarico Place.
We offer our famous monthly Auctions with beautiful items such as jewelry and we sell brand name clothing, shoes, outer wear. We have many good pieces of gift wares, household items, variety of books, toys etc. The Auxiliary also has a recycling committee where seniors cut unsellable cottons to specifications and sell to the business in the community. The recycling committee is also in need of volunteers.
The Treasure Shop is a thriving little business and can always use many hands. The Auxiliary is looking for volunteer men and women who can donate 1, 2 or 3 hours a week.
Hours of operations are:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday; 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday we are closed till 12 noon due to the cleaning, sorting, pricing and storing of our many wonderful donations.
We open from 12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for operations.
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
It is a great way to meet new people and at the same time feel good about contributing back to the community for Health Care. We are a dedicated bunch of ladies and men who know the meaning of giving back to our community. You will become a valuable supporter to the Treasure Shop and get a chance to meet new and interesting people. If you would like to learn more about the Auxiliary and would like to join our team of volunteers please call Nettie at 250-365-6587 or 250-304-9226.
The Gift Shop offers new baby clothing and children’s clothing. Please visit the Gift Shop located in the foyer of the Castlegar Health Centre.
The Castlegar & District Hospital Foundation has sponsored a web page for the Auxiliary; it is a way of thanking the Auxiliary for all the wonderful things that the volunteers do in the community. Please visit www.castlegarhospitalfoundation.org and read about the Donation History of the Auxiliary which totals $431,330.