Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Fort Erie Site Auxiliary

The Fort Erie Site Auxiliary is one of five long‑standing hospital auxiliaries supporting Niagara Health. Based at the Fort Erie hospital site, it is a volunteer-driven charitable group that raises money to enhance patient care and comfort. Since its formation, the Auxiliary has raised more than $1.3 million to purchase medical equipment and furnishings for the benefit of patients at the Fort Erie Site, including a major contribution to equip the Mammography Unit.

Beyond supporting hospital infrastructure, the Auxiliary operates a structured bursary program. It provides bursaries for up to seven students entering first-year courses in health-related studies, offering direct financial assistance to individuals from the community who are pursuing careers in healthcare. This positions the Auxiliary as both a capital supporter of the hospital and a small but meaningful scholarship provider.

Fundraising revenues that enable these grants and purchases come from several ongoing and event-based activities. The Auxiliary operates a Tuck Shop at the Fort Erie Site, providing sandwiches, coffee, snacks, toiletries, greeting cards, flowers and hand‑knit baby items. Additional funds are generated through Hospital Equipment Lottery Purchase Program (H.E.L.P.P.) ticket sales and an annual bazaar. Members also volunteer as greeters in the Urgent Care Centre and interact with long‑term care patients, deepening their connection to hospital services.

Funds raised are directed toward priority patient-care equipment and comfort items identified in collaboration with hospital leadership. The bursary program focuses on students pursuing health-related education, helping to build future healthcare capacity in the Niagara region.

The Fort Erie Site Auxiliary primarily serves two groups: patients and families at the Fort Erie hospital site, and local students embarking on health-related post-secondary studies. Its investments in diagnostic and patient-care equipment improve the quality and accessibility of services close to home, while bursaries reduce financial barriers for emerging healthcare professionals. Working in affiliation with the Hospital Auxiliary Association of Ontario, the Auxiliary contributes to a broader provincial network of volunteer hospital supporters.