Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Mission Health Care Auxiliary Society

The Mission Health Care Auxiliary Society is one of the oldest volunteer organizations in Mission, British Columbia, active since 1920. Composed of more than 100 volunteers, it raises money to support, enhance and promote health care in the community. Funds are generated through the Cottage Thrift Store, the Mission Memorial Hospital Gift Shop, a medical equipment loan service, direct donations and a dedicated Memorial Fund. All money raised stays in the community.

The Auxiliary directs the funds it collects to purchase medical equipment, improve patient comfort and support health-related community projects. Examples listed on its site include major contributions to Mission Memorial Hospital for items such as beds, stretchers, monitoring equipment, thermometers, recliners and an ultrasound machine, as well as substantial funding to The Residence in Mission (TRIM), the Dr. Stuart Pavilion and comfort funds for bus trips and activities.

The Society primarily provides project-based and capital funding rather than individual emergency aid. Its contributions include large lump‑sum donations for specific equipment purchases for the hospital, recurring monthly support for long‑term care facilities, and targeted grants or donations to community organizations in Mission, such as SARA for Women, Zajac Ranch and Mission Community Services. It also allocates money to bursaries for junior volunteers, helping support youth involved in hospital volunteering.

The Memorial Fund offers a structured channel for memorial giving. Donations made in memory of loved ones are pooled in this fund, and the Auxiliary then uses these resources as part of its broader financial support for hospital equipment and local health initiatives. While the website does not describe a formal competitive grant application process, it clearly shows that the Auxiliary chooses and funds projects and organizations according to identified health care needs in the region.

The main beneficiaries of the Auxiliary’s funding are patients and residents served by Mission Memorial Hospital and related facilities, including TRIM and the Dr. Stuart Pavilion. Indirectly, local non‑profit organizations and their clients also benefit from donations for programs such as food hampers, mobile medical units and women’s and children’s services. Through regular fundraising and careful allocation of resources, the Society contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to health care equipment and services, playing a significant philanthropic role in the Fraser Valley health ecosystem.

The organization is governed by a volunteer board and numerous service area convenors who oversee fundraising operations and services. Community members can support the Auxiliary by shopping at or donating to the thrift store and gift shop, making direct or memorial donations, or volunteering. This grassroots governance model ensures that funding decisions remain closely tied to local health priorities and community needs.