May 23, 2025 – When you step into the Gift Shop at Arnprior Regional Health, you might think you’re just picking up a card, a cozy sweater, or a treat for a loved one…but behind every sale, something much bigger is happening.

Thanks to the dedication of our Gift Shop volunteers, patient care just got a major upgrade.

Recently, an Auxiliary member was accompanying her mother for an X-ray at ARH when she noticed the equipment being used – a small stool – posed challenges for both staff and patients. Wanting to make a difference, she reached out to the hospital, offering a personal donation toward purchasing a better solution.

Working closely with Vicki Hallas, ARH’s Diagnostic Imaging Manager, the team identified a state-of-the-art imaging chair that would significantly improve patient comfort and safety. Unlike the previous stool, this new chair locked securely, features arms and a backrest that can be dropped as needed and can glide side-to-side, allowing patients to remain seated during imaging.

However, there was one obstacle: the cost. The chair came in at approximately $5,000 more than the initial donation could cover.

That’s when the Gift Shop stepped in.

Because of the incredible hours our volunteers dedicate to running the Gift Shop, the Auxiliary was able to fully fund the $5,000 difference, making the new chair a reality for ARH’s Diagnostic Imaging department. Staff and patients have already reported overwhelmingly positive feedback.

“This is exactly why the Gift Shop exists,” said Bernice O’Connor, Gift Shop Manager. “Every hour our volunteers give, every sale that’s made, goes right back into supporting patient care.”

Donna Smith (ARH’s longest-serving volunteer), Bernice O’Connor (Gift Shop Manager), Lesley Lapierre (Treasurer and Gift Shop volunteer), and Vicki Hallas (Diagnostic Imaging Manager) gathered recently to celebrate the purchase, and to show the remarkable difference between the old stool and the new chair.

It’s a powerful reminder: small moments of service add up to big moments of impact.

Thank you to all our Gift Shop volunteers for helping to make patient care better, safer, and more comfortable, one shift at a time.