Hospital Hustle Postponed Until 2021
The Hospital Hustle is the latest victim of COVID-19.
The annual event which raises money to purchase needed equipment for Queens General Hospital has been postponed until next year.
President of the Queens General Hospital Auxiliary Linda McKinnon says it doesn’t make sense to go ahead with the fundraiser as the province struggles with the pandemic.
“It’s close quarters because there’s a lot of people there and everybody is right next to each other. We just thought for the health and safety of our volunteers and people coming, it would be better to wait for another year.”
The Hospital Hustle began in 1980 with the aim of buying a large piece of needed equipment for Queens General.
McKinnon says hospital staff determine what is required then her team of dedicated volunteers sets out to raise enough money to make it happen.
She says, each year, Queens County residents support their efforts to the tune of $25,000.
The money raised last year will update equipment in the emergency room.
McKinnon says previously the Hustle has purchased an ECG machine, bladder scanner and portable ultrasound machines but the auxiliary also supports the hospital, buying smaller everyday items like chairs and blood pressure machines.
In addition to hospital equipment the auxiliary provides bursaries every year to Queens students wishing to study nursing.
She says the community generously supports their efforts by volunteering, donating money and items to the Hustle.
McKinnon says the curling club begins taking donated items in July and that, in part, is why they had to cancel.
“If we got a lot of items collected, we have no place to store them and what would we do with them?”
Aside from the Hospital Hustle, the auxiliary runs the hospital gift shop.
That’s been closed due to the coronavirus, leaving the auxiliary with little to no income this year.
McKinnon says despite those setbacks, she and the executive feel they can meet their obligations this year.
“We do have some money in reserve that we will be able to continue with our bursary program and the commitment that we already made to purchase the wish list of around $30,000, we’ll be able to fulfill that.”
McKinnon says the auxiliary is always looking for new members or volunteers for the gift shop.
“It’s really a worthwhile thing to do for your community and it helps all of us because unfortunately, all of us, at some point, do use our local hospital. And we’re very proud of our Queens General Hospital and the staff there.”
While the Hospital Hustle won’t go ahead until next year, anyone wishing to donate can do so by contacting Linda McKinnon at 902-354-5000.
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson