Auxiliary treasurer Darla Wilhelm marvelled at the generosity of the Trofimenkoff couple. “It has been a really big godsend for us, and I’ve been quite emotional about it,” said Wilhelm, who noted the Trofimenkoffs were long-time supporters of the auxiliary. The auxiliary was going to tackle a smaller project this time, but they decided to fundraise for the x-ray suite after learning of the estate donation. “The x-ray equipment is getting older and breaking down, and it needs to be replaced, and we decided we wanted to do a complete suite,” said Wilhelm. The Trofimenkoffs’ niece, Debbie Lapitsky, and their nephew, Harvey Schindel, are the executors of the estate.
Auxiliary treasurer Darla Wilhelm and president Marlene Shurygalo presented a cheque for $85,057.20 to St. Joseph’s Hospital board chair Don Kindopp and chief executive officer Greg Hoffort on Friday afternoon at the hospital. With the payment, the hospital auxiliary has now paid off the 38 beds that it purchased for the hospital’s long-term care ward in 2019. The beds had a total cost of more than $255,000, but thanks to the support of the community, the auxiliary was able to pay for the beds in two years – an impressive feat for the volunteer organization. Even more impressive is they were able to do it in the midst of a pandemic, which forced the cancellation of the auxiliary’s annual spring and Christmas tea and bake sales in 2020.
The total cost of the beds is $255,057; the auxiliary has paid down about $170,000 on the project. Auxiliary treasurer Darla Wilhelm said they have received some estate donations, along with allocations as a member agency for the United Way Estevan. “With us not being able to do any fundraising, it’s been difficult, but we’re hanging in there,” said Wilhelm. In previous years, the auxiliary has held a spring tea and bake sale and silent auction, and a similar event before Christmas, but those were cancelled this year due to COVID-19. They would often make a cheque presentation to the hospital at those events.