KDH Auxiliary cancels what would have been its 60th annual ‘Hey Day’ fundraiser

The Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) Auxiliary has made the difficult decision to cancel Hey Day 2020, scheduled for June 12^thand 13^th.    This would have been the historic sixtieth edition of the Auxiliary’s major annual fundraiser for KDH.

“In light of the amount of advance preparation involved and the uncertainty around the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, we felt we needed to make this decision now,” explained Hey Day Convenor, Jolene Stover.

Held annually at the North Grenville Curling Club in Kemptville, Hey Day is one of the largest indoor garage sales in Ontario, attracting legions of bargain hunters, collectors, and treasure seekers. The fundraiser is made possible by its hundreds of dedicated volunteers who come back year after year to help.

Taken in 2018, this photo depicts the volunteers who had helped out at 10 or more Hey Days

“The Auxiliary would like to thank the many volunteers who would have joined us again this year as they always have, and the new volunteers who had already stepped up for 2020,” said Stover.

“We also want to thank the local businesses who would have supported us again with donations of much needed supplies and equipment,” she added. “Without their support, Hey Day would not be the success that it is every year.”

“And finally, we want to thank all of our neighbours, friends and family who have been saving items to donate,” Stover said. “We truly appreciate it and if possible we ask you to tuck them away for next year!”

KDH’s ‘resident historian’, Lynne Clifford-Ward, noted that Hey Day has only been cancelled one other time in its history: this was in 1967 during Canada’s centennial year, when the ageing Kemptville Arena, Hey Day’s home at the time, was demolished. In place of Hey Day that year, the KDH Auxiliary held a mammoth Centennial Garden Party on the campus of the Kemptville Agricultural School. It featured booths with candy, jam and jellies, a baking table and a wedding dress parade.

“It is poignant that this is also the hospital’s sixtieth anniversary year,” Clifford-Ward commented. KDH opened its doors to the public on June 29^th, 1960.

All of the funds raised at Hey Day are donated to KDH to be used for the direct benefit of patients. Since its founding in 1959, the KDH Auxiliary has raised well over $1 million dollars for the hospital, thanks in large part to Hey Day’s success year over year.

“It has been a privilege to convene Hey Day for the past few years, Stover stated, “and I will miss the coming together of this amazing community. I am looking forward to the next Hey Day, on June 11^thand 12^th, 2021, and hope to see you all there!”

For further information, contact Jolene Stover at 613.558.1761.

About the Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary

The Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) Auxiliary plays a crucial role at KDH, providing volunteers for every area of the hospital and raising funds for the direct benefit of KDH patients. The 200-plus members of the KDH Auxiliary give approximately 12,000 volunteer hours to their community hospital annually. Since its founding in 1959, the Auxiliary has donated more than $1 million to KDH through the operation of its coffee bar/gift shop, memorial donations to the Tribute Fund, and several events throughout the year. The Auxiliary’s major fundraising event is Hey Day, a giant garage sale held the second weekend in June. The profits of all Auxiliary activities are used for the direct benefit of KDH patients, primarily through the purchase of essential medical equipment.

About Kemptville District Hospital

Kemptville District Hospital is Accredited with Exemplary Standing, the highest ranking bestowed by Accreditation Canada. Committed to building healthier communities, we are a model of hospital-led integrated health services within the provincial health system. Kemptville District Hospital consistently ranks among the top hospitals in Ontario for both patient and employee satisfaction. We pride ourselves on being a good partner within the system. Kemptville District Hospital provides acute care hospital services, advanced orthopaedic care, and primary care management services.