The Dauphin Health Care Auxiliary officially ceased operations when it presented the last of its funds to the Dauphin Hospital Foundation, Feb. 9.

The $46,312 was entrusted to the foundation to distribute locally with $23,156 designated for use within the Dauphin Regional Health Centre and $23,156 towards designated funds within the Dauphin Personal Care Home.

Dauphin Health Care Auxiliary President Sharon Derhousoff, said the auxiliary’s ability to provide these final gifts on top of all they have provided over the years is due to the support they have always gotten from the community.

“The Dauphin Health Care Auxiliary would like to thank Dauphin and surrounding communities for their support throughout the years,” Derhousoff said. “It is because of the businesses and community members who gave us support through our fund-raising efforts that we were able to accomplish what we did. To the members, thank you for all that you have done.”

And while the Dauphin Hospital Foundation normally welcomes donations of all shapes and sizes, this final gift from the Dauphin is bittersweet, said foundation public relations member Blaine Kraushaar.

“It is with heavy hearts we accept these generous contributions. The Health Care Auxiliary has been rooted in tradition and a long-standing commitment to serve for over 120 years. Our area communities, the DRHC and Dauphin Personal Care Home have been so very fortunate over the years to benefit from the contributions made through the amazing group of volunteers that served,” Kraushaar said. “Their legacy will remain unparalleled and we sincerely thank the membership, past and present, for partnering with us to further meet health care needs within our facilities.”

The Dauphin Hospital Foundation will be further discussing the donations at its next regular board meeting later this month.