In 1947, a group of 50 women gathered in a school classroom to create what is now known as the Altona Health Care Auxiliary. To celebrate 70 years of dedication, the volunteers congregated in the Rhineland Car showroom Wednesday afternoon to reflect on the years come and gone.

A few of the first items donated to the hospital were canned vegetables, supplies for the linen closet and pillows. The organization has come a long way, and has since grown in its ability to donate larger items such as isolation carts, a stretcher, IV lines, wall murals, garden maintenance and items to Katie Cares.

Since 2010, the group has spent $52,000 on contributions to the hospital, as well as many dollars before then.

President Elaine Friesen said this could not have been accomplished without the wholesome group effort the auxiliary carries.

“I think it's the heart of the [volunteers] themselves... and being able to provide for the hospital and care home the items that the budget won't allow,” she said.

In the future, Friesen said she hopes more young people will become involved with the auxiliary as current members choose to step away from the group.

“I think all our hopes are that it will continue and that we will be able to get more younger members to keep on, because all the regional health authorities and the hospitals are cutting budgets, so we need to provide for items that won't be on that budget,” she said.