🌸 A Century of Purpose: Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary Launches Centennial Celebration in Support of Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada

EDMONTON, AB – June 19, 2025

Written By Trevor Eliott - Mr. Fancy Fez

In the warmly lit and memory-rich setting of Biff’s Lounge at the Al Shamal Shrine Centre, members and guests gathered to commemorate a momentous milestone: the 100th anniversary of the Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary to Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada.

Held on Thursday, June 19, this kickoff event marked the beginning of a multi-day Centennial celebration, set to continue on Saturday, June 21. The occasion was both reflective and forward-looking — honouring a century of service while envisioning a legacy that extends into the next hundred years.

A focal point of the gathering was the presentation of a $12,000 donation to the Board of Governors of Shriners Children’s Canada — the latest installment in a long-standing tradition of generosity, volunteerism, and unwavering dedication to pediatric care.

🌹 The First One Hundred Years

The Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary was established in 1925, in the same year the Winnipeg Unit of Shriners Hospitals for Children opened its doors. Back then, travel was arduous, medical access was limited, and the notion of free medical care for children was almost revolutionary. The Auxiliary formed in response to a simple but profound truth: Shriners couldn’t do it alone.

What began as a small group of determined women quickly evolved into a structured and high-impact volunteer organization. Their mission was clear — to raise funds and provide material comfort for children receiving care through the Shrine system.

Initially aligned with the Winnipeg Unit, the Auxiliary transitioned to supporting the Montreal hospital after the Winnipeg site was integrated into the provincial system in the late 1970s.

Over the decades, these women have adapted to change, embraced new technologies, and passed traditions from one generation to the next — without ever losing sight of their core purpose.

Today, they remain one of the few active Ladies Auxiliaries in North America — and arguably, one of the most effective.

“This cheque isn’t just a financial contribution,” said longtime member Barbara Slade during the event. “It’s a representation of every hour baked, every quilt sewn, every fundraiser hosted, and every child comforted across a century of giving.”

👒 Stories of Service: The Women Behind the Legacy

Behind every dollar raised and every comfort item delivered are the women whose quiet resilience and joyful camaraderie built the Auxiliary’s enduring legacy. During the kickoff event, guests heard not only from dignitaries and donors — but also from those who lived the Auxiliary’s mission firsthand.

One such member was Mrs. Isabel Gauthier, a longstanding matriarch of the Auxiliary. Her decades of leadership, always humble and hands-on, were recognized with a bouquet of flowers from the team at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada.

“Mrs. Gauthier’s presence is a testament to grace through service,” said Chad Polito, the hospital’s Director of Philanthropy. “Her steady hand, her guidance, and her heart have helped shape generations of volunteers.”

Other speakers highlighted the range of talents within the Auxiliary — from Barbara Thompson, known for her culinary prowess and dedication to the Christmas bazaar, to Gail Disler, who manages the logistics behind many of the group’s key events. Irene Barr, who was unable to attend due to injury, was affectionately recognized as the lead of the afternoon group and a staple in the Auxiliary’s community garage sales.

Of course, humour also played a major role in the day’s storytelling.

“They used to make antipasto by the cazillions,” joked Barry Gogal, his voice warm with nostalgia. “I tried to get the recipe from my wife, Linda — but she told me straight up: ‘That’s a Ladies Auxiliary secret.’ I never got it. Still bitter about that.”

The room erupted in laughter, and with it came a shared sense of memory — of kitchens bustling with laughter, of endless trays of shortbread, and of the thousands of handmade stuffies sewn with love and delivered to Montreal.

🏥 Healing Through Humanity: Shriners Hospital Responds

Perhaps no moment was more moving than when hospital leaders spoke, not just of policy or programs, but of people — the children whose lives have been transformed by the love and labour of the Auxiliary.

Ciro Cucciniello, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors, noted:

“Behind every smiling child at our hospital is an army of unseen supporters. These women — many of whom never meet the families they help — are nonetheless central to their healing.”

Chad Polito, who oversees national philanthropy efforts, shared a series of powerful anecdotes:

• The story of a 95-year-old woman from Markham, Ontario, who became a donor after watching a Shrine commercial and continues to support the hospital in memory of her brother.

• A gentleman who walked in from the streets of Montreal, appearing disheveled, and left after donating $50,000 because the mission moved him so deeply.

• And most memorably, the story of Alex, a two-year-old patient in traction, whose fascination with nearby construction cranes led the crew to unveil a custom banner of support during his recovery.

  
  

“These aren’t just stories,” Polito emphasized. “They are reminders that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It is community, creativity, and compassion — and the Ladies Auxiliary embodies all three.”

💡 EMVP in Action: A Living Blueprint for Organizational Vitality

One of the most compelling dimensions of the Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary’s success lies in its embodiment of the EMVP framework — a strategic model that identifies the four essential pillars of enduring community organizations: Energy, Mentorship, Visibility, and Purpose.

Though the Auxiliary has never formally adopted the framework, their operations, culture, and legacy read like a textbook case study in how EMVP fuels long-term success.

⚡ Energy: Sustained Momentum Through Passion and Presence

Whether it’s a shortbread blitz that spans three days, the coordination of a fashion show, or mobilizing a team to sew over 300 stuffies for delivery to Montreal, the Auxiliary runs on relentless, joyful energy. This is not the frenzied busyness of burnout culture — it’s the disciplined momentum of people who genuinely believe in what they’re doing.

That energy was palpable during the June 19 celebration — from the welcoming hospitality to the perfectly executed cheque presentation and slide show. Even in their centennial year, the Auxiliary remains energetic, organized, and eager to evolve.

“Energy is contagious,” said one volunteer. “When one of us gets excited about a new idea, it doesn’t take long before a dozen more are on board.”

Their ability to generate and sustain enthusiasm across generations, events, and changing leadership is a hallmark of organizations that thrive across time.

🧭 Mentorship: Passing the Torch Without Losing the Flame

The Auxiliary’s century-long success is inseparable from its commitment to mentorship. Senior members intentionally cultivate leadership in others, not through formality, but through example, encouragement, and inclusion.

From Isabel Gauthier to Irene Barr, the Auxiliary has long relied on women who not only serve — but teach others how to serve. That may mean showing someone how to manage a silent auction, how to balance books, or how to write donor thank-you cards with warmth and sincerity.

“I learned how to fundraise not from a manual,” said one newer member, “but from standing beside Gail and watching how she spoke to people.”

Mentorship here is not merely generational — it is relational. It is embedded into the rhythm of the group. As one member joked, “It’s hard not to learn something when you’re shoulder-to-shoulder making cookies for three days straight.”

This practice of passing down both technical skills and institutional memory ensures that the Auxiliary is resilient and regenerative, not dependent on any one individual to lead.

👒 Visibility: Showing Up and Standing Out

In a world saturated with causes, the Ladies Auxiliary has mastered the art of being seen without seeking the spotlight. Their fashion shows, Christmas luncheons, raffles, and public-facing events have made the Auxiliary a beloved fixture in the local community.

More recently, their contributions to the Chez Fezzy Resource and Comfort Bank at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada have made their impact visible far beyond Edmonton. This program — unique among Canadian hospitals — offers families access to donated comfort items, thanks in no small part to the steady shipments of handmade gifts and clothing from the Auxiliary.

“When a child reaches into that bank and finds a soft quilt or a stuffie to hold onto during treatment,” said Chad Polito, “they feel seen, loved, and safe. That’s visibility on a human level.”

What’s more, their presence at official Shrine events, public ceremonies, and community functions ensures that the Shrine mission remains present, personal, and powerful — a legacy carried in part by their example.

🎯 Purpose: The North Star That Never Wavers

Perhaps most significantly, the Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary’s work is grounded in an unmistakable sense of purpose — one that has never required slogans or strategic plans to articulate. Their purpose is felt in every act: to uplift children, to support healing, and to live out the Shrine’s philanthropic mission through love in action.

This clarity of purpose fuels every decision. It explains why the group has remained consistent for a century, and why women from diverse backgrounds continue to show up — year after year, event after event — to carry the torch forward.

“What we do may look like cookies and quilts,” one member explained, “but what we’re really making is comfort. We’re giving children something that says, ‘You matter.’”

That clarity transcends generations. It keeps the Auxiliary from mission drift, guards against burnout, and anchors their work in meaning.

Together, these four pillars — Energy, Mentorship, Visibility, Purpose — form not just a framework but a living ethos. The Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary may not use the EMVP acronym in their day-to-day operations, but they exemplify its spirit in every interaction, event, and contribution.

🔄 Intergenerational Continuity: The Next 100 Years

For all its reverence for tradition, the Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary is also deeply invested in succession and renewal. Several newer members spoke during the weekend about why they joined — and why they stay.

“I came for the cause,” said one member, “but I stayed for the women. I’ve never been part of a group so welcoming, so purposeful, and so joyful about making a difference.”

Others spoke of how the Auxiliary allowed them to reconnect with family legacies — mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers who once served in the same group, standing behind bake tables or delivering knitted hats to hospital wards.

“I’m part of something larger than myself,” another new member shared. “This is not just a volunteer group. It’s a continuum of care stretching across generations.”

That focus on continuity is essential. As more Masonic and Shrine-related auxiliaries struggle to maintain membership, the Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary is demonstrating how intergenerational mentorship, strategic flexibility, and mission clarity can breathe new life into century-old institutions.

✨ A Poetic Farewell, and a Promise for Tomorrow

As the celebration drew to a close, attendees were treated to a Centennial version of a poem originally written for the Auxiliary’s 85th anniversary:

📚 A Living Legacy

In many ways, the Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary is not only a philanthropic body — it is a living archive of what community-based care looks like when practiced with consistency, integrity, and love.

Their contributions are embedded in the infrastructure of Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada. Their names appear in donor rolls, patient memory books, staff thank-you letters, and the minds of families whose children held comfort items during some of their most vulnerable moments.

“You don’t always see where the ripples go,” Helen Kastanis, Manager of Social Services at Shriners Children's - Canada said. “But I can tell you — the ripples from Edmonton reach all the way to Montreal, and far beyond.”

In their own quiet way, these women have created a culture of care — one that transcends titles, institutions, and even time.

🕯️ Lighting the Way Forward

As the Centennial program drew to a close, there was no pomp or spectacle — just a room full of women, standing in solidarity.

“This isn’t the end,” said the Mistress of Ceremonies. “This is a handoff. We are lighting the way forward.”

In that moment, it became clear: the Edmonton Ladies Auxiliary has never just supported a hospital. They have nurtured a vision of what service can look like when it is joyful, intentional, and unbroken across a century.

Their work is a study in sustainability. Their story is a masterclass in legacy. Their impact is a testament to the enduring power of Energy, Mentorship, Visibility, and Purpose.

And as they begin their second century, the message they send is simple, powerful, and clear:

We are still here. We still shine. And we’re just getting started.