Women’s Auxiliary Volunteers celebrate 75 years of “Making SickKids Better”

Dr. Andrew “Laurie” Chute, a former Chief of Paediatrics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), had a problem back in 1949. After several unsuccessful attempts at securing funding for a badly needed new medical library, he turned to his wife for help.

He challenged his spouse – fellow physician Dr. Helen Reid Chute – to organize a women’s group to help come up with the funds. The goal: $2,000.

She accepted. In December 1949, the wives of 11 SickKids physicians met at the Chutes’ home to discuss the idea of creating a women’s auxiliary. And the WAV was born the following year on March 8, 1950.

In its first year, the WAV raised $6,725, the bulk of which came from a successful bazaar held at Casa Loma. The sale provided the funding needed for the medical library – and then some.

The WAV’s founding objective was “To facilitate the care of sick children,” very much in line with the group’s current vision of “Making SickKids Better.” The need to add that extra dimension of care is what got the WAV started and keeps it going to this day – 75 years young.

The WAV currently has more than 240 active members who contribute about 29,000 volunteer hours every year across the hospital. Icons of SickKids such as Bravery Beads, the PlayPark (which celebrated 50 years last year), 5Fifty5 Shop, it’s all the WAV’s doing. And these are just a few examples of the incredible contributions and impact these volunteers have on SickKids.

Lee Booth has volunteered for the WAV for 54 years and is one of its longest-serving members. She remembers wanting to give her time to a good cause and heard from a relative that there was an opportunity at the 5Fifty5 Shop. Her retail and business experience made her a perfect fit – and she hasn’t looked back.

“I love working with the children. When they come in the shop they’re so happy, even if they’re not feeling that way inside. So different from adults in that way,” Lee says. “And when they find something they want, whatever they buy supports SickKids, so it’s very satisfying to be giving back.”

Giving back is the story of the WAV. After toying with the idea of opening a permanent store, the 5Fifty5 Shop opened its doors in October 1952. The steady growth of the shop has ensured a constant flow of funds for SickKids projects, including a new hospital library (again) in 1978 for which $400,000 was pledged.

The WAV’s contributions are significant. They are the only group to have funded five research chairs at SickKids, including the Chair in Neonatology, Haematology/Oncology, Urology and Regenerative Medicine, Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, and Image-Guided Care. In addition, their four Endowment Funds support many of the iconic programs at SickKids, from the beloved Therapeutic Clowns to Communications Disorders.

A “grand benefactor” of SickKids Foundation, the WAV has raised more than $20 million since 1993, making the group one of the top donors.

Lee says the WAV may sell a lot of things and raise money, but the volunteers also provide patients and families with something money cannot buy – comfort and hope. WAV members are friendly faces in such areas as the Family Surgical Waiting Room, Haematology/Oncology Outpatient Clinic and Orthopaedic Clinic, offering patients and family tender words or simply a hand to hold.

“The WAV has changed and evolved, but what’s stayed the same is we’re all like family,” Lee says. “What we do here is very meaningful, not just for us, but for everyone.”

Auctions are a big part of the WAV’s history. In celebration of 75 years, the WAV is hosting an online auction in support of SickKids. Check out all the items up for bid, including event tickets, entertainment plus a baseball autographed by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and so much more! The auction runs from May 1 to 9 (until 9 p.m.).

In celebration of this milestone, below are photos of some of the dear volunteers who make up the WAV and the treasured services they continue to provide after 75 glorious years.

The 5Fifty5 Shop has been in business since October 1952 to raise funds for SickKids, selling a selection of products including toys, gifts and handmade items knitted and crafted by our own WAV members. 

WAV volunteers have been present in the Family Surgical Waiting Room since 1965, supporting caregivers during a stressful time until they are reunited with their children after surgery. 

On the Service Level of SickKids, the WAV sewists gather on a weekly basis to create exclusive handmade items offered for sale at the 5Fifty5 Shop, including pyjamas, doctor hats, head coverings, bibs (all sizes), and peanut and butterfly pillows. As they sew and socialize, they are known to spin and tell a good yarn. 

The WAV Used Booksale couldn’t happen once a month in the Black Wing Food Court without the help of the volunteers. 

The Family Centre is a hub of activity at SickKids and the WAV’s presence is always felt. It provides a range of resources and services, including a children’s library, health information library and Bravery Bead pick-up. The WAV helped launch the Bravery Bead Program, which invites patients at SickKids to collect a different bead for each procedure or event during their treatment journey. In the end they have a necklace symbolic of their unique experience and bravery.

Congratulations to the WAV for 75 years of making waves!