An exceptional volunteering!

It is with a big twinge of heart that Jeanne D'Arc Tardif hands over the keys to the Hôtel-Dieu store after 42 years of volunteer involvement. In 1983, a young retiree from teaching, she wanted to do her part for the sick and she quickly found her new vocation at this shop which, since its creation in 1971 by the Association of Volunteer Auxiliaries, has donated the profits to projects that benefit patients.

“You have to see the reality: I am getting older and so is the team. Many of our volunteers are over 80 years old and we have no succession,” explains Ms. Tardif, who is the Executive Director of the Association. She is 90 years old herself, as devoted and alert as ever, taking her messages on her smartwatch!

However, in order to ensure the survival of the store, Ms. Tardif and her colleagues, who have also accumulated decades of volunteering for several, turned to the Fondation du CHUS, which agreed to take over as of October 1st.

“We can't help but be impressed by all the work done by volunteer assistants who have done so much good for patients for over 50 years! It is with all respect that we are taking over the management of the store and that we will continue the mission of the auxiliaries”, confides the CEO of the Fondation du CHUS, Martin Clermont.

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In the last ten years, no less than $700,000 have been invested in various projects by volunteer assistants, says Ms. Tardif. “One of my great satisfactions is also to have been a comforting presence with patients, including palliative care. Before the pandemic, we had a happiness tour where we gave small gifts or we sold coffee upstairs. People were happy to see us, for some, we were their only visit,” she recalls. “It's important all the help we give.”

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“It's also a pleasure to work together,” adds Mary Crépeau, who was in charge of the store for 40 years and whose health problems led her to stop volunteering last summer. An obvious pleasure confirmed by the other volunteers, some of whom will continue to welcome customers at the shop located at the main entrance of the Hôtel-Dieu, always for the benefit of health!

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