British Columbia Children’s Hospital

From the British Columbia Women's Institute News, 1969

For many years, the members of the British Columbia Women's Institutes sewed clothing for the youngsters who were patients in the BC Children's Hospital. The following article provides some additional information on this project and applauds the women behind the sewing machines.

The Women's Institutes  members from every district in British Columbia will be interested in what is currently going on at Children's Hospital, and well they may be, for they are represented by proxy in every ward and department. The Women's Institutes have a clothing project which last year supplied some 500 colourful and well made dresses that are worn daily by every little girl in the hospital from from 2 to 10 years of age. During the fall months a boy's cotton shirt project was developed and by the end of the year our boys were beginning to look as smartly turned out as the girls, for we had received over 100 shirts.

The wonderful response to our need for dresses has enabled us to replace worn out stock for present wear and to keep aside a reasonable supply of most sizes for continuous replacement. Also, there are a number of youngsters who do not have suitable clothing to wear when going home, and we have been able outfit some of those.

Recently we have received some very nice coloured flannelette gowns and pajamas, and for those who prefer to knit, cardigans and pullovers without collars in sizes from infants to ten years are always useful and particularly when the patients are able to be outside in the play area.

Bright, happy colours have been added to an old building with printed drapes in the ward windows facing on hospital corridors. These were made in the  hospital's volunteer sewing room as are most linens and operating room supplies. Amongst those who sew regularly are various members of the Point Grey Women's Institute. New patterns for dresses in all sizes, boy's shirts and gown samples are available from our Public Relations Department here in Vancouver.

Since the beginning, forty-seven years ago, British Columbia Women's Institutes have served Children's Hospital  in many ways and we are deeply appreciative.

We, of the Women's Institutes are very proud of our association with Children's Hospital and wish the Hospital and it's patients all the best in the years to come.

Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women's Institute