Giving Back: IWK Auxiliary

Those of us living in the Maritime provinces count ourselves lucky to have IWK Health as our go-to place for the health of children, women and families in our region. It has been there for so many of us in our happiest times, our saddest times and every time in-between. The amazing volunteers at the IWK Auxiliary support the work of the health centre by providing financial and volunteer assistance to a variety of IWK programs and departments. As a way of giving back, Amos Pewter began to develop a rewarding partnership with the IWK Auxiliary in 2007. Since then, the friendly faces of Auxiliary volunteers have been greeting arriving cruise ship passengers at the Amos Pewter kiosk in the Dockside Shops at the Pier 22 Cruise Pavilion in downtown Halifax. The success of this partnership has resulted in over $400 000 (as of 2020) in funds raised to support the work of the Auxiliary. 2020 was certainly a different year, one in which we all missed the visitors to our beautiful corner of the world. The cancellation of the cruise season meant that the cruise pavilion was shut down. But when life throws you lemons, make lemonade! We were so pleased to have been able to be part of connecting people by spreading Hugs in support of the IWK Auxiliary. Thousands of Pewter Hug Pocket Charms, specially designed for the IWK Auxiliary, were sent worldwide to friends and relatives, colleagues and customers, essential workers and even to the Prime Minister and Premiers as well as the Chief Medical Officers of Health across Canada with all proceeds of sales being donated to the Auxiliary.

We look forward to a return to days when we can join with the Auxiliary volunteers in once again offering a friendly Nova Scotia welcome to our cruise ship passengers.