Nearing a million: Wo He Lo clothing sale set to hit fundraising milestone

The Wo He Loused clothing sale might just hit a major fundraising milestone this week.

Over the past 85years, the fundraiser for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's nursery and neonatal intensive care unit has raised nearly a million dollars.

If this week'sthree-day sale starting Wednesday brings in at least$35,000,Wo He Loclub volunteers say they'll surpass that million dollar mark.

"That would feelreally good," said Heather Keith, the club's president, and one of 25 volunteers."Everyone loves babies and everyone of course wants to help those babies that are very fragile.Andknowing we'resupplying the equipment that will help them survive it it really is a good feeling."

'Our friends that donate know we want good quality'

The Wo He Lo Club was started up by a group of womenin 1933, who initially held fundraising teas, and knitted items for babies at the Prince Edward Island Hospital now the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

About40 years ago, Keith says it turned into a major clothing sale that now raises more than $50,000 annually.

Twice a year in the spring and fall club volunteers gatherdonations ofhigh-quality used clothing and accessories, organizethem by gender and size at the hospital,andsellthem to bargain hunters at reasonable prices.

"Our friends that donate know we want good quality, so we're very lucky," said Marie Fudge, who has been part of the Wo He Lo club for 12 years.

Fudge says while what they're selling helps, the real key to the fundraiser'ssuccess is what it's supporting.

From incubators to syringes

Over the years, the sale has allowedthe QEHto regularly purchase and upgrade medical equipment key to supporting premature babies here on P.E.I.,like warmers and incubators.

"Essentially all the equipment we have in the nursery is funded by the Wo-He-Loclub," said Dr. Kathy Morrison, a pediatrician at the hospital. "So the fact they've raised almost a million dollars, or probably surpassed it by the end of this week means we can provide top quality care here on P.E.I."

Morrison says the funds raised this week will be used to purchase four syringe pumps, specially designed for getting drugs to tiny premature babies.

Fudge whose own daughter was born prematurelyand is now a healthy 32-year-old says it's knowing where the money's going that keeps her gathering and organizing all the clothes year after year.

"We've heard from parents of premature babies how grateful they were to be able to stay on the Island, or to come back from Halifax sooner, and to have their families and communities around them," said Fudge."It's really important, and that's the biggest thing for me."

The sale takes place Wednesday through Friday, on the third floor of the QEH.

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