The Guilds of the Children's Hospital are incredible groups of ladies committed to the betterment of the health care received by children. They are role models that have made a substantial and important impact on our community. Today, the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is very fortunate to have the support of five guilds who work tirelessly to support our cause.
How it all began…
In 1903, Annie A. Bond arrived in Winnipeg and soon realized that a separate hospital was required to meet the special needs of children. At that time there were only 20 hospital beds available for children. In 1906, she rallied the Local Council of Women and urged them to consider the establishment of a hospital devoted to specifically to the health care needs of kids. Eventually the council appointed a provisional board to study the advisability of such a hospital and stated that all funds would have to be raised by the personal efforts of the council and their friends. This marked a beginning of volunteer service and fundraising by the women of Winnipeg.
On February 6, 1909 the first Winnipeg Children’s Hospital opened in a three-storey home on Beaconsfield Street and what had started as a small group of ladies, branched out into organized Guilds with memberships ranging from 30 to over 100 members.
In 1911 there was a need for a larger hospital and with the aid of some local businessmen and the Guilds’ fundraising projects, enough money was raised to open a new, 100 bed facility on Aberdeen Avenue. All monies for the hospital were raised by the Guilds and by donations from the public. Records indicate that the first provincial government support was in 1915 when a grant of $10,000 was allocated for construction of laundry facilities. The Guilds not only helped the Hospital meet its annual deficit, but managed to raise funds for renovations, medical supplies and contributed to the salaries of a social worker and a nutritionist. They also raised the funds needed to develop the first research projects.
In 1971 when the Children’s Hospital Foundation was formed, the Guilds decided to keep their Children’s Hospital connection alive by supporting the Foundation with funds raised being designated towards research.
In 1990, in honour of their outstanding contribution, the Guilds and Alumni Association of the Children’s Hospital were the proud recipients of the Teddy Award for Builder.
The five Guilds, under the umbrella of Guild Council, were also the first recipients of the Manitoba Premier’s Volunteer Service Award in 1998 for their ongoing support and dedication to the Children’s Hospital.
Today, the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is fortunate to have the support of the following guilds, whose members work tirelessly to support the special health care needs of children in Manitoba. Through their many amazing events, including the Children's Hospital Book Market, the Guilds are an important and vital part of the history of the Foundation. Our current guilds include:
- Annie A. Bond Guild
- Chown Guild
- McKinnon Guild
- St. Agnes Guild
- St. John's Guild