| 1914 |
First nurse hired, Miss Mabel Mathews, 125 visits were
made to 17 patients, collected $35 in fees – nurse was paid $700 a year.
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| 1917 |
More doctors were grateful for the VON services – visits
increased.
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| 1918 |
Flu epidemic – workload increased – demand for a car which was loaned by Miss Peer a local VON supporter.
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| 1919 |
The City of Woodstock Council purchased a car for VON – the nurse, Miss Weber, no longer had to walk from house to house. Maternity work expanded and 2500 nursing visits were made and the nurse’s salary was $85 a month.
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| 1921 |
Well Baby Clinics were held by VON nurses (2). Red Cross paid for all Clinic expenses. Parents with sick children were given a ticket to see the Doctor free of charge. Another epidemic plagued Woodstock and because of their efforts, the importance of VON was recognized by City Council who then gave the Branch a yearly grant and maintained the VON car.
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| 1929 |
More than half of the babies born in Woodstock were under the care of the VON nurses. Infant mortality rate remained high.
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| 1930 |
The Great Depression caused many challenges, 18% of the visits were free (232). Public Health nurses started to work closely with VON. Public Health took over the education work as well as older babies (six weeks of age) and made home visits.
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| 1931 |
Office moved from a tiny corner in the Public Library to a more spacious office in the County Court House.
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| 1936 |
Branch funds were insufficient for yearly expenses. Bank loans were needed as well as an increase to the nursing visit fee.
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| 1939 |
Royal visit of King George VI and the Queen Mother. VON once again did public health visits. World War II brought an increase in visits, providing help, reassurance and quite often a sympathetic ear.
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| 1940 |
50% of all nursing care was provided free. The financial situation caused much stress for the Board of Directors. Nursing students from Woodstock General Hospital spent more time with VON. Public Health Nurses also received training from VON staff.
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| 1945 |
Ruth Taylor became the nurse in charge and stayed with VON for 23 years.
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| 1946 |
Most expectant mothers were now being hospitalized. Fundraising reached its highest volume and with the city grant the operating budget increased to almost $5000.00.VON Canada celebrated 50 years of service.
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| 1949 |
The Cancer Society paid VON 50 cents for each visit made to a cancer patient. Industrial nursing started at the Standard Tube plant under the Confederation Life Insurance Company. 5000 nursing visits were made.
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| 1950 |
Focus changed from post-natal work to geriatrics. As a result free visits decreased. Both nurses had cars. Prenatal work continued
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| 1953 |
Formation of VON Ontario with Mrs. Doris Hugh, VON Woodstock Branch Representative.
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| 1956 |
VON Oxford became incorporated as a non-profit organization January 13th. Visits expanded to a 2 mile radius of Woodstock.
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| 1957 |
Provincial government announced $80,000 for local Branches. VON Woodstock was allotted $472.00.
A third nurse was hired – Muriel Likens (Campbell), she had worked relief since 1944.
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| 1958 |
Well Baby Clinics given to Public Health. VON taught Babysitters classes for the YWCA.
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| 1959 |
Donation of filing cabinet. After waiting 17 years the nurses wasted no time in sorting papers for filing. Received money from a United Appeal (now United Way). VON celebrated 50 years locally.
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| 1965 |
United Appeal funding $5,984.94. City Council paid the deficit.
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| 1970 |
VON Office received a typewriter, and electric adding machine, 24 hour answering service and staff increased to 3 full time and 2 part time nurses in Woodstock and one relief nurse in Tillsonburg. This was due to the growth of elderly care.
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| 1974 |
Home Care Program established and was funded by Ontario Ministry Of Health. VON provided nursing visits.
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| 1979 |
Friendly Visiting Program was started with Clare Tomlinson as coordinator.
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| 1980 |
Meals on Wheels started after local Kinettes had managed for 13 years. Leslie Bullen was the first coordinator.
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| 1984 |
Adult Day Centre launched June 11. Dianne Hodges was the first coordinator.
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| 1987 |
VON office moved from County Library to the Ethel Finkle Building at Woodstock General Hospital. Tillsonburg had an office located in the Lisgar Plaza. Senior Information Service was introduced with Irene Priest as coordinator.
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| 1989 |
Purchased first computer.
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| 1990 |
Nursing Visits was rapidly increasing, providing care to all ages. There was decreased government funding for all programs.
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| 1993 |
First Direct Mail Campaign.
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| 1994 |
Diversified service: Therapeutic Touch, Complex Care, Respite Care, Massage Therapy and Continence Management. Competitive Process for Visiting Nursing was introduced – VON was successful.
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| 1997 |
Expansion for many programs. One hundred years of caring throughout Canada. Victorian teas were held in Ingersoll, Tavistock, Woodstock and Tillsonburg.
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| 1998 |
VON honours Doris Hugh for her outstanding contribution. She gave 58 years of voluntary service in different capacities to VON Oxford. A joint venture with Tillsonburg Memorial Hospital began to expand our Adult day program to a Wellness Day program. Caregiver Support Program was launched to allow people to network with their peers in similar situations.
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| 1999 |
Planned Giving Program receives first bequest. Over 2,500
People, service clubs and businesses made donations through various fundraising activities. Nursing Program losing contract with CCAC. Restructuring of branch takes place with an increase in focus on Community Support Services.
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| 2000 |
Wellness and Flu clinics expand. Volunteers were honoured at the Annual Volunteer Appreciation. A Silent Auction and Dance was held at Oxford Auditorium as a future annual event.
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| 2001 |
SMART Exercise Program was started with Beth Munro as coordinator. Group exercises launched throughout the county.
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| 2002 |
Moved into 570 Ingersoll Ave. housing all administration offices, as well as our Adult Day Program. Private Nursing and Personal Support started. Hospice Oxford joined VON as Hospice Volunteer Visiting Program.
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| 2003 |
Ad Mail continues to increase in revenue. Hike for Hospice added as an annual event. Wellness Day Program in Tillsonburg moved from Tillsonburg Hospital to 24 Brock St. Special Services at Home opened a sub office in Tillsonburg which provided a meeting room for all VON county wide programs. VON continues to develop partners in the community.
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| 2004 |
Ingersoll Adult Day Program moves from Alexandra Hospital to 121 Thames Street to improve accessibility for their clients. Another three year Accreditation was secured from CCHSA. Our Adult Day Programs celebrated 20 years of service. New funding for Hospice Services from the Ministry of Health and Long Term-Care.
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| 2005 |
Home Help Program launched with a sliding scale for fee for
service. Smart-In-Home started with an Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant. Donation of a house from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Inc to be renovated into a community residential hospice house was announced in October. VON partners with the community to start planning for the future end-of-life care facility.
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| 2006 |
Hospice House named Sakura House. Planning still in progress for the future renovations to the donated house.
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About VON |