When Dale Hodge moved to the Northumberland community in 2002, she brought with her a passion for supporting healthcare, and years of hands-on volunteer experience in a hospital setting.
With family ties in the area, Dale and her husband, Alan, chose to make Northumberland County their new home following Alan’s retirement. Our hospital – and our community – has benefited ever since.
“You never see Dale without a huge smile on her face,” shares Rhonda Cunningham, NHH Foundation CEO. “She is always looking for a way to say yes, to work together, and make the most of every opportunity to help our hospital. We gained far more than new neighbours when Dale and Alan made Northumberland their home.”
For more than 20 years, Dale volunteered at SickKids Hospital, where she served in a variety of roles and leadership positions, including with the 555 Shop where she learned retail skills. She brought that experience with her when she joined the NHH Auxiliary in 2006. She has served as the Coordinator of The Little Treasure Shop – the hospital’s much-loved gift shop – ever since. Over these nearly 20 years helping NHH and the shop thrive, Dale has also held leadership roles within the Auxiliary, including serving as President from 2008-2010.
Dale’s involvement goes beyond volunteering her time. She’s a familiar face and trusted presence, sharing her wisdom and experience with staff and volunteers. She and Alan have made supporting the Foundation a priority since moving to the community. Often giving their support quietly, they show up time and time again to help our hospital in many ways.
When asked what makes the hospital special, Dale shares she likes the friendly feel amongst the team and the relationships that have developed between the hospital staff and volunteers. She is also quick to give credit to the team of volunteers she works with in The Little Treasure Shop, sharing how important they have been both in contributing to the success of ‘The Shop’ and in making it a joy to be involved with – in her words, she has, “a wonderful team.”
Outside the hospital, Dale and Alan have been happily married for 58 years. Together, they raised three sons and now have the pleasure of being grandparents to six grandchildren.
For Dale, her years of volunteering have helped shape who she is today – her varied experience has fostered confidence and personal growth and given her an opportunity to work alongside many different people. ‘The Shop’ has become almost a home away from home and she hopes her contributions, in big and small ways, help ensure our hospital can continueto plan for the future and care for our community for generations to come.
