A Legacy of Service
David Poynton’s journey of giving back to Sunnybrook in honour of his parents’ combined 70 years of volunteer service to the Hospital.
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After a visit to his family’s cemetery plot in Perth, Ontario, David Poynton began what he calls his “quest for greater discovery.”
“I wanted to better understand the contributions of my ancestors after researching about my maternal Grandfather Hope,” says the retired Bay Street lawyer and life-long mining entrepreneur.
The stories he unearthed about the generations of Veterans, community builders, judicial and Royal Commission positions, educational leaders and tireless volunteers left him overwhelmed with both awe and emotion – and “filled with a sense of having to do something to honour their many contributions beyond the stone markers in the cemetery.”
His Grandfather Hope, who was a “Son of Perth” and founded its hospital; his Uncle Rex, who gave his life as a flying ace in the Second World War; and most recently, the stand-out example of his parents.
David’s parents, Jack and Judy Poynton, who died in 2012 and 2023, respectively, impacted the lives of countless patients and their families. Together, they gave back to the community by contributing more than 70 years combined as proud and devoted Sunnybrook volunteers.
Paying it forward
Reading about and remembering their extraordinary acts of service inspired David to make his own gift as a tribute in their honour.
David established the Jack and Judy Poynton Volunteer Resources Fund at Sunnybrook as a tribute to his parents by advancing volunteer projects and initiatives that improve the patient experience.
Among many potential impacts, the Poynton Fund could enable the purchase of iPads used by volunteers for a number of purposes, including assisting patients with information, supporting wayfinding needs and providing training guides for volunteers.
The Fund can also enhance patient and family comfort by supporting self-care kits with basic necessities like a toothbrush, lip balm and tissues, or for additional stackable wheelchairs that are needed by many to travel around Sunnybrook’s extensive Bayview Campus.
David hopes others may recognize our volunteers by supporting this new Fund.
“A fund like this gives us the flexibility to act when needed – when technology needs updating, or when new projects are identified by Hospital staff and volunteers.”Katherine Alexopoulos, Sunnybrook’s Director of Volunteer Resources
A breadth of support to reflect Jack and Judy’s service
“For example, we might purchase new technology for Courtesy Services volunteers to use that enhances wayfinding,” she notes.
“Or, we can purchase items for Healthy Stay Volunteers to provide patients with increased opportunities for socialization, engagement in stimulating activities like puzzles, or track key patient metrics like hydration, mobilization and socialization. This reflects the impact of volunteers on delirium prevention as well as patient experience.”
The breadth of Jack and Judy Poynton’s volunteer service at Sunnybrook means that we can honour their wide-reaching impact by allocating the funds across a variety of program areas and needs.
Judy volunteered in the Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, assisted with volunteer training, and served as both president and treasurer of the former Sunnybrook Volunteer Association Board of Directors. Jack oversaw the revitalization of a campus greenhouse and organized the Green Thumbs volunteers before moving to an information desk role.
Both were honoured for their contributions with Sunnybrook long-service awards, and the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario Provincial Life Member Award.
“Sunnybrook was their community. It was the place they chose to be involved and many of the people here were their closest friends,” Katherine says of the couple, whom she remembers fondly.
As a tangible and lasting recognition, the main volunteer resources office has been named the “Jack & Judy Poynton Volunteer Resources Office.”
A Legacy for the future
In addition to his founding gift, David plans to make additional annual contributions to ensure the stability and longevity of the Jack and Judy Poynton Volunteer Resources Fund.
He has also included a bequest to Sunnybrook in his Will as another way of carrying forward his recognition of his parents’ commitment to improving the patient experience at Sunnybrook.
Most importantly, he hopes his actions motivate others to give back, in much the same way prior generations inspired him.
“There’s so much more to any of us than a stone, however beautiful, in a cemetery. I think anyone, my parents included, would be pleased to leave a legacy at Sunnybrook. This initiative comes from both my brother Thomas John and me as a unique act that I think our parents would be particularly touched by, and proud of.”
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