The Polly Harpole Hospital Guild
The Polly Harpole Hospital Guild offers a meaningful way to support WhidbeyHealth while building connections with community-minded women.
The Guild is named in honor of Polly Harpole, Island County’s first public health nurse, who ran the Polly Harpole Maternity Home for over 25 years and spearheaded fundraising efforts to bring a hospital to Whidbey Island.
In 1957, fifteen guilds came together with a shared mission: to raise the funds needed to establish a hospital on Whidbey Island. The Polly Harpole Guild is the last remaining guild from that era, carrying forward the spirit of those dedicated women.
In the hospital’s early days, its founding members not only raised funds but also volunteered within the hospital, playing an essential role in its success.
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Polly Harpole with Twins - Photo courtesy of Island County Historical Museum and Archives
Today’s members continue this legacy, serving as passionate advocates for healthcare on Whidbey Island.
The guild meets quarterly on the first Thursday of January, March, June and October. Members raise funds through three annual events: a summer gathering, a December fundraiser, and a spring style show. Proceeds support two scholarships for Skagit Valley College students pursuing healthcare careers and help hospital departments acquire essential items beyond their current budgets.
The Polly Harpole Hospital Guild warmly welcomes new members.
Email foundation@whidbeyhealth.org if you would like us to connect you with the Polly Harpole Guild.