The Stettler Health Services Foundation is looking forward to a busy second half of 2023, all in support of the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre.
First up, Aug. 12 will find the volunteers hosting the foundation’s annual golf tournament, this year at the Pheasantback Golf Course.
The best-ball format tournament will also include supper and a silent auction.
Coming in at the end of November and early December will be the foundation’s annual Festival of Lights.
All the funds raised from the events go back into providing much-needed equipment to the front-line workers in the hospital.
“Without community support, we couldn’t do it,” said Cheryl Barros, the foundation chairperson in a recent interview.
“It’s crazy how much our little town gives.”
Another fundraising initiative undertaken by the organization earlier in the year was decorating Smile Cookies at Tim Horton’s during that business’s annual campaign.
The Stettler Health Services Foundation has been operating since around 1999; since that time the organization has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment and materials to the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre, including $400,000 towards Emergency Department upgrades and $250,000 towards Labour and Delivery.
Other items purchased include vital sign monitors, wheelchairs, palliative care beds, and much more.
The foundation also helps in the recruitment of new doctors by providing a loan to help them get moved and settled.
“We do our best to help,” said Barros.
The Stettler Health Services Foundation solicits requests from all departments of the hospital on an annual basis, then the decision is made as to the greatest need.
For 2023, the foundation is raising funds to purchase two Panda infant warmers and four Medifusion syringe pumps.
The 17 members of the foundation meet every two months during the year and are always looking for new members. Anyone interested in volunteering with the organization is asked to get in touch with current board chair Cheryl Barros at 403-740-2898.
