Volunteers and staff from St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation (SFVH) recently gathered for a work bee at the Barry’s Bay Legion to prepare this year’s Tree of Lights fundraising campaign. Two work parties gathered at different times of day; pictured above is the morning team. From left (seated): Bev Burchat, Ashly Dombroskie, Donna Burchat, Ruth Yantha; Standing behind: Natalie Barrington, Allison Layman, Vicky Wainwright, Karen McLeister, Vivianne Hruby, Pauline Burchat, Erin Gienow.
The annual campaign helps pay for essential medical equipment for St. Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH). Although such items are expensive, there is no funding from the province. The goal is to raise $75,000 by the end of the campaign (Dec.31) that will support the purchase of Vital Signs Monitors, a blanket warmer, a portable patient lift, mattresses, bedside cabinets and a wheelchair scale for the medical unit at SFMH.
Several members of the team told The Current they have made it a seasonal tradition to help with the Tree of Lights campaign; Bev Burchat said this is probably her twelfth year. In contrast, co-op student Ashly Dombroskie said it was her first day helping SFVH. All agreed that it was satisfying work for an important community cause.
Erin Gienow, SVFH Executive Director, reminded us that the campaign itself started 21 years ago, although the mailing campaign has been going on for about half that time. She explained that work bee attendees prepare a mailing campaign comprising more than 2,500 letters that invite the recipient to help purchase medical equipment. She said that Tree of Lights is a special event because people purchase bulbs to help light the Tree in memory, honour or appreciation of someone special. The person’s name is written on one of the bulb cards and is displayed at the hospital. Gienow added, “An idea that is popular is to purchase a bulb as a gift for someone, like a neighbours, teacher, service provider etc. We provide the recipient a special Christmas card acknowledging the gift.”
The Tree Lighting
One of the highlights of the campaign that really has become a Christmas tradition for families in our community is the lighting of the special Christmas tree. To ensure the safety of our community, while keeping the spirit of the season alive … all are invited to attend a special Virtual Tree lighting on Friday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. on the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation Facebook page.
If you don’t receive an invitation in the mail, don’t worry. The Tree of Lights campaign remains open to the end of December. Contact SFVH on 613-756-3045 ext.217 or visit sfvhfoundation.com.
Editor’s Note: This article was corrected on Nov.9 to show Dec.3 as the date for the virtual Tree Lighting.