Skip to content

Tree of Hope fundraiser focuses on Continuing Care upgrades

Now into its sixth year, fundraiser netted $16,000-plus in 2019 for bassinets and rocking chairs for maternity patients
WES Tree O Hope IMG_7687
Westlock Senior’s Health manager Meagonn Forstey, left, and Westlock Health Care Centre site manager Sherry Gough with the Tree of Hope at the hospital. A second one is placed at the entrance to the Continuing Care Centre.

WESTLOCK - Westlock Continuing Care patients — a group that’s been hard hit by the COVID-19 restrictions in place since March — are the focus of this year’s Tree of Hope campaign.

Proceeds from the sixth-annual campaign, which is currently underway and runs until Jan. 6, will be used to get the centre’s six fireplaces back in working order, while any remaining dollars will be used to upgrade the window coverings to the south- and west-facing resident rooms which become warm in the summer and need improved temperature control. Last year the campaign raised over $16,000 which went towards the purchase bassinets and rocking chairs for maternity patients at the Westlock Health Care Centre.

Westlock senior’s health manager Meagonn Forstey, who’s helping co-organize the program this winter with hospital manager Sherry Gough, said it’s been a tough year for their residents due to COVID-19 and the extra precautions now in place limiting the number of visitors to the facility. The centre normally houses 120 residents, which is maximum capacity, and usually has 20 day-support residents, although that program is currently on shelf due to the pandemic.

“The residents of Continuing Care have had to face so many challenges this year with COVID and just to be able to offer them these small bits of comfort will mean so much to them.

They really love the fireplaces, it’s probably one of their favourite features. The fireplaces just need maintenance and repair and that’s something that is quite costly,” said Forstey.

“But it’s also going to mean a lot to them to know that the community is supporting them and rallying behind them. I think a lot of them have felt quite lonely. We’ve taken a lot of steps to keep some form of visiting in place, but it’s certainly not the same way as it was before COVID hit.”

Forstey gave credit to Gough for allowing them to participate in the program, which has raised funds for everything from a pediatric cardiac monitor, to a neonatal monitor and a ventilator.

 “I was really overwhelmed by Sherry’s generosity. The Westlock hospital has really developed this fundraiser … they’re just being so kind to us and giving us the proceeds to make improvements at our site.”

Participation is simple as people are asked to buy an ornament to be placed on one of the two Trees of Hope on display at main entrances of the Westlock Health Care Centre and Continuing Care Centre. There is the option of including a name on each ornament — it may be a donor/business name, a loved one’s name, or in memory of someone special.  All donations, which are tax deductible, will be filled in with the name prior to being added to the tree. 

A $10 donation nets a teddy bear ornament, while $20 buys a candy cane ornament and $25 pays for a candle ornament. A $50 contribution buys a red bulb ornament, $100 nets a bell ornament and $500 buys a bronze star. A $1,000 donation pays for a silver star, $2,000 gets a gold star and a Christmas Tree.  Finally, a donation of $5,000 lights an angel on top of the Tree of Hope. 

Donations will be accepted until Jan. 6 and can be mailed to the Westlock Continuing Care Centre, or dropped off at the Westlock Health Care Centre, or Continuing Care Centre front desk. In order to meet auditor requirements, all cheques are to be made payable to Alberta Health Services and in the memo portion enter “Westlock Tree of Hope.”

For more information call Forstey at 780-350-2089.

George Blais, TownandCountryToday.com

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks