BARRY’S BAY – Volunteers were busy packing 2,200 envelopes on November 16 in preparation for the annual Tree of Lights campaign.
Nine dedicated women spent the better part of the day sorting through forms and stuffing envelopes, which were mailed out to residents. The work bee has become an annual event, full of teamwork, laughs and hard work, in hopes of raising much needed funds for local healthcare.
The yearly Tree of Lights fundraising campaign is spearheaded by the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation to help cover equipment costs at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. The foundation spends the month of December inviting the community to make donations in honour of their loved ones. Donors can write the names of honoured loved ones on paper bulb cards, which are places around the hospital during the holidays for all to see.
“We are always excited about the Tree of Lights campaign because it gives people such a great opportunity not only to give the gift of health, but to also honour somebody who is so special to you and remembering someone,” foundation Executive Director Toni Lavigne-Conway explained.
Proceeds from this campaign will go toward replacing the hospital’s therapeutic soaker tub, which, as Lavigne-Conway points out, is much needed.
“The current one has been around for a very long time,” she said.
With enough community support, the new room will be retrofitted to accommodate a new tub. The room is critical for patient hygiene, and assists patients with pain relief. Lavigne-Conway also said the soaker tub is also used to help patients with wound management.
Get your November 23, 2016 edition of The Valley Gazette to read the full story.