A free lunch was on the menu for a late Thanksgiving recently at the Sturgeon Community Hospital with 606 workers deriving the delicious benefits. The meal was a joint effort between the hospital administration and the Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation, not to mention the many people throughout the community who donated money to make it a reality.
Everyone who works at the hospital is considered a front-line hero, as it should be. Their work at all levels to provide first-class health care in our community is nothing short of exemplary, especially under the extreme duress of such circumstances.
The actual luncheon event was held mostly in secret from the public just to make sure it was all about the staff. Community members did have the chance beforehand to contribute $10 to the fund to cover the costs. The hospital and the foundation had heard from many people in the community about how they could show their support and say "thank you" in a meaningful and direct way without getting in the way and by still complying with community health and safety directives surrounding COVID-19.
It sounds like it could have otherwise been a tricky order. Still, the job got done and was reportedly a huge success, a theme very much in keeping with all that front-liners do every day.
Another event is reportedly in the works. Donations can be made through sturgeonhospitalfoundation.org/donate-now.
Compassionate Care volunteers needed
Do you have compassion and are you interested in being a volunteer? If so, SASHA would love to hear from you.
The St. Albert Sturgeon Hospice Association is looking for a few good people to be compassionate care volunteers. It’s not an assignment best suited for every volunteer, but it can make a world of difference for those in palliative care and their caregivers.
Typically, the program involves volunteers going into people’s homes. The current pandemic naturally precluded that possibility, though the program was able to adapt.
“We have to follow the AHS guidelines. What we did instead then is we offered telephone support and that was taken by caregivers, mostly. They're the ones who could benefit more from telephone support. We were able to change our program to meet the needs in other ways,” began Chris Guest, a registered nurse and compassionate care volunteer committee member.
“We were happy to be able to do that. We have been supporting people through telephone support, caregivers mostly, and now we are back in homes as well, and that's been good, too.”
Volunteers come and go as they do with any organization. SASHA prefers to keep eight volunteers on its roster at all times. Right now, it needs three.
Those who are accepted would be trained with a program run by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Association, acquiring respite and companionship skills that would benefit both the person at the end of his or her life and that person’s caregiver. There is no formal nursing involved, but being compassionate is sometimes the best kind of nursing one can give. It requires being an excellent listener and having strong, specific communication skills.
“It's been very well received. At the end of our time with the family, we always send out a questionnaire just to get their feedback. We've heard nothing but excellent feedback — people saying things like they didn't know they needed respite until they had it.”
Another comment from a client who ended up improving and moving out of palliative care originally was “totally against having a volunteer” but did it to help support the caregiver.
“She said, ‘I met a new best friend with the volunteer.’ Things like that really hit you as how important these relationships do become.”
The volunteers benefit from the relationships as well, guest averred, and they love their jobs for it. In turn, SASHA also works hard to support them through what can be an emotionally challenging role.
Those who are interested can learn more and apply by calling 587-921-1345 or by visiting sasha-cares.com/compassionate-care-volunteer-program-2.
WINGS gets unreal for virtual make-believe ball
The 16th annual WINGS of Providence Make-Believe Ball is virtually already underway. That means physical distancing during COVID is not a problem for this online offering.
Rather than dressing up in costume — and mask — for an in-person party, WINGS invites you to stay at home and offer support via its online auction. The fundraiser will help the non-profit organization to provide second-stage shelter and affordable housing for women with children who have experienced family violence.
"Stay home and support women in need" is the event’s tagline. November is Family Violence Prevention Month, after all.
Call 780-426-4985 or visit wingsofprovidence.ca to learn more. The auction runs until 8 p.m. on Nov. 8.
