It was a cuddly display from the hearts of many seniors to the people who work so hard to help those who are suffering.
For the nearly 100 residents at Ironwood Estates, nothing shows their appreciation to the city’s emergency responders like a big batch of stuffed animals. During this morning’s appreciation breakfast for the dedicated members of St. Albert’s RCMP, fire and ambulance services, the facility’s representatives handed over their recent collection of several dozen teddy bears to St. Albert Victim Services. This is an annual affair, held to coincide with the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York.
According to the home’s enrichment co-ordinator Leslie Luh-Foley, that event came to represent the height of how much even small cities rely on emergency teams to respond when the call comes.
“It’s to recognize all that they do. They’re here a lot actually,” she said, adding they sometimes come to the independent living retirement facility not because they have to but because they want to. “The residents here are really excited when they do come. A lot of times it’s not for great reasons but many times it’s just to check on the residents.”
The large donation means that Victim Services has a fresh supply of the toys to give out to all people, young and old, who encounter trauma in the community. Even Luh-Foley knows what it feels like to get one. She related her personal story when her family experienced a tragic loss.
“My sister passed away two years ago. Sitting there [when we went back to the house the day of the incident], we had five teddy bears waiting there. My mom grabbed one right away and held onto it. It was really neat to see that they are given out to anyone.”
This represents just one way that Ironwood Estates residents give back to the community. During the year they also hold other collections for the food bank, Christmas hampers and other well-meaning social programs.
“We do a lot of different fundraisers here. The residents really get involved.”
For now, this show of appreciation doesn’t go unnoticed by the city’s emergency teams.
“They’re really pleased with it,” Luh-Foley said.
