Photo: Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation

By Shane Clausing

covid-19

Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation launches initiative to help frontline workers, patients and seniors

Apr 3, 2020 | 8:09 AM

The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation has launched a new initiative, the Peace Country String 0 COVID 19 Greatest Need Fund, to help frontline workers, patients and seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 26, Alberta Health Services (AHS) banned its staff from accepting food donations of any kind from members from public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

While the announcement from AHS came as a disappointment to many who wanted to help out, the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation decided to launch a program that will accept cash donations and gift-cards, that will be used to buy food for healthcare workers during this challenging time.

“The best way for us to support our team is by helping provide meals, because they’re working extra long shifts,” said Keith Curtis, Executive Director of Hospital Foundation.

By donating cash or gift-cards, the foundation will ensure that workers get fed. The cash will be used to purchase gift-cards for hospital workers.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

The Hospital Foundation is also using money raised to help patients and seniors who are at Mackenzie Place connect with their loved ones by using iPad’s.

Because of the strict health and safety measurements at Mackenzie Place, many patients or seniors are stuck inside and are limited to visitors. They aren’t allowed to leave or have visitors as they’re most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Curtis says it’s critical to help them out, in what is a very lonely time for many of them.

“It’s been really hard on patients and residents within the facility. Were raising funds to purchase Bluetooth speakers and iPad’s so they can connect with the outside world with their loved ones and families. Especially here in the North Peace country because we’re so spread out its not like they can just yell out the window and say ‘hi!’ they need some way to communicate and this is the way they can actually see faces and their loved ones when they’re talking to them and hopefully it minimizes that isolation that they’re already feeling.”

Curtis adds that the effort to get tablets to patients and seniors is basically an extension to their bedside engagement program that will be launched at the new GP Regional Hospital. Every bed at the new facility will have access to either a tablet or a smart tv.

The foundation is hoping to raise $20,000 – $25,000 for front of the line workers, patients and seniors.