Photo Credit: WestJet Canada

By Shane Clausing

Community

WestJet donates surprise Christmas gifts to local seniors home and organization

Dec 15, 2020 | 2:24 PM

Residents of the Lakeside Seniors Home in Clairmont and the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation received a generous donation from WestJet on November 26.

As is tradition for the airline, it continued on with the annual Christmas Miracle campaign despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

With 2020 being a year filled with emotional ups and downs because of COVID-19, WestJet decided that this year, it was more important than ever to give back to the homeless community as well as seniors living in long-term care facilities.

WestJet donated items such as dental kits, shaving kits, blankets and pillows, earbuds, personal protective equipment, and other personal items to senior homes throughout Alberta.

Homeless shelters across the province also received PPE, as well as food and drink items that would have gone unused because of so many flights being cancelled this year.

There were also over 100 hot meals also provided to frontline workers throughout the province.

In total, there was over 2,000 items donated to the Hospital Foundation and the Lakeview Senior’s Home.

Steve Madden, the General Manager of the Grande Spirit Foundation, says that the decision for WestJet to give back to seniors in the community caught him off guard.

“WestJet connected with us and asked if they could put some gifts together to provide to the seniors at our Lakeview facility. They put together the whole thing and showed up at Lakeview and provided the gifts.”

“We were quite surprised, and I know the seniors and staff were quite grateful to see them come and do that. I think they put it all together in Calgary at their main office and flew it up here.”

Once WestJet members arrived in Grande Prairie, they dropped off the items personally at the seniors home and the Hospital Foundation. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the packages had to be transferred into the home at a distance, and then further isolated before they can be given out.

Madden adds that while staff from WestJet could not personally give the gifts to the seniors, it definitely gave them a morale boost.

“The manager’s office was filled straight to the ceiling with these gifts. The seniors were quite surprised. It’s an out of the blue kindness thing that is so appreciated by everyone, especially right now during COVID. This is such a great gift to people to bring their spirits back up. The seniors, as always, extend their thanks to everyone.”

WestJet also created a commercial about the donation. The Lakeside Seniors Home can be seen at the 1:12 mark.

“Even though we may be apart, by giving together we can inspire new traditions and uplift spirits during these challenging times,” said Arved von zur Muehlen , WestJet Chief Commercial Officer, in a statement.

“Throughout the pandemic, Canadians have been stepping up for each other and this holiday season we encourage everyone to celebrate the spirit of Christmas by giving from the heart and supporting local organizations with acts of care.”

An entire breakdown of the items distributed can be found here.

WestJet says that since the COVID-19 pandemic began, they have given over 1.3 million items to organizations in need.