As an acknowledgement of their generosity, the Regional EMS Foundation has named the Star of Life Scholarship after Dr. Cled and Vivien Lewis (Photo: Regional EMS Foundation)

By Shaun Penner

One Last Gift

Dr. Lewis’ property sale nets $30,000 for Regional EMS Foundation

Aug 26, 2020 | 10:57 AM

Dr. Cled and Vivien Lewis are leaving the Regional EMS Foundation after more than 40 years with a donation of $30,000.

The proceeds come from the fire sale held at the Lewis property on July 18. The Lewis’ had pledged the funds from the items sold, which were the last of their possessions prior to their move to the United Kingdom, to the Regional EMS Foundation.

At least, that was the impression the foundation had in regards to how much they had raised through the sale, prior to putting together a final tally on Tuesday evening.

“When we met last night and said ‘this is our numbers of what has been going through our machines and through the garage sale’. And (the Lewis’) said ‘oh, but we’ve been selling other stuff, too, and this is our numbers ($30,000)’,” said Amanda Frayn, Executive Director of the Regional EMS Foundation.

“It was more than double what we had… so we were pretty shocked and surprised.”

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

Dr. Lewis served as a family physician in Grande Prairie and the medical director for EMS in the north for more than four decades. When they had learned of the Lewis’ desire to donate the proceeds of the sale to the foundation, Frayn called the move “obviously very fitting” of the Lewis’.

The foundation will be putting the money into the Star of LIFE scholarship fund. As an acknowledgement for their generosity, the foundation will be renaming it the Cled and Vivien Lewis Star of Life Scholarship from now until at least the year 2025.

The scholarship is offered to applicants in northern Alberta who are working towards a career in emergency response. Frayn says the fund doles out approximately $10,000 a year in the fall.

Frayn says they are happy for Cled and Vivien as they make their journey across the pond. She teases that the move will finally give Dr. Lewis a chance to finally enjoy retirement after 40-plus years as a family doctor in the Peace Country.

“It’s just time to have their own space and not have to continue to answer medical questions constantly,” Frayn chuckled.

She notes of Dr. Lewis’ final “prescription” as a doctor in the Peace Country.

“He said to just relax, and have the best life.”