When walking down the hall of the maternity ward at the 100 Mile District General Hospital, people will see a new addition to the hospital family.
The Baby Wall is up and waiting for parents, grandparents or any person to purchase a plaque in honour of their baby. At the same time, they would be making a difference in the community, by helping the South Cariboo Health Foundation (SCHF).
“Several years ago during a trip to Dawson Creek, Sandy Foster and I went through the hospital for ideas to help with our foundation. We saw a baby wall, and there were clay plaques with a foot print and the baby’s weight, name and date of birth,” says SCHF board member Jeff Kendy.
“It has taken a while, but with the help from fellow board member Heidi Read, we have our own wall now.”
For a donation of $100, there are blue or pink framed cross-stitched patterns, with the baby’s name, weight, and date of birth.
The SCHF receives $75 of the $100 donation, and Janice Sidor, who creates the cross-stitches, receives $25.
People are welcome to purchase a plaque, Kendy says, adding even if the baby was born in the last 10 years, and it will be there as a lasting legacy.
All of the funds raised here and all the donations we receive, stay in this community and for this hospital, says Kendy.
“We help out as much as we can to fulfill the needs and requests of the nurses and the public, in co-operation with Interior Health.”
Money raised by donations or fundraisers has helped in part: the updates to the emergency room; purchase of the handicap bus; and the addition to Fischer Place, says Kendy.
“One only has to go our hospital to see what kind of work the health foundation, along with the Women’s Auxiliary, and Interior Health have done.
“Without fundraising, like the
Baby Wall, and donations by individuals and businesses, not all of the projects would have been completed.”
For more information, pick up a sheet at the Baby Wall in the hospital, or you can visit the SCHF website at www.southcariboo health.com.