Every day, volunteers give their time to make the days of clients, residents and patients a little brighter.
On June 7, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) staff in Rosetown returned the favour, providing a grab-and-go breakfast for area volunteers.
Bridgette Hilmoe (far left) and PCCU colleagues Stevie Dyok (L-R), Lee-Ann Cordes, Bailey Imlach and Tanya Morris pick up their breakfast bags.
“I’m not sure what we would do without volunteers because they are just amazing!” said Kathie Delowsky, the volunteer co-ordinator for the SHA in Rosetown who has managed the event for the past decade. “It’s wonderful to see the volunteer commitment and how people help us every day.”
“Volunteers are essential to the success of many of our programs such as Meals on Wheels as they help us ensure those who cannot easily leave their residences have regular, nutritious meals,” said Delowsky. “Volunteers also assist with things such as driving people to appointments, running errands and visiting with the elderly in the community, residents in long-term care and patients in the hospital.”
This year’s event was held in the parking lot between the Rosetown and District Health Centre and the Rosetown Office of the SHA from 7-10 a.m. SHA staff members handed out breakfast bags, decorated by Walter Aseltine Elementary School students, to volunteers as they pulled up in their vehicles. Inside each bag was a breakfast sandwich, muffin, juice or coffee and other goodies. Organizers ensured the breakfast took place on a weekday so students and those with day jobs could participate. Those who were able could socialize and those with time pressures could be on their way.
This year, SHA staff served more than 80 breakfasts.
SHA volunteer Adele Houston takes part in the appreciation breakfast held in Rosetown.
Bridget Hilmoe, Deposit Service Manager for the Prairie Centre Credit Union (PCCU) in Rosetown was among the volunteers enjoying the fare. She and some of her staff picked up breakfasts for themselves and other PCCU staff who are active SHA volunteers but were unable to leave the office that morning.
“I just love Rosetown!” said Hilmoe. “Where can you go where you get a homemade warm breakfast like we enjoyed? The breakfast was both delicious and fuel for the soul -- just what we needed to get our day going right. You know what makes us want to continue to give back to the community? People appreciating people like us. Big smiles and hugs to say, ‘thank you’ for our efforts – it’s truly appreciated.”