Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre will be lifting spirits and raising money for patient care by hosting international medium Colette Baron-Reid and her show Messages From Spirit on April 9.
Friends executive director Richelle Belzerowski said fundraising was down during construction of the hospital’s new parkade, which diverted people away from the main entrance of the hospital where the volunteer organization runs Café VA, Present Trends Gift and Flower Shop, and Jolt N Bolt.
“We were a year without a parking lot so that really hit us. Nobody came through those doors anymore so the traffic was just about zero. Vendors left because there was not enough people,” Belzerowski said.
The sluggish economy didn’t help either, she said.
So the volunteer organization decided to try some new fundraising activities. Its first ever garage sale last October raised $10,000 and the upcoming Messages From Spirit show next month could raise as much as $51,000.
“This is exciting. (Baron-Reid) has never been to Red Deer. We’re trying something new.”
Belzerowski said Baron-Reid will be here a few months before Long Island Medium Theresa Caputo appears at the Centrium so people have the opportunity to see both of mediums in action.
Baron-Reid’s will appear at the Memorial Centre which will provide a more intimate setting, and the profit goes to Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
“Colette is very spiritual. She’s not as loud (as Caputo), but they do the same thing. I’m really excited for her and I think it will be good for Red Deer. A great event for a great cause.”
Belzerowski said Messages From Spirit is also a chance to educate the public about Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. It started out as the Volunteer Association in 1980 and changed its name a few years ago.
“A lot of people don’t know us.”
Money raised by the organization goes towards the purchase of equipment for patient care and comfort at the hospital, up to a maximum of $4,999 per item. Items include equipment like heart monitors and blanket warmers, as well as day-to-day supplies like personal grooming toiletries and fare for cab rides home for people in need.
“Most people don’t know about the little stuff that means so much.”
The organization also donates flowers, candy and holiday decorations for hospital food trays delivered to patients, and runs the Secret Santa Shop at the annual Festival of Trees.
In 2015, the organization raised $480,290 that was divvied up between hospital departments and units.
Belzerowski said most of the money comes from pull tickets that volunteers sell at the hospital and Parkland Mall, bingos and casinos.
People can win up to $100 with the 50 cent tickets, and up to $500 with dollar tickets.
She said ticket sales dropped during the economic downturn and when changes at Bower Place compelled the organization to shut its ticket booth at that mall last year.
For over 30 years, Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre has managed for the emergency response system Red Deer Lifeline.
Glynis White-Russell, Red Deer Lifeline co-ordinator, said 630 people in the Red Deer area wear the devices at home. And in the summer a new device called GoSafe will be available that people can wear everywhere.
“They can be walking in the park and fall behind a bush and need help and we’ll know they have fallen. We’ll detect it. We can speak to them through the button. We can locate where they are and call Emergency Services for them,” White-Russell said.
Monitored medication dispensers have been available for five years through the organization.
“We had a couple ladies ending up in ER on a monthly basis because of medication mismanagement. They’ve been on the medication dispenser for two years and neither one has had any admissions for two years. It’s a huge savings for the ER,” White-Russell said.
Betty Steer, who has volunteered at Present Trends Gift Shop for over 30 years, said she enjoys working with the public and staff, and helping the community and hospital.
“I had two children here. I had nine grandchildren here. I had six great-grand babies born here, so it’s a way of giving back,” the senior said.
Messages From Spirit with Colette Baron-Reid, sponsored in part by Big 105.5 FM will be held April 9, 7 p.m., at the Memorial Centre, 216-4214 58th St. Tickets are $94.15 each (includes service fee and GST) and are available at Black Knight Ticket Centre and Present Trends Gift Shop at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
For more information about Friends of Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre visit http://www.friendsoftherdrh.com.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com