Like most hospital foundations, St. Joseph鈥檚 Hospital Foundation heavily relies on small business support. And according to the executive director Breanne Van de Woestyne, Estevan鈥檚 business community always exceeds expectations when it comes to donations.聽
鈥淭he foundation runs off the small business donations. It鈥檚 a huge part of our success and why we are here. We are constantly working with small businesses in Estevan and surrounding communities to not only help our hospital but also to be able to put on the events such as the Festival of Trees,鈥� said Van de Woestyne.
The Festival of Trees is the biggest annual fundraiser for the St. Joseph鈥檚 Hospital Foundation and a big event for the community. And if not for the small business involvement none of it would be possible.
鈥淲e are very, very grateful for that support and we just love working with people who we help, that鈥檚 the point of the foundation is that we are helping our community, and working with the small businesses is just putting it into perspective that we are all working together for one great cause,鈥� said Van de Woestyne.聽
Besides the Festival of Trees, the foundation has different campaigns and events that they do throughout the year.
鈥淲e get a lot of support from the businesses whether it鈥檚 through the donations or even through the donation of goods and services, which is definitely a big one for us as well. That鈥檚 definitely evident throughout the year, it鈥檚 not just in November,鈥� said Van de Woestyne.
But the November Festival of Trees is the central event.
鈥淲e try to include as many businesses as we can and whether it鈥檚 a donation or volunteering their time as part of their company, it鈥檚 just something that we do to work with the local businesses.鈥�
This year the Festival of Trees will take place on Nov. 15-17. And already by mid-October almost all tables for the gala were spoken for.
鈥淎 great example of the support from local small businesses, this year's Festival of Trees Gals is almost sold out. It鈥檚 over 80 tables all purchased by local businesses,鈥� said Van de Woestyne.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also very evident through our sponsorship agreements鈥� We have a full aisle of raffles this year all featuring local businesses, big or small,鈥� said Van de Woestyne.
Not only does the event raise a large amount of money for the hospital, but it also creates a great Christmas spirit and wonderful entertainment for the community.
Van de Woestyne noted that the level of support in Estevan is huge in comparison to places she鈥檚 been to before.
鈥淚t鈥檚 actually something that I get phone calls about from other foundations throughout Saskatchewan. They are so impressed with local community support and the local small businesses support that we do receive.
鈥淲e are one foundation that we can really stand on our own. We are very, very lucky to live in the community that has so many different small and large business owners that are also local that really see the value of local healthcare and very passionate to give back to that cause.鈥�
And even considering the current state of the economy, Van de Woestyne said the level of support they receive is not going down.
鈥淚t makes it even more special, just to know that the economy may not be where it was four years ago, but we still have support from local businesses."聽
The support that the foundation receives from the business community allows them to upgrade the ever-changing equipment and keep the hospital up to high standards.
