ESTEVAN — The fourth annual Genco Asphalt Secret Santa campaign for the long-term care unit at St. Joseph's Hospital had a new format this year, but once again there was great support from the community.
Hospital foundation executive director Lori Gervais said they developed an online store for the community to come together and give a little Christmas cheer to the long-term care residents.
The foundation and long-term care came up with a list of gifts and experiences that they thought the residents would enjoy this Christmas.
People could visit www.sjhf.shop to select the gifts. Gervais noted there were 20 different items. Once purchased, supporters received an instant download to their email with a certificate/image saying they sponsored a gift this Christmas. Everyone that purchases a gift will receive special thank-you card from a resident.
"I think we knew that this was going to be a hit," said Gervais.
Common items such as socks, sweaters, activity books and puzzles were on the list, and those were delivered before Christmas, but people could select a pedicure for a resident or a painting class, a catered meal or a happy hour social. Donors could pay for the SMILE Services van to take them to the Festival of Lights at Woodlawn Regional Park or to the Estevan Farmers' Market Christmas sale.
In the past, the foundation offered a gift package for each resident through Secret Santa, and they sold out instantly.
"This has given everybody the option to participate without having to compete to get in there that quickly," said Gervais.
With the new format, it means the residents could receive more gifts than last year.
"The community is fantastic and always has been to come together and support any kind of an initiative. It's not just us and it's not just the community that likes to get together and support the residents of all the different care homes in town," said Gervais.
"But through us specifically, there is definitely more offered and more gifts so that it's not just one gift per resident, this is going to be lots of gifts for each of the residents, and lots of activities and events that they get to participate in."
They have talked about continuing this promotion throughout the year and offering more gifts and experiences. If people still want to donate, they can visit the website.
"Some of the things have sold out, but there is still an opportunity to go in and provide," said Gervais.
Gervais expects they might change out items as needed or provide new opportunities for experiences.
"It's just an opportunity for the community to show support for the residents," said Gervais. "Us as the foundation, we're certainly here for the facilities and the equipment, but the residents of the long-term care, that's their home. This is where they live.
"They are getting medical care, certainly, but they are being provided an environment of their home and their surroundings are permanent, so we want them to feel like they're more at home and less like they're in the hospital."
Gervais is thrilled with the response from the community, especially since they have a new format. The residents are happy with the gifts they receive.
"Especially when it comes to some of these events and some of the experiences for them," said Gervais. "Certainly you want to provide something for them to look forward to. Something different. Anything that we can do to give them something new or some kind of new experience is something they look forward to."
