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High School Grad classes to raise funds for Kerry Wood Nature Centre and Red Deer Hospice

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From Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

Each year the graduating class from École Secondaire Notre Dame High School chooses a charity to raise funds for through their Grad Service Project.  This year Kerry Wood Nature Centre was chosen as the recipient of monies raised.

One hundred per cent of the funds raised will go to support nature play programming, Nature for New Canadians programs and to expand the Nova Chemicals Imagination Grove Nature PlaySpace. The students’ goal is to raise $40,000 for Kerry Wood Nature Centre.

“Students were excited to choose a charity that can impact everyone in our community. They love the idea of families getting outside to play, learn and spend time together while reconnecting with nature,” saidPrincipal, Rose McQuay at École Secondaire Notre Dame High School.      

Grad Service Project week will take place on March 9 – 14. Each day, teams of a teacher and six students will work together to compete in challenges and earn points. The final days of the will be the biggest competition, where student teams along with a team parent will compete in a 23-hour extreme scavenger hunt throughout Red Deer. The challenge is to collect all 2020 items on the list. Prizes will be awarded to the teams that earn the most points and for those that raise the most money.

For more information about the École Secondaire Notre Dame High School grad service project, please visit notredamehigh.ca

École Secondaire Notre Dame High School serves about 1130 Grade 10 to 12 students in Lancaster subdivision in southeast Red Deer. As a learning institution, the École Secondaire Notre Dame High School is committed to serving students with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings.

 

Grade 12 students at St. Joseph High School have chosen to support the Hospice Society of Red Deer through their Grad Service project. The Grad Committee chose the Hospice Society to raise awareness and support the families going through this difficult stage of life.

 

“We are so excited to be raising funds and awareness for the Hospice Society of Red Deer this year! Our students chose the aging community as an area they would like to focus on as it aligned with their issues-of-interest they identified and with our faith journey as a school. Helping those during this difficult time in their lives is something our grad committee is very passionate about and I look forward to seeing what this year brings as we kick-off our third grad service project,” said Grad Service Project Coordinator, Ashley Visscher at St. Joseph High School.

Through the Grad Service Project, students have the opportunity to volunteer at the Hospice Society of Red Deer and spend time with residents. This includes sharing their own gifts and talents with patients, as well as assisting with the annual Hospice Society Gala in March 2020.

“We are very excited to assist the Hospice Society of Red Deer this year because their work reflects the values we believe are important in choosing a charity, such as community, assisting senior citizens, as well as helping those who are struggling with health problems,” said Emily Cassels, Marian Canas and Bryanne Wandler, students at St. Joseph High School.

“We at the Red Deer Hospice are so thankful to the grad committee at St. Joseph High School. The fact that young students would select hospice among a number of worthy charities in our community, makes a profound statement about our youth today. To support the Expansion of our Home and our end of life palliative care for our residents, says that students care and respect the care we provide our increasingly aging senior population,” said Chairman James McPherson, Board of Directors of the Red Deer Hospice.

St. Joseph High School serves over 725 Grade 10 to 12 students in Red Deer. As a learning institution, the St. Joseph High School is committed to serving students with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings.

 

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Festival of Trees tickets on sale! Update from the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation

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Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!

If you want to taste all the flavors at Festival of Wines & Spirits, experience the enchantment of Mistletoe Magic, or treat your family to a morning of fun at Festival Pajama Breakfast, it’s time to buy your tickets!

Learn all about Festival of Trees and purchase your tickets at reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca!

Red Deer Regional Health Foundation Announces Cath Lab Opening 5 Years Ahead of Schedule

The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, in collaboration with AHS, is proud to announce the fast-tracked opening of a Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. With a permanent facility scheduled for completion in five years, this critical fixture will allow for care on an accelerated timeline, offering life-saving cardiac care to the residents of Central Alberta.

Manon Therriault, CEO of the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, emphasized the significance of this development. “In cardiac care, time isn’t just money—it’s muscle. The earlier patients receive treatment, the better their chances of recovery. This Cath Lab, coming approximately five years earlier than expected, could save up to 160 lives.”

The Cath Lab, which will be housed in a retrofitted space within the current hospital, will allow local cardiac patients to receive urgent care in Red Deer instead of requiring transfers to hospitals in Calgary or Edmonton. In the future, the lab will be transformed into a cutting-edge Vascular and Neurology Lab, going above and beyond the broader Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre Redevelopment Project, which represents a $1.8 billion investment—the largest hospital expansion in Alberta’s history. The ability to support projects of this importance would not be possible without our donors.

The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation is providing financial support for the essential architectural, mechanical, and electrical upgrades. “This Cath Lab represents an immediate leap forward in improving local healthcare. We’re not waiting to make a difference in the lives of Central Albertans,” said Therriault.

“Through this Memorandum of Understanding with our Foundation partners, we’re underscoring our commitment to enhancing the cardiac care available at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre,” says Karen Foudy, AHS Senior Operating Officer for Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. “By establishing an interim catheterization laboratory, we will be able to provide a new service to patient’s years ahead of the completion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre Redevelopment Project which will help reduce the need for cardiac patients to travel to other facilities.

This will also support our efforts to recruit and retain the talented healthcare professionals needed to provide care every day to our patients.”

Women Leading Philanthropy Event Supports Mothers Through the EMBRACE Program

On October 9th, Women Leading Philanthropy (WLP) hosted an invigorating gathering of 60

attendees, all coming together for a meaningful evening in support of the EMBRACE program.

The event highlighted WLP’s dedication to empowering women and making a difference in the

lives of those who need it most.

The EMBRACE program is a vital initiative aimed at supporting women with a history of

substance use during pregnancy. EMBRACE stands for Empowering Mothers and Families,

Mentorship, Building Healthy Relationships, Respect, Actively Listening and Learning,

Collaboration, and Engagement. At the heart of the program is a collaborative care approach,

ensuring that mothers receive comprehensive support throughout pregnancy and into the

postpartum period. The ultimate goal is to empower these mothers to be the primary caregivers

for their babies, equipping them with the tools and confidence they need to thrive.

During the evening, a guest speaker moved the audience with personal stories of her own

journey and that of another mother’s experience with EMBRACE. She shared how the program

had been a source of strength and guidance during some of the most difficult moments in their

lives, underscoring the powerful impact of community support.

As part of the fundraising efforts, EMBRACE totes—special bags given to mothers during their

stay in the hospital—were auctioned off. Each tote is filled with approximately $100 worth of

essential items for both mother and baby, including personal hygiene and comfort items, snacks,

things to pass the time in the hospital, and baby necessities like sleepers, sleep sacks, and

soothers.

Looking ahead, WLP is excited to grow its membership and continue selecting impactful causes

to support. The energy and passion shared at events like this are a testament to the power of

collective philanthropy.

Reflecting on the event, WLP member Sara Gerrard shared, “Being part of a group that

empowers women through philanthropy is incredibly rewarding. Events like ‘Connect for a

Cause’ in support of the EMBRACE program not only showcase the collective impact we can

have but also inspire us to strive for even greater change. Together, we’re making a difference,

one initiative at a time.”

With such a strong start, WLP is eager to see what the future holds as they continue to engage

in meaningful causes and strengthen their impact on the community.

VIEW OUR IMPACT REPORT

Red Deer Regional Health Foundation raises and disburses funds for programs, services, and the purchase of medical equipment for the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and other health centres in Central Alberta.

Click here to view a list of some of the equipment recently funded by our generous donors.

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First Battle of Alberta this NHL season to bring big boost to Child Advocacy Centre!

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From the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre

The Edmonton Oilers MEGA 50/50 is BACK in support of three amazing organizations 💙🧡

By purchasing your Oilers MEGA 50/50 tickets today, you’re helping to support the CACAC, along with Little Warriors and Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre .

Purchase before 1PM to be eligible for all 4 early bird prizes, including a $500 Esso card, 2 PCL Loge Arkells tickets for November 1, $1000 for Alberta Beef, and $10,000 CASH!

Early Bird draws!

Buy before 1:00 for $500 Esso card

Buy before 7:00 for 2 PCL Loge Arkells tickes

Buy before 7:30 for $1,000 Alberta Beef

Buy before 8:00 for $10,000 Cash!

THANK YOU EDMONTON OILERS!

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