If Christmas is about tradition then the Light up the Hospital Pledge Day should surely get Nelson into the holiday spirit.
An annual campaign since 1995, the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation fundraiser has $90,000 on this year’s wish list that it will use to deck the operating room halls, said Bryna Idler.
“The campaign is to enhance and support surgical services at Kootenay Lake Hospital,” said the Foundation’s Idler.
On Friday, December 7, people of all ages can enjoy the spirit of giving at Chahko Mika Mall. It’s the first year that the pledge day event will be hosted in the mall’s Winter Wonderland.
“We’re really excited to be there,” said Idler. “This year we have a nice big space so we’re able to have choirs performing.”
Every hour, a new group will perform including school choirs such as St. Joseph’s School at 1 p.m. and Nelson’s Barbershop Chorus at 3 p.m.
Lulled by the tranquil sounds of Christmas, those wanting to donate will be thanked by the giving tree. Idler explained, people will pick a number and receive a gift.
“The business community has been so generous with the gifts. We’ve got everything from a free hamburger at A&W to $50 gift certificate from Kootenai Moon to gift certificates from different spas in town. We’ve got great gifts, so it’s definitely worth bringing your donations down to the mall that day,” she said.
There could also be a Canadian diamond necklace, a raffle item donated by Ted Allen’s Jewellery, under someone’s tree this year.
“Pledge day will be your last chance to buy tickets on the necklace because the draw will be made that afternoon,” Idler said.
Funds raised by the Light Up the Hospital campaign will go toward purchasing three new stretcher chairs to be used in ear, eye, nose and throat surgical procedures. They’re important to provide comfort to patients and increased efficiency to operating room staff. An ergonomic adjustable chair for eye surgeons is also on the wish list. Any funds raised over that goal will go toward other priority medical equipment for the hospital.
Idler is grateful for the community’s support of the Foundation and their efforts to make the hospital shine brighter year after year.
“We are always impressed with how the community supports this hospital from the CT scanner campaign to raising $1.5 million in a year and a half, to last year raising $90,000 for the new insufflator,” she said. “They’re just so generous. We wouldn’t be able to keep this hospital supplied with the state of the art equipment it has without community support.”
Pledge day goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.