The next time you order a new furnace or hot water tank, you might be surprised to see service technicians show up at your house wearing pink T-shirts.
Throughout this month and next, Always Plumbing and Heating is helping to support Jessica's Wish Foundation, a new local charity that started in the wake of a family tragedy.
The company's service manager, Lindsey Tait, explained that her cousin, Jessica, was a bright, active and lively teenager who discovered one day that she had osteogenic sarcoma. There were treatments and an amputation, but the young woman never let it get her down.
"She lived her life wholeheartedly. She was just a compelling person … even with everything that she was going through, she put others before herself. She changed lives."
The foundation will in turn take the money and provide support and resources to families with children in treatment "so that they can live in hope," Tait said.
In addition to the highly visible and memorable workwear, the company will also donate $100 from the sale of every furnace sale, $25 for every hot water tank and $5 for every service call. If any customer decides to make a personal donation to the charity (through the company), then they will also receive a $25 deduction off their bill.
This support could take the form of assisting with travel expenses, utility bills, paying the rent, alternative treatments or even sending a family to the movies to forget about things for awhile.
For more information, visit www.jessicaswish.ca. The company can be reached at 780-489-8118.
Specialized baby warmer on way to hospital, thanks to Telus
The Sturgeon Community Hospital is learning that 824 Telus customers must know a thing or two about giving.
Yesterday, the digital services provider presented a cheque to the hospital for $20,600, an amount that equaled $25 for every new customer who signed up for its Optik TV service in St. Albert over the last six months. The donation was the result of its most recent TV for Good Campaign.
The money will be used to purchase a radiant infant warmer machine, called a Panda Transport Warmer. This piece of equipment keeps all newborns warm and comfortable after birthing. The hospital sees an average of seven or eight births per day.
"The Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation is truly honoured and grateful to be the recipients of this most generous donation in support of our neo-natal program," said the foundation's executive director Katrina Black.
She added that the warmer offers critical life support and the new unit will be used as a replacement for an older one that was due to be discontinued.
"It's something that they've been wanting for quite some time. This is a fundamental piece of equipment for their programs."
"We are excited this gift will help those who need it the most in our community," said Yolanta Miller, the company's local general manager. "This life-saving equipment for newborn babies will change lives in St. Albert."
Since 2000, the company has given more than $265,000 to community groups in St. Albert through corporate donations and sponsorships.
Eye doctor supports World Sight Day on Wednesday
Dr. Samuel Boucher is one optometrist who sees clearly how to help so many people around the world who have difficulty with their vision. He not only helps many of his local clients with their eyesight, but he also supports the World Sight Day Challenge sponsored by Optometry Giving Sight, an international non-governmental aid organization started in 2003.
On Wednesday, Oct. 10, he is donating his professional fees to help the more than 600 million people around the world who are blind or visually impaired only because they can't get eye exams or obtain glasses.
"I have supported Optometry Giving Sight for four years and am proud to donate to such a worthwhile cause," he stated in a press release. "The World Sight Day Challenge is a great way to help support the millions of people who don't have access to the basic eye care that we can take for granted."
According to information provided by the organization, only $5 is needed to provide both examination and a pair of glasses to someone in a developing country. This year's challenge will be directed to 35 projects in 23 countries around the world.
For more information, visit www.givingsight.org.
