BC Children's Hospital Gingerbread Project
December 4, 2008
By Ray Taylor, Operations Manager, Surrey Retail Support Center
On December 4 and 5, 26 of our employees took part in an extraordinary event held at BC Children's Hospital and Sunny Hill Hospital. Many young children unfortunately receive ongoing treatment through the Holiday Season and cannot participate in Christmas activities at home that many of us take for granted. The suggestion was made last January by Gary Sorenson that building gingerbread houses on site with the children would be terrific fun for them and a moving experience for some of our staff, based on a similar project he knew of in Edmonton with Sobeys. In September the call went out to the Bakery Departments and Store Managers for volunteers to come and support the project. The response was overwhelming.
On December 4, 18 of the team met at BC Children's Hospital where the response by the young patients and families was so well received, we went to 4 different areas to do the decorating. Meghan P. was asked to go into the intensive care ward for a special young patient who could not leave her room, and experienced the ultimate in HACCP control. Paul W. and Kelsey J. were in the Oncology Ward where patients are connected to rolling "IV" racks, Ray M and Pat L. were also there and stayed later than the rest to allow another patient who had been scheduled in treatment to also have some Holiday fun. Together there were more than 40 kits made.
At Sunny Hill on December 5, eight more volunteers came together to support that center's patients. The team made over 20 kits over two hours and it was clear the visit was a success. Ross B made a special young friend who became attached to his excellent decorating skill! Marie W and Rob F were greeted by one of the family members who is retired from the food industry, the fellow was so thankful because his little one had given a smile on her face prior to their trip back to Vernon.
The events were special on so many levels. It is clear that not only did the patients enjoy themselves but for a minute the families also were able to let go and enjoy some Holiday fun. This in turn made the Hospital Staff members very pleased and thankful. The comments back to the volunteer team were very moving. Cecilia Tupper from the BC Children's Hospital Foundation was quick to point out that in addition to Thrifty Foods financial support to the Foundation through Jeans Day, this event brought so much more to the patients and their families.
A special thanks goes out to Melissa T. and Meghan P for organizing support from our vendors and to Steve T. for doing the preliminary work of scouting the locations, preparing the icing and organizing the supplies for transport out of store #18.
Anyone up for next year?
