The St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation has announced a letter-writing campaign, We Care for Long-Term Care, to support the 38 people who reside in the hospital’s long-term care ward.
Hospital foundation executive director Breanne Van De Woestyne said there was a meeting with St. Joseph’s Hospital executive director Greg Hoffort and long-term care manager Tara Daoust to see what could be done to spread positivity down to the residents.
With visitor restrictions, times have been difficult and isolating for the residents.
“We wanted to offer our services and our platform to help them see some positivity right now during these times. One thing they did come up with was sending in letters or artwork, so we hopped on that right away,” said Van De Woestyne.
The hospital foundation partnered with Canada Post in Estevan, who supplied free postage for this initiative. People are asked to send general letters or artwork, which will then be distributed to a resident.
If there people want to send something to a specific resident, such as a family member or friend, they are welcome to do so, and it will get to that resident.
There is no deadline to send a letter or artwork.
The campaign was launched last Wednesday, and within the first few hours, people were calling in and sending in letters.
“We’re just excited to be a positive light for the residents down in long-term care while visitor restrictions are in place,” said Van De Woestyne.
Children have stepped forward to send in artwork.
“It’s going to be a really cool thing to see all of the different letters and artwork that comes in, and again, it just shows that people care and they want to help where they can,” said Van De Woestyne.
The hospital can’t accept letters or artwork that are dropped off at the hospital.
Van De Woestyne said the hospital foundation will be happy regardless of how much they receive, but it wouldn’t surprise her if they receive more than 100 submissions. She added that people have been very supportive with long-term care in the past.
People can mail the items to:
We Care for Long Term Care
St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation
1176 Nicholson Road
Estevan, SK S4A 0H3
