The Christmas season has begun in the main lobby of the city’s hospital with the Angel Tree is a way to raise money and remember those who have died this year.
The eighth annual Angel Tree is officially set up in the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s main lobby. A ceremony was held this afternoon to mark the start of the holiday tradition, which sees people buy angel ornaments for a minimum of a $10 donation from the RVH Foundation.
The Angel tree was founded by Brenda Stanley to help support the Hearts and Minds campaign, raising money specifically for RVH’s regional heart program. More than $40,000 has been raised through the Angel Tree in the last eight years.
RVH president and CEO Janice Skot says while the tree does help raise money for the health centre, it's also a reminder for many to take some needed time during the holidays.
“Having the tree in our main lobby is a way for us to just slow down in a meaningful moment at a busy time of year,” said Skot. “It is usually a very much-needed act, slowing down and taking time to reflect on those we lost and who we miss.”
Skot placed an angel on the tree in memory of her mother, while registered respiratory therapist Linda Sansom placed one on behalf of RVH staff, physicians, volunteers and patients who have died this year.
Sansom told BarrieToday she's thinking of everyone lost, but mainly today’s angel was for her friend and colleague, Mary German, who passed away nearly a year ago from cancer.
“She was a dear friend and an inspiration to everybody,” Sansom said. “She lived her life to the fullest and showed us all to as well.
"We deal with death every day, but it doesn’t get any easier and especially when it is a close friend or colleague, you still have a lot of emotions to the tragic events," she added.
The ornaments can be purchased at the main lobby near Café Royale until Dec. 23 or online at www.AngelTree.Kintera.org.
