Great organization marking milestone anniversary

Story by Amelia Schofield

Photo by Yolanda Genu:

Richelle Belzerowski, Executive Director, Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, Kim Storey, Senior Operating Officer at the hospital and Tracy Reberger, Acute Care Manager, stand next to one of the isolation carts purchased in 2018 by the Friends. The carts store the personal protective equipment staff require on their rounds.

Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre celebrate milestone

This month marks 40 years that the Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC) have supported the facility to the tune of around $10 million raised to date toward patient comfort and care.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate our 40th anniversary. This is an important milestone, and speaks to the commitment and dedication of our staff, volunteers and board members,” says Richelle Belzerowski, executive director of the Friends.

Since 1980, the group has focused its efforts on fundraising for equipment, supplies and services to enhance care for patients and families.

Over the years, their contributions have ranged from purchasing televisions and tablets for patients to enjoy, comfort items for moms and dads suffering the loss of a child, and enhancements such as new hospital furniture, blanket warmers, blood pressure monitors and more.

“We’re so thankful to the Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre for their long-time support of our hospital,” says Kimberly Storey, Senior Operating Officer, RDRHC.

“Their contributions over the past four decades, along with those of the groups before them, have had a tremendous impact on the care we provide our patients. We couldn’t be more grateful for their support, and look forward to our continued partnership for years to come.”

Tracy Reberger, Acute Care Manager for the Palliative Care and Oncology unit at RDRHC, has worked at the hospital for more than 25 years and has witnessed first-hand the difference these contributions make for patients.

According to Reberger, the Friends have supported the purchase of several pieces of equipment for her unit over the years. More recently, their donations funded new over-bed tables for each patient, specially-designed mattresses to prevent pressure wounds as well as bedside baskets to provide nurses with easy access to pulse oximeters, thermometers and blood monitors.

“Our patients are some of the sickest in the hospital, and are often facing the scariest time of their lives,” says Reberger.

“The contributions from the Friends help us provide them with the most comfortable stay we can, and go a long way to lifting the spirits of our patients.”

The Friends currently has more than 120 active volunteers who raise funds predominately through a gift and flower shop, and two cafes on-site at the hospital. They also participate in charitable gaming and hosting events like their recent Friends of the RDRHC Charity Garage Sale.

“We also want to thank the community for their ongoing support of the Friends. Our heart and soul is invested in improving the experience of patients, and supporting our hospital’s staff. It’s with their contributions that we’re able to fulfill that mission each and every day,” says Belzerowski.

The Friends’ roots reach all the way back to 1904 at the Red Deer Memorial Hospital, where they were then known as the Hospital Women’s Aid, truly a visionary group for its time. Later, their name changed to the Women’s Auxiliary to the Red Deer General Hospital, before eventually becoming the Friends of the RDRHC.

For more information on the Friends of the RDRHC and how to get involved, visit friendsoftherdrh.com or call Richelle Belzerowski at 403-343-4520.

Related Topics:#FriendsoftheRDRH #FriendsoftheRedDeerRegionalHospitalCentre #KimberlyStorey #RDCHC #RichelleBelzerowski #TracyReberger

Up Next

Downtown Business Spotlight: Stella Bean Sweets

Don't Miss

A few reasons why Molly Bannister Extension is needed, please help.

Todayville

Todayville is a digital media and technology company. We profile unique stories and events in our community. Register and promote your community event for free.

Follow Author

Stories of Red Deer’s earliest Halloween celebrations

City of Red Deer / 1 day ago

Molly Banister Drive extension remains a possibility as City Council shelves development plans for creek-side lots

Education / 2 days ago

Kathleen Finnigan appointed new Superintendent of Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

#RedDeerStrong

Indoor Winter Market accepting applications for vendors

Published on October 27, 2020

Downtown Red Deer

From The Downtown Business Association

Vendors wanted for Scott Block Theatre Winter Market.

The Red Deer Downtown Business Association (DBA) is looking for vendors who would be interested in participating in this year’s first indoor winter market happening November 26 to 28 at the Scott Block Theatre (4816 50 Ave).

The Scott Block Theatre Winter Market is the first indoor winter market hosted by the DBA for Red Deer Lights the Night. This Alberta Farmers’ Market Association approved market will feature local vendors selling an array of make it, bake it, and/or grow it items. The times and dates for the market are:

Thursday, November 26: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Friday. November 27: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 28: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
To be a vendor at the Scott Block Theatre Winter Market, just complete the vendor application on our website.
Applications must be received by Thursday, November 5, 2020.

Please submit applications by mail or hand delivery to:
Red Deer Downtown Business Association 120, 5009 50 Avenue
Red Deer, AB T4N 4B2
Or email to: [email protected].
The Downtown Business Association has been operating in Red Deer for over 30 years, serving approximately five-hundred business owners in the Downtown area. Through partnerships and leadership in advocacy and promotion, the DBA is the catalyst for a vibrant and prosperous downtown that is the place to live, work, play and do business.

#RedDeerStrong

Downtown Business Spotlight: 4 Pillars

Published on October 26, 2020

Red Deer DBA

This week’s Business Spotlight shines on 4 Pillars! Located at 4779 49 St, 4 Pillars is the place to go to find debt relief. We sat down with the owner and Debt Relief Specialist, Eric Everett, for more information about the business!

What is your business?

Well, we help people through their debt problems, so we have debt relief solutions and financial advice on how to solve problems.

When did you open?

Well, 4 Pillars, across Canada, started in 2002, so 18 years and Red Deer started 7 years ago. I purchased July 1st of 2019.

What would you say makes your business unique?

I have to say great staff, or they’ll beat me up! What I love is that we don’t just help with debt. We have all kinds of different solutions to help people through whatever needs they have, so when they walk out they say, ‘Wow! That was easy!’

What are some products/services that you offer?

Our main job is to get people to do a Consumer Proposal. I call it bankruptcy-light. There are hardly any consequences, versus bankruptcy. It’s a very easy solution through their debt problems. And it’s not just that people have little debt problems; our average debt level is 60,000$, it’s hard to get out of that by themselves. The government came up with the Consumer Proposal about 20 years ago so that people can come out through their debt problems without committing suicide or robbing banks so that they can have some hope for their future. I’m actually a hope builder!

Why did you choose Downtown Red Deer as the location for your business?

Well, great visibility is the main reason. We have about 10,000 cars drive by our location every day, so that’s huge for us. And then Lucky Restaurant is right next door!

What do you think makes Downtown vibrant?

Lots of access, ease of getting around, everything is located in a small area, and it’s not hard to get in and out of the Downtown area like a lot of centers.

I love Downtown Red Deer because… It’s a good business location for me.

If you or someone you know is looking for assistance getting out of debt, 4 Pillars is the place to go.

Website: https://www.4pillars.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4PillarsCentral