St. Albert plays St. Nick, saves vandalized display
Area residents dig deep to help restore damaged light show at Foyer Lacombe
An army of Christmas elves has stepped in to make sure a fundraising light display is back shining around a St. Albert hospice.
When the lights were taken from the St. Albert and Sturgeon Hospice Society's (SASHA) display outside the Foyer Lacombe hospice last week, organizers estimated that replacing them would cost between $4,000 and $5,000.
SASHA was prepared to pay for those costs out of its proceeds but instead local Good Samaritans sent money online, in the mail and dropped cheques off at the hospice once news of the vandalism was made public.
The display was back to its full glory on Tuesday.
“When you think about how dire it seemed the day we got the news, and then within a few days we were buoyed because we have the money coming through to pay for the lights,” fundraising chairwoman Luanne Sirdiak said.
Sirdiak said SASHA is still tabulating how much has been raised but that it is significantly more than they needed.
The lights are a significant fundraiser for SASHA, which offers a community volunteer program to support people nearing end-oflife, their families and caregivers. Donors could sponsor lights or a tree.
By the time the lights went up the first time, SASHA had raised more than $25,000.
Local dentist Frank Neves said he told SASHA he would pay to replace the stolen lights in full.
“My parents are 81 and we're fortunate enough that we could still drive by their house ... and they're happy,” he said.
“These people in these longterm care facilities? They got nobody. And some are (at the) end of life.
“So it's just not right, man.” When it came time for Neves to write his cheque, officials told him they had already raised what they needed. He still decided to donate $5,000.
Sirdiak said SASHA will use the money to expand its program and hire its first part-time paid staff member.
Neves said he's not surprised the community stepped in to help.
“If you live in St. Albert, they support everything in St. Albert, and this lights thing was another example. It's amazing how the community comes together,” he said.