Taber Health Foundation keeps contributing
The Taber and District Health Foundation (TDHF) has been making big contributions to the community’s hospital with the recent purchase of an electrocardiograph (ECG) machine for $17,900.
An ECG machine is important for all departments of the hospital, as it records the electrical activity of the heart and displays it as data on a screen or paper. Before the purchase, the Taber Hospital only had one of these machines on-site.
“The ECG is used daily, and without the benefit of having one you won’t have the proper outcome for patients and we want to have the best health care possible in Taber without having to drive to another facility,” says fundraising co-ordinator Vicki Koersen. “The one we have now is older, and so the possibility of it failing is there. Machines break, so we needed a second one just in case. Both are in use, but it’s just nice to have a pair.”
The TDHF raises money in a variety of ways, whether it’s through fundraisers or donations. This includes thirdparty fundraisers such as McHappy Day through McDonalds, the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Day or through Dairy Queen’s Blizzard Day. A larger annual fundraiser the local organization has is with the Kiwanis Golf Tournament, where members raise money for bigger purchases.
This year, just under $31,000 was raised for a Cardiac XhibitMonitor for the Emergency Department. This piece of equipment can monitor all the day surgery beds or patients within the Emergency room.
Every year the TDHF hosts an annual fundraiser. This year will look different again due to the changing COVID situation.
“This year we’re doing a fall pledge drive — which is a new thing for us,” notes Koersen. “We’re doing a pledge week ending on Oct. 23 where we’ll be doing an Open House at the Taber Legion. We will have equipment and representatives from organizations that have been funded, and people will be able to come in and get their questions answered about the various things they’ve helped fund.”
The TDHF also supports other initiatives within the community. Examples being the Taber and District Housing facilities in Barnwell, Vauxhall and Grassy Lake sponsored or donated to the Lindenview Recreation Department, and have recently had funding requests from Mental Health and Addictions to where the Foundation donated nine tablets. As with many community service groups and non-profits, the TDHF is also looking for ways to attract younger generations to volunteering and giving their time.
“That is the conundrum of every nonprofit and service club going. There is not one that doesn’t have trouble getting young people, and as foundations we do get together once a year. And a smaller group of us meet once a month. We’re all struggling to get young people involved. Not just through their dollars, but their participation and involvement too. In generations before that, it was the social norm or you grew up with your parents volunteering in and supporting organizations, so we did the same. Many younger individuals and families are just now getting into funding and financial planning — while looking to their future, and organizations need to meet folks where they’re at.” Koersen adds.
The TDHF has been operating since 1992, and since then have raised over $6,000,000 for health care equipment and community programs. If you want to get involved, have any questions or want to donate e-mail the TDHF at info@tdhf.ca or call 403-223-7232.