Hotel Dieu Shaver and Foundation Thrilled with Results of Snowflakes and Angels Campaign – Goal Surpassed by More Than $20,000
January 13, 2010 – (St. Catharines, ON) The Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Foundation’s fifth annual Snowflakes and Angels Christmas fundraising campaign surpassed its goal of $50,000 on its way to raising an astounding $73,000.
“We are very grateful to all those who supported this year’s campaign,” acknowledged Bob Bell, the Foundation’s Executive Director. Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors from across the Region, Hotel Dieu Shaver will be able to purchase a new patient bus.
“I think it speaks volumes to the support of the work that is done here at Hotel Dieu Shaver and that even during these difficult economic times the people of Niagara have shown us such great support,” added Mr. Bell.
The patient bus is such an important tool for a rehabilitation hospital. “Our patients are with us for an extended period of time and recreation therapy is an important piece of the overall rehab program. “Having the bus allows our patients to get out and enjoy the many things that most of us take for granted,” Mrs. Rufrano added.
The current bus is 18 years old and is starting to get to a point where more and more repairs are needed. Also, a new bus would be more comfortable and safer for patients and staff.
“I think we were all a little unsure of how successful the campaign was going to be this year given the state of the local economy and the number of worthwhile causes that were also looking for support,” explains Mrs. Rufrano. “I think the success of this year’s campaign can be traced back to people believing in our work, in particular the patients and their families being very grateful for the care they have received at Hotel Dieu Shaver.”
Gracious Gifts from Foundation and Auxiliary
Allow for Continued Improvements to Facility and Care
April 21, 2009 – (St. Catharines, ON) Both the Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Foundation and Auxiliary recently presented the health centre’s Board Chair, Ron McTavish and CEO, Jane Rufrano with two cheques from their respective organizations totaling an astounding $689,500.
The centre’s Foundation once again came through big time with a donation of more than $624,000 while the Auxiliary donated $64,500. Hotel Dieu Shaver’s CEO continues to be amazed year-after-year with the support and dedication both groups show towards Niagara’s centre of excellence for rehabilitation, complex continuing care and geriatric services. “We are so fortunate to have these two wonderful groups of volunteers, our Foundation and our Auxiliary, supporting us and the work we do,” said Mrs. Rufrano. “We honestly could not do what we do without them, they are the reason we have modern equipment, upgraded facilities and newly renovated space like our therapy treatment areas, patient rooms and dining areas, coffee shop, gift shop, staff lounge, therapy pool and cafeteria, which benefit both patients and staff alike,” she added.
The more than $64,000 gift from Hotel Dieu Shaver’s Auxiliary is also most impressive given the way the money is raised. “These wonderful people volunteer countless hours to raise these funds that ultimately benefit our patients. “They work so hard and really are an inspiration,” said Mrs. Rufrano. The Auxiliary raises their money through sales in the coffee shop and gift shop, break open lottery tickets, bingos as well as various events held throughout the year like card parties and raffles.
The Foundation’s gift helped purchase new electric beds, an AcuDose pharmacy system which helps prevent medication errors, a bladder scanner, four defibulators and other patient care equipment. They also provided the funding that allowed for major renovations to the Leonard B. Herzog Memorial Foundation Therapy Pool. “We think this organization has tremendous staff who do their best to improve the quality of life for the patients they care for and our job is to provide the money so that they can have the tools that will allow them to best provide that care,” said Bob Bell the Foundation’s Executive Director.
All Hotel Dieu Shaver volunteers will be honoured at a special luncheon today at noon at Club Capri in Thorold. “It’s the one time of year that we get to formally thank all of them for the countless hours they give to our organization and I hope they know how much their efforts mean to us,” explained Mrs. Rufrano. “They are amazing people in every sense of the word.”
Silicon Knights Donates Nintendo Wii Systems to Hotel Dieu Shaver
ST. CATHARINES, ON (February 1, 2008) – Hotel Dieu Shaver will be expanding its virtual rehab program thanks to the support of Silicon Knights. The local and highly successful video game developer has generously provided the healthcare facility with two Nintendo Wii systems, as well a number of games. These systems and games will be used primarily by the recreation therapy department to make patients’ rehabilitation more fun and exciting.
“We are very grateful to Denis and Joanne Dyack and the entire team at Silicon Knights for providing us with these systems,” said Jane Rufrano, Hotel Dieu Shaver CEO. “Adding the Wii consoles to our virtual rehab program will allow us to bring a fun and entertaining form of rehabilitation to our in-patients, some of whom may not be able to use the green screen systems that we currently have,” explained Mrs. Rufrano.
Silicon Knights President Denis Dyack says that connecting video games with healthcare is one of many positive roles video games can contribute to the greater good of all. “It’s exciting to see the technology found in video games helping people rehab from serious medical conditions,” said Mr. Dyack. “This was something we wanted to be a part of and help out where we can.”
Not only are there therapeutic benefits to incorporating virtual rehab, in this case using the Nintendo Wii, but it also helps boost the patients moral during their hospital stay. “Some of our patients are here for weeks at a time and we are caring for younger patients, so it is important to provide them with a form of therapy that will help motivate them and keep their spirits up,” added Mrs. Rufrano.
Hotel Dieu Shaver continues to explore research and partnership opportunities in order to help develop virtual rehabilitation. “Our goal is to help take virtual rehab to the next level and work with other rehab centres and software developers to advance this technology in a rehab specific direction,” said Mrs. Rufrano.
Patients to Receive New Beds Thanks to Christmas Angels
January 9, 2007 – (St. Catharines, ON) The Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Foundation’s second annual Snowflakes and Angels Christmas fundraising campaign met its goal by raising $64,000 which will cover the cost of purchasing four state-of-the-art electric beds that cost $15,000 each.
“Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors from across the region the Snowflakes and Angels campaign was another overwhelming success,” said Foundation Executive Director Bob Bell. “I think it speaks volumes to the support of the work that is done here at Hotel Dieu Shaver.”
The electronically operated beds can turn the patients to provide relief from pressure pains and help prevent skin breakdowns.
With these beds patients are able to independently move from lying down to sitting up simply by pressing a button. The beds are also very staff friendly because they can be moved up or down to an appropriate height so that our dedicated team of healthcare professionals can more safely provide the care that is needed.
“We have patients that are with us for as long as 60 days, for them, these beds are vitally important to their comfort and well being,” said Mr. Bell