Story Posted: 2024-12-17
Giving the Gift of Comfort
For the Sheptytsky Knights of Columbus Council, service to their community is paramount. The Council’s sixty-eight members pride themselves on their volunteer spirit, and the donations of time they dedicate to projects that assist a variety of groups and organizations within Saskatoon. It is this commitment to generously serving others that drew their attention to the Hospice at Glengarda; many of the causes they support largely benefit children and youth in the city, including KidSport, Coats for Kids, the Crisis Nursery, Interval House, and the YWCA. But as they began to see their peers facing the need for end-of-life care, and learned that many patients at the Hospice were of a similar age to their council members, they reflected on what a gift to this vital facility could mean and how it might serve as a way to support one another: “This is something we can do for ourselves, our seniors, and our families… we are proud to be able to make a significant donation to support Hospice at Glengarda residents and their families” says Jerome Engele, Grand Knight of Sheptytsky Council.
The Council chose to make a generous gift of $40,000 to the Hospice, earmarked to improve the experience of families and visitors. This wonderful donation has enabled the purchase of “sleepers” for each patient room, which serve as a couch for those who come to visit for a short while, but turn into a bed in the evening for loved ones who wish to stay through the night. A total of 15 sleeper couches have been purchased, which means one will be found in every patient room, as well as one sleeper chair for each floor of the building in the instance additional sleeping space is required.
St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation thanks the Knights for their generosity, and for keeping their community top of mind. Their thoughtfulness will have a ripple effect, ensuring that patients and their loved ones are together during a time when togetherness means so much.