Rory Dhillon, the first baby born this year at Sechelt Hospital, won over viewers’ hearts as his mom Sarah Dhillon helped her flip the switch and turn on the lights for the giant Holiday Hearts display during an online ceremony, Dec. 1.
“We want to thank everyone at Sechelt Hospital for the safe delivery of Rory. We are so happy for the care and we are so lucky in live in a community that has such wonderful staff and services at the hospital,” said Mrs. Dhillon. More than 161 babies have been born this year so far at Sechelt Hospital.
“Rory has been invited to light up the wreath this year, for the holiday season!” she added. “Happy Christmas everyone!”
This was the second annual Holiday Hearts event for the Sechelt Hospital, hosted by Sechelt Hospital Foundation. Marie Duperreault, Vancouver Coastal Health’s Director for the Sunshine Coast, celebrated the community’s full vaccination rate of 85 per cent and thanked donors for generous support. She expressed “warm wishes for a happy and safe holiday season.”
Holiday lights lit up the hearts hung on the side and perched on the roof of the hospital while a talented Coast String Fiddler – Cassidy Wieler– played Christmas songs, for a second year in a row, during the 15-minute online celebration. Patients, staff and family members at Totem Lodge enjoyed a joyful performance to kick off the holiday season.
Decorating the eight-foot wooden heart with cedar and many lights, was a festive undertaking for Sechelt Hospital Foundation’s staff and volunteer board of directors. The other heart, a nine-foot one made of rebar, was welded together by the hospital’s facilities team member Bryce Rudland, and installed with the help of Clayton Walsh and Adam Helfer.
Hospital Foundation Chair Frank Belfry thanked the many donors, volunteers and hospital staff. “Just remember, as you drive by the hospital, to have a look at the heart and give thanks to the health staff on the coast who are there for us to ensure that the best medicine is local.”
Please consider making a contribution to Sechelt Hospital Foundation’s Annual Fund.
Donations will go to the area of greatest need at Sechelt Hospital. Please direct your calls or emails to: Jane Macdonald, executive director 604-885-8637 or [email protected]. To make a donation, please visit: SecheltHospitalFoundation.org. Mailing address: Sechelt Hospital Foundation PO Box 1761 Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0. Charitable Registration Number: 88915-7194-RR-0001.
