April 24, 2006, Saskatoon – Playtime will now be safer and more accessible for the children who live at Parkridge Centre, thanks to a generous donation from the Saskatoon Firefighters Pediatric Fund.
Funding from the firefighters has been used to purchase and install new tracking in the playroom at the long-term care facility that allows children to move from their wheelchairs onto the mats in the playroom more easily. The firefighters have also continued their support for the Summer Buddies Program. Today’s donations represent more than $11,000.
"The playroom is such an important part of these children’s lives, as it allows them space to stretch out, play with toys, interact with each other, with the Buddies and with staff, or just have some quiet space for themselves," said Jackie Edwards, manager of Quality of Life Development at Parkridge. "The new tracking allows staff to safely move the children from their beds or wheelchairs, all the way into the playroom, and down onto the mats to play."
Additional funding has also been directed to the Summer Buddies Program, a program that provides recreational and social programming for the children. For the past eight years, funding from the firefighters has been used to offer additional buddy time for children who are on summer holidays from school. Buddy activities include going for walks, going to the park, having ice cream parties, making crafts, going swimming in the pool here at Parkridge, and much more kid-friendly fun.
"Parkridge is home to many children who have special and unique needs," said Shauna Tanner, chair of the Saskatoon Firefighters Pediatric Fund. "Over the past eight years, we’ve been proud to support the Buddies program and help enhance quality of life for these kids with important equipment like the tracking through donations of more than $40,000."
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For more information contact:
Kerilyn Voigt
Corporate and Public Affairs Adviser
306.655.3386
Note to Editors: After regular business hours and on weekends, please call 655-1000 and ask for the Public Affairs Adviser on call.
Saskatoon Health Region
"Healthiest people, healthiest communities, exceptional service."
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