An estimated 50 people were on hand at Sacred Heart Healthcare Centre in McLennan to celebrated the hospital’s 20th anniversary. The ceremony included a special unveiling of a six-foot tall replica statue of Jesus Christ donated by The Society of Sacred Heart Ladies Auxiliary. In the photo (from left) is Diane Rondeau, Chantel Labbe, Amy Dubrule with son Evan, and Leona Dubrule.

The main entranceway to Sacred Heart Community Healthcare Centre in McLennan has a new and improved look. And it all due to the welcome addition of a fibreglass-based six-foot tall replica statue of Jesus Christ, which was formally unveiled on the afternoon of Sept. 30 during a special 20th anniversary celebration of the hospital by the sacred heart ladies auxiliary. “This project would not have been possible without the support of parish and council members from St. John the Baptist Cathedral Parish in McLennan,” says Shannon Soucy, president of The Society of the Sacred Heart Ladies Auxiliary. Funding to cover the expense of the project was raised through a casino fundraiser held in September of 2007 with Chapel of Memories in Peace River providing the concrete base. “We ordered the statue in May of this year and it arrived the following month,” Soucy adds. The recent project represents just one of several fundraising initiatives which the ladies auxiliary has been directly involved with in recent years. The energetic and vibrant group of women strives to make a positive impact within the community through various fundraising initiatives aimed exclusively at providing timely funding assistance to offset the expense of necessary medical equipment at both the health care centre and for Peace Country Health Emergency Medical Services. “We also offer an annual bursary in the amount of $500 to a first-year post-secondary student in the Smoky River region studying the field of medicine,” she adds. Active members also provide a valuable level of personal in-house friendship to medical patients in addition to serving as a Welcome Wagon network for parents of newborns. Soucy says being directly involved with the ladies auxiliary as an active member is a role which has its own rewards. “It’s quite rewarding, especially when you see the smiles on the faces of patients,” Soucy explains, adding that their door is always open to new recruits. “We’re always recruiting new members to join our organization, (women 18 years of age or older). As with any organization, the more members we have, the stronger we are.” She describes involvement with Society of the Sacred Heart Ladies Auxiliary as non-demanding in nature, adding that meetings each month (with the exception of summer) are generally no longer than an hour in duration. “We do one fundraiser per year and memberships are $5 per year,” Soucy says. For more details on becoming a new member can be obtained by contacting Soucy at 780-324-2759. The society consists of Shannon Soucy, Ursula Valiquette, Joanne Cloutier, Stephanie Morris, Allison Noseworthy, Chantal Labbe, Amy Dubrule and Krystina Dubrule.