McLennan Hospital Ladies Auxiliary looking for donations

Emily Plihal
for Express

The Ladies Auxiliary for the McLennan Hospital is starting a baby blanket collection throughout the region, and they need your help.

Ladies Auxiliary president Shannon Soucy says the women are hoping people from around the Smoky River Region will participate in their collection.

“We are asking the communities to donate new, homemade, or very gently used baby blankets,” says Soucy, who explains this includes no stains, no rips, and in very good condition. “We are also hoping to collect some baby hats as well.”

Soucy explains if the items are not in good condition, they will not be accepted by the hospital. She says the auxiliary plans to donate the items to new born infants born at the McLennan Hospital.

“Speaking from personal experience, it adds a very welcoming and homey touch when you have to spend time in the hospital with a baby,” says Soucy. “What better way to welcome them than to wrap the baby in a beautiful baby blanket.”

Soucy says QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie also conducts this collection in their NICU department. She says two volunteer ladies from Sunset House make incredible baby quilts and blankets that are the perfect size for nursery cribs in the Hospital.

“Both of my children spent time in the QEII and received blankets during their stay,” says Soucy. “We, the Ladies Auxiliary, want to do the same thing here.”

When babies are first born, their heads and bodies must be kept at a warmer temperature than that of a child or a full grown adult. Thus, keeping a knitted hat on their head keeps them warm, while fitting their tiny tęte to perfection.

“The blankets and hats add such a distinctive touch and personalize the infant,” says Soucy. “This really comes in handy when you don’t expect to go to the hospital when your child arrives early and you don’t even have a suitcase ready to go.”

The ladies have two drop off centres arranged in the region. In McLennan, the town office has agreed to collect the items for the ladies. They are open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

In Falher, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) (located at the town of Falher office), will be accepting the hats and blankets. The FCSS office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“Our organization is always looking to recruit new members,” says Soucy. “We meet once each month on the fourth Monday of every month starting at 7 p.m. Operation of the Ladies Auxiliary is from Sept. to June of each year.”

Each member pays $5 for their membership. Their duties include the vending machine, gift shop, Welcome Wagon for newborns, Patient Favours for holidays, and fundraising.

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