Carewest Sarcee activity convener, Valerie Wriedt, and Sarcee cleint Ruth Hutchings welcome new appliances donated by Calgary South Rotary Partners.

Sometimes the greatest gift fills a need. That is exactly why the Calgary Health Trust takes great pride in working closely with those who have an invested interest in responding to health care needs in our community. Calgary South Rotary Partners is one of the very generous groups working with the Calgary Health Trust to improve local health care programs and services – specifically at the Carewest Sarcee long-term care facility. “We have been involved with Carewest Sarcee for many, many years,” says Marianne Jost, president of Calgary South Rotary Partners. “We have a special connection to the facility and its residents and that’s why we continue to give back to it every year.” Filling an immediate need, the Rotary Partners’ most recent donation of three washers and one dryer came just in time for the holidays. The facility developed a need for the appliances after a number of washing machine failures forced Sarcee laundry and housekeeping staff to use machines designated for resident use. Joan Stregger, Sarcee Site Manager, was “thrilled” to hear about the Rotary Partners’ donation.

New washers and dryers give residents more than the convenience of being able to do their own laundry. “The donation will continue to allow clients to maintain a high level of independence and freedom,” explains Joan. “It sustains a quality of a home-like living that is so very important to the lives of our residents.”

Folding and sorting clothes also encourages motor activity. Regular laundry rituals encourage social interactions with residents, families and volunteers.

An active partner of Calgary South Rotary Club, Rotary Partners receives a portion of total funds raised by the Club. It then gets to choose which charities it would like to support with those funds.

“The Rotary Partners continue to give because we’re a service club and it’s what we do,” says Marianne. “We raise money with the Rotary Club and then we put that money back into the community.”

Charities of choice for the Rotary Partners are constantly changing but the group has been making substantial contributions of money and time to Carewest Sarcee for over 40 years. Among other things, the group is also involved with hosting monthly bingos and an annual Rose Tea for Sarcee residents.