All Saints Ladner gave their thanks to first responders and frontline workers this Thanksgiving Sunday for keeping the community safe throughout the pandemic.
Toward the end of their service, the church presented a $700 cheque to Shari Barr from the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation from the fundraising they began in September.
“I think it was a great success. All Saints Ladner always feels good when we can give back to the community in some way,” says Rev. Robin Ruder Celiz. “It felt good, and it felt like the right thing to do, especially over Thanksgiving, it’s an extremely appropriate time.”
The fundraiser was an open invitation for people who wanted to donate to the Delta Hospital, and the church just simply collected the donations that were “earmarked” for the foundation, explains Celiz.
Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord attended among the 40 other people who came to the service, as he was one of the first responders’ representatives invited.
Alongside the fundraising for the hospital, the church also donated fresh produce, which had been decorating the altar, to the food bank as part of their usual Thanksgiving tradition.
“This time, we decided on [giving back] to the Delta Hospital, certainly giving thanks for all the first responders. It was just easier to name the hospital, as opposed to any one group like the police or firefighters [or paramedics] ... they all go to the hospital, so that seems to be good, neutral ground,” added Celiz.
He expects that more proceeds will likely trickle in from those who may have missed the donation deadline.
