Red Thread Gift Shop spreads holiday cheer for Calgary hospital patients, staff
The Red Thread Gift Shop at the Peter Lougheed Centre offers a variety of basic items for patients and their families, but its team of volunteers is also providing a sense of warmth, comfort and love this holiday season.
The store features a wide selection of gifts, snacks and toiletries for sale with every purchase made supporting hospital support programs that focus on patient care along with new hospital equipment.
"It’s been my go-to place every single day because I’m all alone in Alberta and all the different volunteers are always smiling, they've been so friendly and helpful," said Cheryl Schultz.
Schultz was admitted into the emergency room recently with a sinus infection, but she's used her brief time outside of a hospital bed to interact with the volunteers who are supporting her during her stay.
"I come down and I buy little knickknacks for myself, I buy little beauty treatments for myself, but the team here has also inspired me to buy 'get well' cards for my roommate who is struggling right now as well as 'thank you' cards for the staff and doctors here."
Volunteers at the Red Thread Gift Shop locations at the Peter Lougheed Centre, Foothills Medical Centre and Rockyview General Hospital are providing holiday cheer ti patients, visitors and staff.
Stephanie, a Red Thread Gift Shop customer, says the volunteers have helped her find the perfect gift for her mother who is in hospital.
"My mom wasn’t eating well, but we found these special chocolate cookies here that she loves, so now I keep coming back," said Stephanie.
"It's just kind of a release to look around and interact with others. I just hope that all the patients can be home for Christmas and that they will get better," she added while wiping away a tear.
It's moments like this that define the hard work of volunteers at the Red Thread Gift Shop, including Randy Tri who has given more than 300 hours of his time since 2019.
The 20-year-old hopes to one day become a radiation therapist and says the compassionate customer service interactions at the store will help him become a better medical professional.
"It’s really inspiring to speak with these patients, to be able to know that we’re helping our hospital, but also giving back to our community," said Tri.
"A lot of our customers are nurses and doctors too that are leaving a stressful environment so even just checking on them and asking how they're doing can make a big difference."
Volunteer coordinator Megan Ko says her team is continuing to look for volunteers willing to lend a helping hand, noting that the experience of working with others goes a long way for any future career opportunity.
"This program shows that there's always somebody willing to help," explained Ko. "We’re providing a really safe space for our patients and visitors and even hospital staff just to take a break from the day-to-day stress of being in the hospital."
The Red Thread Gift Shop is located at the Peter Lougheed Centre with two other locations at the Rockyview General Hospital and Foothills Medical Centre.
All of the gift shops are open seven days a week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.