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
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.