noble donation

(From L to R) OBS board members Trudy Hayes, Shirley Boychuk and Dolores Coburn, Executive Officer Janice McBain, Chiarman George Wickett, Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation Vice Chair Jennifer Lyster and Executive Director Clay Thompson

An incredible gift to the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation.

They've received a $1 million donation from the Orange Benevolent Society of Saskatchewan.

The society has been doing charitable work since 1923, but is discontinuing operations at the end of 2014.

"We chose the (Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation) because of their reputation in the area," said Chairman George Wickett. "They cover the southwest corner of Saskatchewan and they have the ability to do the work that our active incorporation dictates... mainly children, young adults and senior citizens."

The Orange Benevolent Society's role has changed as have the needs of the people they care for.

“The biggest change were the children and the families,” said Executive Officer of OBS Janice McBain. "The needs that the children had, we were never a medical psychiatric type of facility. We were a home, and that’s where the change kind of happened. So children today were needing more therapeutic care than we could provide, and so that’s part of the reason for the Orange Benevolent Society finding that they were able to care for fewer children."

Wickett noted the strong financial support and volunteer support they have received from the southwest over the years.

"It's mixed emotions," Wickett said. "We're pleased we were able to do the job over the year, but said that it has to end. We're very glad that we've had the support... to be able to do what we've accomplished."



The donation is a tremendous boost for the Dr. Noble Irwin Foundation. It will nearly match the $1.3 million dollars they raised in all of 2011.

"It came as quite a surprise," said Foundation Executive Director Clay Thompson. "There's about $3.6 million dollars on that (Cypress Health Region capital equipment needs) list. All of a sudden we're in a position where we can do some damage to that list."

They will also try and honour the legacy of the OBS by supporting children and seniors within their mandate to improve healthcare for all residents in the southwest. That will also include some scholarships.
  
"It is very gratifying that... our efforts are being noticed." Thompson said. "I could only hope that we could continue to function as long and as effectively as (the OBS) has done."

For more information on the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation visit www.drirwinfoundation.com

Interview with OBS Chairman George Wickett Executive Officer Janice McBain:


Interview with Dr. Noble Irwin Foundation Executive Director Clay Thompson: