Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many Albertans have found strength in the support of each other. Expressions like “by working together, we will get through this,” or “we are in this together” have become familiar phrases on billboards, posters and windows. The generosity of community organizations, businesses and individuals is testament to that kind of resilience in the face of this public health emergency.
The Sikh Federation of Edmonton is one of those organizations. Earlier this month, it donated $25,000 to the Foundation’s Compassion Calls campaign. This campaign was launched early on in the pandemic to help ensure frontline health care teams in Covenant hospitals and continuing care homes across Alberta have everything they need for a robust, comprehensive pandemic response.
The dedication of the physicians, nurses and support staff through this public health emergency inspired the Sikh Federation of Edmonton to donate. Some health care providers are even limited in seeking comfort from their families as they self-isolate from vulnerable loved ones even after their shifts are over.
“They are very courageous people,” says Sital Nanuan, president of the Sikh Federation of Edmonton, “and we are very thankful to all of them.”
Nanuan says Covenant’s role as a major provider of acute care in Edmonton is one reason the Federation wanted to help. Covenant Health operates both the Misericordia and Grey Nuns Hospitals –hospitals where tens of thousands of patients from Edmonton and surrounding communities are treated and cared for every year.
While the pandemic has put a hold on large gatherings at the Gurdwara, the Federation held a small ceremony outside the temple to honour its contribution and the impact it will have on supporting Alberta patients and continuing care residents.
“On behalf of all of the frontline health care workers responding to this pandemic, we want to express our sincere appreciation to the Sikh Federation of Edmonton for this generous donation to our COVID response fund,” says Covenant Foundation CEO Tracy Sopkow. “It will really go a long way in helping us identify and respond to what those immediate needs are.”
Supporting health care is a key priority in the Federation’s charitable giving strategy, adds Nanuan, and the Federation felt it important to do what it can to help support the health of Albertans during these challenging and unprecedented times.
Learn more about how you can support Covenant Foundation’s Compassion Calls campaign in support of urgent COVID-19 relief here.
Written by: Laura Ehrkamp