Angels bring tidings of comfort and joy

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This article was published 04/12/2024 (620 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Misericordia Health Centre “angels,” adorned in white clothing and silver halos, kicked off the annual fundraising campaign Tuesday by greeting morning rush-hour drivers with waves and smiles as they crossed over the Maryland Bridge and headed into downtown.

“I feel like we are making people’s day,” said Tara Keyser, a manager at the health centre. “How often do you drive over a bridge and see a whole whack of angels?”

This year marks the 29th anniversary of the Angel Squad. The volunteer fundraising group chooses a new program run by the health centre to support. This year, donations will go toward the pediatric unit, specifically dentistry and ophthalmology, said Lisa Stiver, Angel Squad ambassador.

It will pay for supplies in the post-procedure dental kits, enhance the pediatric ophthalmology waiting room and subsidize prescription glasses for patients whose families can’t afford them.

Keyser, who has volunteered with the group since she started working at Misericordia in 2015, said she could feel the excitement Tuesday morning as volunteers laughed and danced to music.

One year, Angel Squad donations went toward creating a garden on the seventh floor that’s used by seniors who take part in one of the centre’s programs, said Keyser.

“The garden brought so much happiness and joy to residents,” said Keyser. “When you get to see the impact these donations make on the clients, it makes it mean even more.”

The Angel Squad consists of volunteers who work at Misericordia, people from the surrounding community, and longtime supporters, who return every year, said Stiver.

“It was cold and windy, but all of our volunteers showed up happy and with a smile on their face,” she said. “Seeing the angels puts a smile on people’s faces and starts the holiday season off in a positive way.”

Stiver said the volunteers dress up as angels to symbolize hope, comfort, and compassion, which are some of Misericorida’s core values.

Robin Shreiber first heard about Angel Squad when her father was admitted to Misericordia’s interim care unit in 2012 after he found out his spine was deteriorating.

She said her father loved watching the Angel Squad either in person or on the news.

A few years after Shreiber’s father died in 2017, she said Caroline DeKeyster, president and CEO of the centre, asked if she would like to be a part of the Angel Squad.

“I want to continue supporting Misericordia in any way I can for all those years they supported us,” said Shreiber.

Donations can be made via Misericordia’s website until Dec. 17. So far, $6,800 toward the goal of $50,000 has been raised. Sponsors will match donations up to $25,000.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca