Prince George Costco management and staff were on hand this week to present the proceeds from their annual May Campaign for Kids to Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. $96,854 was presented, bringing their all-time total for the campaign to just over $1,000,000 in funds raised.
In 1994, Costco Prince George received special permission to keep the proceeds of the annual Children’s Miracle Network campaign in Northern BC in order to have the greatest impact on the residents of their community. That year, just over $1,500 was donated to Spirit of the North to support medical equipment for our tiniest patients. Since that beginning, 23 years ago, Costco’s members have given generously, culminating in this very significant milestone in 2017. Costco employs over 300 people at their Prince George location, all of whom dedicate a great amount of effort to this annual campaign.
Proceeds from this year’s Campaign for Kids will be dedicated to the purchase of an infant transport incubator based in Vanderhoof, and two Enteral Feeding Pumps for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Prince George.
The infant transport incubator is used to transport infants between hospitals, should the need of more advanced care arise. Vanderhoof’s St. John Hospital is the catchment for births locally, as well as from Fort St. James, Fraser Lake and Burns Lake and sees up to 140 births per year, so this transport incubator will see regular use. The feeding pumps are vital to deliver nutrition to infants who do not have the strength or coordination to breast or bottle feed, or patients who cannot attain their complete nutritional requirements through oral intake alone.
“We are once again thrilled with the hard work and dedication of all Prince George Costco staff for such tremendous results”, said Judy Neiser, CEO for Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. “They work hard to promote the event and the generosity of their members shines through. We are very appreciative of everyone’s contribution and they should be very proud of yet another extremely well run campaign. Thank you!”
- files from press release from Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation