Sales from the Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop and a cheque donation by the Clive Lions has garnered enough money to purchase new equipment for the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre.
Members of the Hospital Auxiliary recently held two big sales at the shop earning more than $4,500. That, coupled with a $2,000 donation from Clive Lions is enough money to buy a machine called a NeuroGym Sit-to-Stand Trainer, worth $6,000.
Sue MacKenzie, manager of the Ponoka community for long-term care and home care, said this equipment trains patients how to stay balanced when standing after sitting for some time.
“This is actually physiotherapy equipment,” said MacKenzie.
“With training it’s amazing . . . It’s a really good piece of equipment,” she added.
The equipment encourages mobilization of the hips and knees, improves standing balance and stability, helps with transfers from one place to another and improves rehabilitation without straining the therapist.
Treasurer for the Clive Lions, Dave Boyd, said the group earned money at a casino, which allows for donations to worthy causes. He says they have donated to different non-profit groups such as Ronald McDonald House, the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
MacKenzie said she usually gives the Hospital Auxiliary a wish list of equipment they need and the group looks as what they can do to help.