YORKTON, Sask. — More than 400 health-care workers were expected to attend a community-sponsored breakfast Sept. 24, at the Yorkton Regional Hospital, recognizing the contributions of staff from both the hospital and nearby long-term care homes.
The event, organized by the Health Foundation of East Central Saskatchewan with support from several local businesses, featured pancakes, sausage, coffee and prize draws.
"Mostly we want to say thank you to the staff at the hospital and say we appreciate the work that they do," said Ross Fisher, executive director of the Health Foundation.
The breakfast is one of several initiatives the foundation has organized for staff in recent years. Earlier this year, it hosted a barbecue lunch, while a free coffee day is also planned to return.
Fisher said the events are intended to draw attention to the positive work taking place within the health-care system and recognize the people behind it.
"All too often what you see are negative stories about health care," Fisher said. "We have more than 20,000 people come through the hospital each year in Yorkton, and almost all of them receive excellent care and excellent results. The staff do a wonderful job, and we want them to know their work is appreciated."
More than 1,000 Saskatchewan Health Authority employees work in Yorkton, Fisher said. Based on turnout at previous events, organizers anticipated at least 400 people would stop by for breakfast.
The meal was made possible through contributions from several community partners. Harvest Meats donated sausage, McDonald's supplied coffee and Parrish & Heimbecker provided pancake mix. Legacy Co-op supplied breakfast ingredients and assisted with food preparation and service.
Harley McClughan, general manager of Legacy Co-op, said supporting the event reflects the co-operative's commitment to the communities it serves.
"One of the Co-op brand pillars relates to being community minded," McClughan said. "Being able to grab breakfast and enjoy a meal together reinforces that sense of community."
Legacy Co-op employees joined Health Foundation volunteers in preparing, serving and cleaning up after the event.
"It felt like community serving community," McClughan said.
Organizers said they hope the breakfast served as a reminder that the work of local health-care employees is valued both inside and outside the hospital.
