The Rotary Club of Campbell River is set to launch its Annual March for Children in March.
"The Rotary Clubs of Cambell River are again collecting donations as part of the March for Children fundraiser, which will take place on Saturday, March 1, at various intersections throughout the city," said Robin Havelaar, a member of the Rotary Club.
Havelaar says they are hoping to raise between $10,000 and $15,000.
"It’s becoming more difficult as our society moves to less cash, but since the event has been around for so long, many people in Campbell River save up bills and coins specifically for this fundraiser," she said. "We are always blown away by the generosity of this community."
All donations will go directly toward purchasing two pieces of equipment for the Campbell River Hospital's Pediatrics and Maternity Departments. They are a vital signs monitor and a milk warmer.
A vital signs monitor tracks the pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and body temperature of patients, making it a crucial piece of equipment. Without it, medical staff might be unable to detect or respond to any complications quickly. A vital signs monitor helps ensure the safety of mothers and infants.
The milk warmer is a device that warms breast milk or formula to the best feeding temperature, promoting proper digestion, comfort, and nutrition absorption. This device is particularly important for preterm or low-birth-weight babies.
"We choose the pieces of equipment in partnership with the Campbell River Hospital Foundation," Havelaar said. "They let us know what the pediatrics or maternity departments need, and we typically agree to allocate funds based on their recommendation. If the equipment is expensive and exceeds our target, the funds will go toward the purchase rather than purchasing the items outright. In the past, these items have included a portable ultrasound machine, a respiratory analyzer, resuscitation carts, a transcutaneous monitoring system, panda warmers, and so much more."
Rotary Club volunteers will be collecting donations at various locations in Campbell River. These spots are Alder Street at 2nd Avenue, Dogwood Street at 13th Avenue, St. Ann's at Shopper's Row, and Rotary Beach Park.
They will be at every location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. except St. Ann's at Shopper's Row, where they will be there for another hour.
For those without cash, volunteers have debit tap machines at Rotary Beach Park and St. Ann's.
Donations can also be made via e-transfer to ccrotarymarch4children@gmail.com, or through the Campbell River Hospital Foundation's website (crhospitalfoundation.ca) under the March for Children event page.
"People can absolutely still make donations electronically after March 1. If donations are received many weeks after March 1st, they may be allocated toward next year’s March for Children fundraiser," Havelaar said.
Rotary Club volunteers will be at various locations in Campbell River collecting donations. These spots are Alder Street at 2nd Avenue, Dogwood Street at 13th Avenue, St. Ann's at Shopper's Row, and Rotary Beach Park.
They will be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at every location except St. Ann's at Shopper's Row, where they will be there for another hour.
For those without cash, volunteers have debit tap machines at Rotary Beach Park and St. Ann's.
Donations can also be made via e-transfer to crrotarymarch4children@gmail.com, or through the Campbell River Hospital Foundation's website (crhospitalfoundation.ca) under the March for Children event page.
"People can absolutely still make donations electronically after March 1. If donations are received many weeks after March 1st, they may be allocated toward next year’s March for Children fundraiser," Havelaar said.
