The Sylvan Lake Urgent Care Committee is in the process of creating the Sylvan Lake and Area Health Foundation.
To date, the UCC has received support from the County of Lacombe, the Town of Bentley and the five Summer Villages of Sylvan Lake.
“The Town of Eckville is moving in a different direction and will form a ‘Community Foundation’ that has a larger scope,” UCC chair Susan Samson said.
“We have made presentations to the Town of Sylvan Lake and Red Deer County and are waiting to hear back from them with their decision.”
The support given to the creation of the Sylvan Lake and Area Health Foundation makes a big difference, Samson said.
“The support allows our partners to be recognized in the area that is served by Sylvan Lake and Area Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (AACS).”
Once all partners are in place, five to nine directors will be sought out in order to develop the Health Foundation Bylaws.
“The bylaws are sent to the Health Minister for approval and the final approved package is sent to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to receive charitable status.”
As a health foundation supported by Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Sylvan Lake and Area Health Foundation will fundraise for medical equipment and will also advocate for the medical services provided by the AACS.
“The area partnership gives us a stronger voice, as we have greater and diverse representation, to advocate and support the medical services that we are invested in,” Samson said.
“We also will provide charitable receipts to residents in our partnering communities who wish to donate to other AHS-run facilities located in their communities that are not serviced by a Health Foundation.”
Once the Health Foundation is up and running the UCC will no longer exist.
More information on the Sylvan Lake and Area Health Foundation will be available at a later date.