The Okotoks and High River branches of the Royal Canadian Legion teamed up to present matching cheques to the High River District Health Care Foundation on Thursday, March 31.
The donations will have an important impact for patient care at the High River General Hospital.
Members from both Legion branches presented cheques to the health care foundation during an afternoon ceremony at the Legion's High River branch.
The total donation amounted to $23,900, with each Legion branch kicking in half, or $11,950.
Nancy Tonn, poppy chair of the Okotoks Legion, said all the money came from last year’s poppy fund.
“We are partnering with the High River Legion. They are giving the exact same amount, and it'll pay the full cost of the new ultra VAC machine,” she said.
The machine is used to treat wounds and helps prevent infection while making the patient more comfortable as the wound heals, she said.
Bob McLeod, president of the Okotoks Legion, said they have a good relationship with the High River branch and a history of working together.
Teaming up with the High River Legion means twice as much money can often be raised, he said.
“When one of us learns of a project or a need, then if it's a little more than we think perhaps we can find ourselves, we talk to the others. And we've been quite successful in doing that,” he said.
“(The hospital) here in High River, a lot of Okotoks people have ended up there,” McLeod said.
Veterans are also served by the hospital in High River, and that is part of the reason the Legion is able to provide funds from the poppy campaign.
A common request from Legion members is that money collected in Okotoks and High River stay in the area, Tonn said.
“We’re trying really hard to keep that going,” she said.
The foundation was asked to send a wishlist of items they thought they would need, and it went to the Legion executive and members to determine where money from the poppy fund could be best spent, Tonn said.
Foundation executive director Wendy Kennelly said the Utra VAC machine has been approved for purchase, but citing ongoing global supply issues, she could not give a timeline for when the equipment would be up and running.
High River Legion Branch No. 71 president Linda Reed and poppy fund chairwoman Rosalyn Richardson were also in attendance.
