NEWS RELEASE
SAULT AREA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
************************* Sault Area Hospital Foundation salutes Shoppers Drug Mart customers and employees
SAULT STE. MARIE, December 14, 2007 - Thanks to the generosity of Shoppers Drug Mart customers and employees in Sault Ste. Marie, more than $2,599 has been raised to benefit the Sault Area Hospital Foundation.
During September and October, Shoppers Drug Mart customers and employees have been participating in the cross-Canada Tree of Life Fundraising Campaign designed to support local and national charities.
Thanks to the local efforts of customers and employees here in Sault Ste. Marie, our charity will receive $2,599.55 which represents 75 percent of the money raised during the campaign.
The remaining 25 percentof funds raised will support national health-care charities focused on essential health research, treatment, awareness and education initiatives.
Across Canada, over 245 local health-care institutions, programs and charities have been named to benefit from this year’s Tree of Life campaign.
“This donation from Shoppers Drug Mart’s Tree of Life campaign is a most welcomed and appreciated gift that will go toward the purchase of new, upgraded and replacement medical equipment. At present, we are placing our focus on purchasing: a cardiac monitor for our endoscopy suite, two cystoscopes (telescopes for the bladder) for our Urology Department and a minimally invasive surgical instruments ramp for our sterile processing department”, said Cheryl Pavoni, executive director, SAHF. “Shoppers Drug Mart’s customers and employees can be rest assured that all equipment purchases are being conducted with the intention of transferring these items to the new hospital once it is completed.”
“These results are incredible and a true testament to the generosity of our customers and staff," said Steve Filek. “Shoppers Drug Mart has always been active in our local communities. This year we are pleased that we were able to support the Sault Area Hospital Foundation through our Tree of Life Campaign. We thank our customers and staff for taking this initiative to heart and really making a difference.”
The Shoppers Drug Mart Tree of Life fundraising campaign is a four-week program held across Canada each autumn.
Customers, staff and Pharmacist-Owners at each of Shoppers’ 1,000 stores raise funds for a local health charity by purchasing a paper leaf for the Tree of Life for a loonie, a maple leaf for $5 or an apple for $50 and add it to the “tree” displayed in each store.
Since 2002, the Tree of Life campaign has raised over $7.1 million for Canadian health charities.
This year alone, over 245 health charities in 10 provinces and two territories where Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix operates will benefit from the proceeds.
Shoppers Drug Mart stores are owned by local pharmacists who live, work and give back to the communities they serve.
PHOTO CAPTION: John Stefano (left), pharmacist/owner, Second Line West, presents a cheque for $2,599 to Norm Sauve, vice president of the Sault Area Hospital Foundation. The amount represents the proceeds of the "2007 Tree of Life" fundraising event. Absent from photo is Steve Filek, pharmacist/owner, Cambrian Mall.
*************************