From left to right: Erin Katerynych, Executive Director of BDFRC; Sharon Sankey, president of Local 33; and Dawne Tokaryk during the cheque presentation for the $2,500 donation Local 33 made to the food bank. (photo/Erin Katerynych)

By Kenneth Cheung

NURSES UNITE

‘Giving back’ : BUH nurses merge to expand community impact

Nov 13, 2024 | 3:28 PM

The Saskatchewan Union of Nurses Local 33 at Battleford Union Hospital (BUH) is preparing to amalgamate with nearby hospital unions, aiming to amplify the voices of registered nurses and enhance their impact on the community.

Since 2019, 140 Local 33 nurses have been making nearly $10,000 in donations to local charities yearly, including Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre (BDFRC) and Battlefords Humane Society.

With the merger, the total number of registered nurses representing the entire Battlefords area and its surroundings will rise to 450.

When asked about what inspired them to give back, despite nurses already taking care of the community, Sharon Sankey, the president of Local 33, believes it is a matter of social responsibility.

“Nurses are caring and compassionate people. They work long, hard hours, and on the side. If we can give back to the community, we’ll continue to do that,” she noted.

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She remembered a moment when she wrote a cheque to the Humane Society. The staff member who received it was gracious, as the shelter desperately needed those funds.

“The workers were like, ‘We can’t believe this. We’re shocked. We have two dogs that are injured and are in need of the expenses and everything; we are running short on food; how are we going to get these debt expenses covered?’” Sankey recalled.

“I kid you not. They said I walked through the doors 30 minutes later with the $2,500 cheque.”

Recognizing their collaborative effort could relieve people’s stress, she described the experience as a humbling one.

“It is like a game changer for some of these organizations to just walk through the doors and say, ‘Hi, I am a complete stranger, and our group of nurses from the hospital want to give back to you guys,’” she stated.

Dawne Tokaryk, a retired nurse, has dedicated her time to volunteering at the BDFRC. She believes that nurses play a crucial role not only within the hospital walls but also in the broader community.

With their caring nature, she believes nurses can provide valuable support to charities, especially during challenging times when many individuals need assistance.

“We’re just doing it basically knowing there’s a good cause to be served,” Tokaryk noted.

Looking ahead, Sankey is committed to continuing the tradition of giving back. They plan to ensure that donations remain a central part of the budget while seeking new charities to support.

“All the registered nurses of the BUH believe in giving back to the community, helping out those less fortunate,” she said.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com