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Poinsettia tradition comes to northern Saskatchewan

Nov 30, 2017 | 1:00 PM

Over the past number of years Project Poinsettia quickly became a Christmas tradition bringing holiday cheer to residents in hospitals and long-term care facilities in northern Saskatchewan.

Q98 started the project a few years ago specifically for the Battlefords but the program grew in recent years to encompass the entire Prairie North Health Region.

“I think Project Poinsettia is one of the most important things we as a radio station do in our community,” Q98 program director Nic Fransoo said. “There are many people in our long term care facilities that don’t have family or perhaps their family can’t be with them for Christmas. So for us to be able to share the spirit of Christmas with them is special for everyone involved.”

Last December almost 1,000 poinsettias were delivered to patients in hospitals and long term care facilities throughout the health region with the help of community minded businesses and volunteers.

“Again this year we are partnering with CUPE local 5111 and a whole host of other community partners to make this a special day,” Fransoo added. ”Without them, we couldn’t bring smiles to people’s faces every Christmas.”

According to Fransoo, every long term care facility in the Battlefords, Meadow Lake, Cut Knife, Edam, St. Walburg, and all points in between will get a visit from the Project Poinsettia patrol over the course of the next week.

“Christmas is a time of sharing and for caring and that is exactly what Project Poinsettia was meant to do,” Fransoo said.

 

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter