Cub Scouts in Nanaimo want to show love and appreciation to health-care workers while earning a merit badge.
Roman Baillie, along with Breanne Bastarache and Madalyn Tucker, are working toward a community service award and Baillie started a GoFundMe page to raise money for bouquets of flowers for workers at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. A bouquet will be delivered with every $25 raised.
The Seeonee Award from Scouts Canada is granted after a community project and 15 volunteer hours in the community, said Matt Baillie, a scout leader and Roman’s father. In addition, scouts must earn 10 levels of outdoor adventure skills badges for skills such as building fires and learning first aid techniques.
In a YouTube video, Baillie said the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone and said workers at NRGH have been most affected and have given the most..
“Lately, the hospital has been overflowing with COVID-19 patients, overrun by protesters and all parts of the hospital have been short-staffed,” Baillie said. “I cannot bring on more staff … and I cannot stop people from getting sick, but what I can do is show my appreciation for all the hard work the nurses, the cleaners, the care aides and the doctors and all the other members do and I need your help.”
Bastarache is not happy when she sees health-care workers targeted.
“It makes me sad because they’re trying to help the community be better,” said Bastarache.
The three scouts will deliver the flowers along with hand-written cards.
The fundraiser is set to continue until Nov. 2 and the flowers will be delivered over the following week and a half. As of Saturday, $245 has been raised and while the target is $500, Matt Baillie said the three may even look to raise $1,000. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/msv77k-flowers-for-hospital-workers.
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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