Donation sees Providence Transitional Care Centre light up with holiday spirit

Providence Transitional Care Centre has been lit up for the holidays thanks to a generous donation from Barr Homes. The local land developer and home builder donated their time and equipment to install a number of lights on trees outside the building.

According to Providence Care, a former patient of the Transitional Care Centre, who spent her time enjoying the outside views, observed the beautiful fall leaves and worried that other patients and their families would now only see the bleakness of winter; a harsh reminder that they were not at home. The healthcare agency shared that the former patient had envisioned what the large trees surrounding the entrance could look like if they were covered in holiday lights, imagining the joy and hope the lights could bring as they sparkled against a snowy backdrop.

Thanks to a generous donation from Barr Homes, their vision is now a reality for the patients, staff, and volunteers at the 64-bed facility offering specialized, restorative care aimed at getting older adults home.

“We’d been working in the area, and we were contacted by the hospital to see if we might be able to do some Christmas lights for them,” said Jeff Brown, HR Manager and Safety Coordinator with Barr Homes. “We have the equipment to do everything, even up higher in the trees, so we thought it would be nice for the Centre if we were able to help them out and do something for them, so we did their Christmas lights for them.”

Brown noted that it was an easy ask when contacting the owners to ensure permission to do the project for Providence Care.

“It was definitely backed by the owners here. They’re pretty big on doing things in the community, so it was a simple question when we asked if we could proceed with doing this,” he said, noting that the holiday spirit was quick to catch on with those Barr Homes employees on the crew working to light up Providence Care Transitional Care Centre for the season.

And for those with the health-care facility, the difference is, well, like the difference in light between night and day.

“The holiday season is a difficult time to be in hospital, away from family, friends and those important traditions and celebrations”, said Lyle Brown, Facility Manager at Providence Transitional Care Centre. “We are so grateful for this generous donation from Barr Homes as we know it will truly make a difference.”

Providence Care said that Barr Homes has brightened the dark sky that arrives so early this time of year and gives patients, their families and staff a beautiful view when looking outside.

“The amount of patients that have come up to me in the halls at work and said how beautiful the lights are in the trees is awesome!” noted Gabrielle Noonan, Recreation Therapist at Providence Transitional Care Centre. “Great work everyone who planned and executed this!”