December 20, 2016
Staff at Sturgeon Community Hospital’s labour and delivery unit are thrilled that St. Albert Catholic High School students have created and donated stockings for their newest, littlest patients.
Story and photo by Shelly Willsey
ST ALBERT — Christmas came a little early to Sturgeon Community Hospital this year when art students from St. Albert Catholic High School illustrated and donated 100 stockings to the hospital’s labour and delivery unit.
“We have such great community support,” says Betty-Lynn Zukewich, volunteer coordinator for the hospital."
“Being able to present new parents with a stocking for their baby makes a memorable moment, not just for them but, for our staff, too.”
Decorated with images of Christmas trees, lights, snowmen and festive phrases like ‘Happy Holidays’, the bright red stockings are being given to babies born here through the holiday season.
“We loved having the opportunity to make these,” says Skye Murk, a Grade 11 student.
“These stockings could mean something to the family, and might even become something they’ll keep for years.”
Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 began work on the stockings in October.
“It feels good to make art for other people, not just for yourself,” adds Grade 11 student Nadine Kowalyshun.
This marks the second year these students have crafted stockings for the hospital’s littlest patients — and they hope to make it a tradition.
Last year, more than 2,800 babies were born at the Sturgeon.
