The Canada Post Community Foundation awarded Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH) with a major grant on Thursday morning.
This year, Canada Post is giving 106 grants worth $1.3 million to charities, schools and community groups across the country.
Scott Watson, the Government and Community Affairs Manager for Canada Post, says the organization is proud to be presenting OSMH with $25,000 of that funding.
"It's really great," Watson said. "As a corporation, we are thrilled to support local communities all across the country."
Since 2012, Canada Post has handed out more than $14 million worth of grants to over 1,300 community projects which are mostly driven toward children and youth. The funds are raised through employee donations, the sale of an annual stamp, and donations at the register.
"It's just a good way to give back to our community," Watson said.
Watson says OSMH was a successful applicant for the grant because of the number of people it impacts.
"They are doing a lot of great work," he said. "They are a great community organization with grassroots support. That's why we picked them."
Laura Ferris, director of surgical services, regional women and children’s programs at OSMH, says the funding will be used for the purchase of three Panda Resuscitation Tables, which provide a warm, controlled environment for infants, allowing medical teams to assess and stabilize newborns.
"We deliver over 1,000 babies every single year," she said. "We also provide specialized care for high-risk pregnancies throughout the region."
Ferris says there are three panda warmers currently at OSMH that are at the end of life.
"They are 22 years old," she explained. "This donation will help purchase three new ones with two going to our birthing unit and the other one going to our emergency department."
Ferris says the donation is "really important" for the care of young patients at OSMH.
"Now we will be set up and ready to go at a moment's notice to provide a high level of care," she said.
