November 30, 2023 – The Northern Star campaign was launched on November 16 in Bathurst, in collaboration with participating foundations in the north of the province. As part of this fundraising campaign, we celebrated the great evening of illumination yesterday. Over 200 fir trees were lit up simultaneously in front of nine Vitalité Health Network hospitals. Many people turned out to take part in this magical event, which took place in Grand Falls, Edmundston, Saint-Quentin, Campbellton, Bathurst, Caraquet, Lamèque, Tracadie and Sainte-Anne-de-Kent.
Remember that community members were invited to hang their dedication on a tree to pay tribute to a person or group in exchange for a $200 contribution to the campaign via their local foundation. “The magic was there again this year. It’s a great opportunity for all of us to recapture some of our childhood spirit. It’s also an opportunity to bring a ray of light to those who sometimes fight for their health, and even their lives. It’s also a way of symbolizing our attachment to someone we care about, or the memory of a loved one who has passed away,” says Lisa LeBreton, representative for UNI Financial Cooperation.
The Northern Star campaign continues until the end of December. As is the tradition at this time of year, people can purchase mini-trees for $2, $5, $10 and $20 at their UNI point of service and in selected stores in participating regions. They can also be purchased online via the secure website athomefirst.ca. “This enlightenment is a balm for the heart and nourishes the spirit in a world that needs it more and more. It’s a unifying activity that brings serenity to our hospital environment. Staff and patients alike enjoy the warmth and empathy that this luminous decor radiates,” concludes Dr. Marilyne Bossé – chairperson of the Northern Star, Chaleur region.
About Northern Star
The Northern Star Campaign is a strong partnership between UNI Financial Cooperation and the 9 Northern New Brunswick Hospital Foundations. The event, which began in 2006, has raised over $1.3 million, which has been invested in equipment to improve health care in our communities first!
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The nine participating foundations are:
- Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation (Bathurst);
- Fondation Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus Inc. (Caraquet);
- Foundation of the Friends of the Grand Falls General Hospital Inc. (Grand Falls);
- Edmundston Regional Hospital Foundation (Edmundston);
- La Fondation de l’Hôpital de Lamèque (Lamèque);
- Friends of Healthcare Foundation (Campbellton);
- Fondation Dr Romaric Boulay (Saint-Quentin);
- The Friends of the Stella-Maris-de-Kent Foundation (Sainte-Anne-de-Kent);
- Fondation Les Amis de l’Hôpital de Tracadie (Tracadie).
For more information:
Annie Arseneau, Development Agent
506-544-2370 | annie.arseneau@vitalitenb.ca
