Monday, October 28, 2002

Electricians Give Back To New Hospital
by Lisa Arsenault (Lifestyles Editor)

WORKERS DONATE TOYS - Shown here are fund-raisers from Moncton Electrical, back row from left, Medard Landry, Richard Wallace, Lester Rector and John Ripley. In front are Darrell Beal, organizer for the event, and Darla MacPherson, patient care manager of the maternal care unit at the hospital. (Arsenault)

AMHERST - Children who will require care at the Cumberland County's new regional hospital will have a more positive experience thanks to the fundraising efforts of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, or IBEW.

On behalf of the IBEW and all union trades who have worked on the new hospital, event organizer Darryl Beal, presented the Darla MacPherson, patient care manager for the maternal care unit, with a new television, a Playstation 2 and a variety of video games, DVD movies and board games for the ward.

The IBEW has been holding 50/50 draws for over a year and raised the $950 used to purchase the toys, said Beal.

"Basically, all the electricians that work here are local residents, so it's nice to be able to work so close to home," Beal said. He explained the workers are often on contracts that take them on the road.

"It's a way for us to give back, just to say thank you. We are all from this area and we will all use this hospital. Our friends and family will use this hospital."

Beal said it was important to make sure the toys purchased would be suitable for all ages, both boys and girls. But he also wanted to get stuff the children would like so he took his young son along for the shopping trip. Beal's son helped pick out selections such as Shrek and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as well as Scooby Doo movies and games. Beal said he would like to extend a big thank you to Zellers, whose staff was more than helpful with the purchasing. In fact, Beal said thanks to Zellers, they were able to get more items than $950 would normally allow for.