Happenings in Rotary
Introduced by club secretary , Doug Fleming. Doug is a long time Stampede volunteer and the is proud grandfather of the MH Stampede Queen!
Lori Siedlieki serves on the MH Stampede board as the President. She is a pharmacy tech at AHS. Lori is a former chair of Stampede Queen committee. As a chaperone for the queen contestants, she is in effect the “Queen Mother”.  Ron Edwards is a long time businessman and involved with the MH Stampede as the GM for the last 4 years.
 
The Stampede has 18 PFT employees and 33 committees plus event and seasonal activity staff. The annual stampede is about 2% of activities. For example, this past weekend included a graduation, wedding, farmer markets and several other smaller events. This week about 400 people and 600 horses will arrive with the chuckwagon races. The RCMP musical ride comes in August – groups of ten or more get ticket discount of $3/ticket. Then Cars and Guitars. Then Indian Relay racing comes after that along with indigenous trade show, dancing and cultural events. Last is Hearts to Horse – a unique equine entertainment event. So the Stampede is much more than a summer fair and rodeo.
The Stampede brings about $20 million into the community annually.

The issue facing the Stampede is the need to replace a grandstand which has reached end of life and needs major improvements or replacement.
 
Q&A followed. There are 2 booths open to charities and non-profits for fundraising. The stampede takes 30% of revenue. The stampede itself can not give a tax receipt for donations. The Friends of the Fair can take donations and offer a receipt but money donated must go to the Pioneer Village OR the grandstand replacement.
 
Interact Club joined us from MHHS with 4 students including the 2 co-presidents. Presented on the past years activities. Have about 10 consistent members meeting weekly. They encourage school spirit, give back to the community and build positive relationships.
 
For fundraisers, support the Root Cellar and Health Foundation.
 
 
Activities:
 
At the beginning of the school year, did face painting for football games and at the Purple Shirt Basketball game. Proceeds went to the Foodbank and ALS Society.
 
Host bake sales throughout the year as a fundraiser with funds going to the Root Cellar and Real Humanitarian
 
Fill A Sock campaign is an annual event for the Health Foundation to fill a sock with basic hygiene products for those in need
 
Candy Jar fundraiser at Valentines Day – funds to ALS Society. It wasn’t as successful as hoped but learned from it for future activities.
 
Book Drive – leave a book, take a book. Books left donated to the Health Foundation
 
Root Cellar volunteering – several members volunteered for up to 3 hours a day helping prepare food baskets and assisting in store activities. Provided a give back to the community learning and education on how a charity works.
 
RYLA Trip – Rotary Youth Leadership – week long leadership development camp that helped attendees learn about themselves and develop leadership skills.
 
YIP presentation – Organized by the Community Foundation to showcase MH Community Housing and Redcliff Youth Center and each organization received $900
 
Cheque Presentations - $350 donated to the Root Cellar and the Health Foundation with surplus funds.
 
A short Q&A with members ensued.
MEDICINE HAT HEALTH FOUNDATION
On Monday 26 May, we had the pleasure of an animated, engaging, well illustrated presentation on the Medicine Hat Health Foundation, by Operations and Stewardship Coordinator, Sue Edwards.
 
 
A bit of history:
Our hospital’s origin dates back to 1889, built by volunteers with donated materials. The Foundation was established 29 years ago, to raise funds to support and enhance healthcare available to residents of Medicine Hat and area.
 
We were reminded that the Foundation is not Alberta Health Services but that they work ‘in tandem’. Sue expressed appreciation for the quality of the relationship between the two at this time.
 
The mission of the Foundation captures its essence:
‘To advance the health of our community through innovation and enhancements to health and wellness services in Southern Alberta’.
 
Work towards the mission is guided by a Board of Trustees and the values of the Foundation: Community, Compassion and Well Being, Integrity, Philanthropy, Transparency. Heading up the staff team of six, is Executive Director, Heather Bach.
 
Sue expressed the gratitude of the Foundation for their many community partners and volunteers. Volunteers serve in the Gift Shop, participate in events, and assist with administration and executive-related work, the number of volunteer hours totalling over 3,000 this past year.
 
The Foundation raised an astonishing $1m in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, of which $15,546.90 was raised by the Gift Shop.
 
So how was this money spent? To achieve the Foundation's vision, vitally important equipment was purchased, including 11 cardiac monitors, a central monitoring system for ICU, an MRI-compatible ventilator for the ICU, a video glide scope for ICU, and new electric beds for 5 North, totalling $756,000.
 
Sue went on to outline what she referred to as the Foundation’s new programs:
Teddy Bear program, Personal Hygiene kits, Craft program, Snack program, Kid’s Treasure Chest, White Rose program.
 
Sue wrapped her presentation with a brief outline of changes being made by the Alberta Health Services, including four new pillars (Recovery Alberta, Acute Care Alberta, Primary Care Alberta and Assisted Living Alberta). How these changes impact the Medicine Hat Health Foundation will become more evident in due course. Sue also mentioned that renovations are to be made to the pharmacy at the hospital and the Intensive Care Unit.
 
We, the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, and indeed the whole wider community, are grateful for the invaluable services provided by the Medicine Hat Health Foundation. A big thank you from Rotary! We will continue to support your endeavours as needed and as we are able.
Upcoming Events

June 2025

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Medicine Hat

We meet In Person & Online
Mondays at 11:45 a.m.
Medicine Hat Lodge
1051 Ross Glen Dr SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1B 3T8
Canada
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person. Our first meeting of every month is a ZOOM business meeting. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
Club Contact Info
Rotary Club of Medicine Hat
PO Box 1058
Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 7H1
 
mhrotary@gmail.com