Optimism in Action 

October 16, 2026

When it comes to welcoming a new baby, comfort and choice matter. A recent $10,000 gift from the Optimist Club of Stratford is helping bring greater flexibility to pain management during labour and delivery at Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) – Stratford General Hospital.

The donation was celebrated at the Club's October meeting, where members welcomed representatives from the Stratford General Hospital Foundation, along with Lynanne Mason, Vice President, Partnerships, Transformation & Chief Nursing Executive at the HPHA. Lynanne spoke to members about how this investment will benefit both patients and the environment.

Commonly known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide offers a fast-acting pain management option during labour. While already available at Stratford General Hospital, the addition of portable units will give care teams greater flexibility to provide pain relief wherever it is needed within the Maternal Child Unit.

The new units will also help reduce the hospital's environmental footprint. By replacing an aging centralized system with portable equipment that delivers nitrous oxide directly where it is needed, the hospital can significantly reduce gas waste and greenhouse gas emissions associated with leaks in traditional piping systems.

With a need for four portable units, the Club’s contribution is helping bring the hospital closer to meeting this important equipment priority.

Since 2018, the Optimist Club of Stratford has contributed more than $80,000 toward medical equipment for the Maternal Child Unit, reflecting an ongoing commitment to supporting children and families in our community.

Thank you to the Optimist Club of Stratford and its members for their continued generosity and for helping make exceptional care possible, close to home.

A Little Bear, A Lot of Comfort

October 15, 2026

Sometimes, the smallest gestures can bring the greatest comfort.

For more than five years, Tradition Mutual Insurance Company has helped bring comfort to patients and families at the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance – Stratford General Hospital through its ongoing support of teddy bears. Their latest donation of$1,846.49 will help continue this thoughtful tradition.

These teddy bears find their way into the arms of patients and families in several meaningful ways.

Through the Foundation's Teddy Bears and Friends program, every $100 donated in support of the Special Care Nursery provides a teddy bear to a little one receiving care in the unit.

The bears also play a special role in the hospital's Infant Loss program. Some are transformed into weighted bears and given to families who have experienced the loss of a baby, offering something tangible to hold during an incredibly difficult time.

Others find their way to young patients visiting hospital clinics, including the Orthopedic Clinic, where a cuddly companion can provide reassurance during an unfamiliar or sometimes frightening experience, such as having a cast removed.

While each bear may have a different destination, they all share the same purpose: to offer a little extra care and comfort when it's needed most.

Thank you to Tradition Mutual for more than five years of thoughtful generosity and for helping make these small but meaningful moments of comfort possible for patients and families at the HPHA - Stratford General Hospital.

Turning a Milestone into Meaningful Support

September 23, 2026

D&S Downham Equipment marked an incredible 65 years in business by celebrating the people who have been part of their story and giving back to the communities that have supported them along the way.

Through ticket sales, auction bids and donations at their 65th Anniversary Party, D&S Downham Equipment & Karcher Professional Wash Systems raised funds in support of local healthcare. From the proceeds, $9,000 has been donated to the Stratford General Hospital Foundation's Greatest Needs Fund, with an additional $9,000 being donated to Woodstock Hospital Foundation.

The anniversary celebration brought together former and current staff, customers and friends to recognize D&S Downham Equipment's history and, most importantly, the customers whose support has helped the business reach this milestone.

At Stratford General Hospital, the Greatest Needs Fund gives the Foundation the flexibility to respond to priority medical equipment and technology needs identified by the hospital. This year's needs include equipment supporting departments throughout the hospital, from a System 9 which is an advanced, cordless aseptic power tool platform designed for a wide range of orthopedic, trauma, and sports medicine surgical procedures to defibrillators used for cardiac resuscitation.

By turning their anniversary celebration into an opportunity to give back, D&S Downham Equipment and everyone who took part are helping ensure our hospital teams have access to the tools they need to provide exceptional care close to home.

Congratulations to D&S Downham Equipment on 65 years, and thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket, placed an auction bid or made a donation to help make this generous gift possible.

A Place at the Table for Local Healthcare

September 22, 2026

A community production at Shakespeare Presbyterian Church has turned an evening at the theatre into meaningful support for local healthcare.

Through proceeds from its production of The Table: Bread. Wine. Betrayal., Shakespeare Presbyterian Church has donated $4,200.80 to the Stratford General Hospital Foundation’s Greatest Needs Fund.

Written and directed by Rev. Gail Fricker, The Table explored the stories surrounding the final days of Jesus through themes of faith, friendship and betrayal. The production grew from an idea shared by Richard and Jean Smelski and quickly became a true community effort, bringing together members of Shakespeare Presbyterian Church, neighbouring churches and the wider community. Performances were held March 27 and 28, 2026 with all seats spoken for weeks in advance.

Behind the scenes, members of the congregation contributed their time and talents in countless ways, from building the stage and providing props to performing, rehearsing and helping bring the production to life.

That spirit of community has now extended beyond the stage.

Thank you to Shakespeare Presbyterian Church, everyone involved in The Table, and all those who attended and supported the production. Your creativity, generosity and community spirit are helping ensure our hospital teams have the equipment they need to provide exceptional care close to home.

A Breath of Comfort for Labour and Delivery

September 8, 2026

Lange Bros. Tree Service has made a generous $12,500 pledge to the Stratford General Hospital Foundation to help bring a new Portable Nitrous Oxide Unit to the Maternal Child Unit at the HPHA – Stratford General Hospital.

The pledge is being supported through proceeds from the company’s annual summer BBQ, a tradition that brings together employees, family, friends and community members in support of local healthcare.

To date, $6,025 has been received toward their commitment.

Commonly known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide provides a safe, fast-acting pain management option during labour. Self-administered as needed, it offers patients greater comfort while allowing them to remain alert, mobile and in control throughout their experience. For many, it can provide a reassuring alternative or complement to other pain management options.

The portability of the new unit will also make an important difference. Rather than being limited to a specific room, it can be moved wherever it is needed within the Maternal Child Unit, giving nurses, physicians and midwives greater flexibility to provide personalized care at the bedside.

Through their annual BBQ and generous pledge, Lange Bros. Tree Service is helping ensure families have access to comfort, dignity and choice during some of life’s most meaningful moments.

The Stratford General Hospital Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to Lange Bros. Tree Service and everyone who has supported their annual BBQ. Their generosity will help equip the Maternal Child Unit with another important tool to support patient-centred care close to home.

Helping Brighten Hospital Stays for Young Patients

July 22, 2026

Thanks to the generosity of MD Financial Management, Scotiabank, their team members and community supporters, children receiving care at the HPHA – Stratford General Hospital will have access to more toys, games and creative activities during their hospital stay.

Throughout the month of June, MD Financial Management and Scotiabank invited staff, clients and community members to donate new toys and arts and crafts supplies in support of children receiving care at local hospitals. Together, the initiative collected more than 1,200 items across the region, including more than 200 for our Maternal Child Unit.

The donations include colouring books, crayons, markers, craft kits and a variety of toys that will be shared with children receiving care throughout the year. These thoughtful gifts provide opportunities for play, creativity and distraction throughout a child's hospital stay. For children who are feeling better but not yet ready to go home, they can also help pass the time and ease boredom as they continue to recover.

The Stratford General Hospital Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to MD Financial Management and Scotiabank for leading this meaningful initiative, and to the staff, clients and community members whose donations made it possible. Their kindness will help create brighter moments for children and families throughout the year.

A Personal Experience Inspires a Practical Gift

July 21, 2026

A late-night visit to the HPHA – Stratford General Hospital Emergency Department inspired Michael Welsh to help improve care for future patients.

Last year, after losing his wife, June, to pancreatic cancer, Michael put on a ring he had given her fifty years earlier. Not long afterward, the ring became so tightly lodged on his finger that it could not be removed. Despite numerous attempts to remove it at home, he turned to the hospital for help.

A dedicated nurse spent more than two hours carefully removing the ring, ensuring Michael suffered no injury in the process. He remains grateful for the skill, patience and compassion shown throughout his care.

Months later, Michael read a Globe and Mail article about the Canadian-made Ring Rescue device, designed to safely remove rings quickly and with less discomfort for patients. The story immediately brought him back to his own experience.

Inspired to help, Michael made a gift to the Stratford General Hospital Foundation to purchase a Ring Rescue device.

Today, this specialized equipment is available in the Emergency Department, helping care teams safely remove rings more quickly and comfortably while improving the patient experience.

Through his thoughtful gift, Michael has transformed a difficult personal experience into an opportunity to benefit patients and care teams for years to come.

A Tradition That Continues to Soar!

June 23, 2026

A beloved community tradition took flight once again this year as the Perth County Flying Club's Fly-In, Drive-In Breakfast raised $6,225 in support of Stratford General Hospital Foundation’s greatest needs fund.

Held on June 7 at the Stratford Municipal Airport, the annual event brought together aviation enthusiasts, classic car lovers, families, and community supporters for a morning of food, fellowship and fun, all while making a meaningful impact on local healthcare.

This year's success was made possible through the dedication of countless volunteers and supporters. The Flying Club extends special thanks to its event sponsors — Accumetal Manufacturing, Stratford Air Services, Strickland's Automart, and Work Pub & Eatery — for their generous financial and in-kind support, including the use of hangar space that helped make the event possible. Appreciation is also extended to the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation, Gusair Photography, Stratford Fire Department, Stratford Cruises, and the 107.1 CJCS / 2dayFM SMP Community Cruiser for helping create a memorable experience for attendees.

By supporting the hospital's greatest needs fund, proceeds from the event help ensure resources are available where they are needed most, enhancing care for patients and families across our region.

Since its inception, the Fly-In, Drive-In Breakfast has raised more than $49,000 in support of patient care at the HPHA - Stratford General Hospital. That remarkable achievement reflects the dedication of volunteers, sponsors, participants, and attendees who continue to make this event a shining example of community support in action.

251 Kilometres. One Incredible Impact.

June 19, 2026

When Samm Simon set out from Stratford on the Epic Run for Cancer, he had a bigger goal in mind than reaching Tobermory.

Over seven days, Samm completed an incredible 251-kilometre journey, inspiring friends, family, sponsors, and supporters to rally behind a cause close to his heart. Motivated by his wife's cancer journey and a desire to help others facing similar challenges, Samm transformed every kilometre into an opportunity to make a difference.

Today, we are honoured to recognize Samm's generosity and determination with a gift of $11,300 in support of the Emergency Department.

The funds are part of more than $33,000 raised through Samm's Epic Run for Cancer, with gifts also being presented to Wellspring Stratford and the London Health Sciences Foundation in support of the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre.

Samm's Epic Run for Cancer brought together donors, sponsors, family members, friends, and community supporters who believed in his vision and cheered him on every step of the way. Together, they have created a lasting impact for patients and families who rely on these essential healthcare and support services.

Through determination, compassion, and a commitment to helping others, Samm has demonstrated the power of one person to inspire a community. The impact of his journey will be felt close to home for years to come.