A day of a thousand smiles: St. Paul’s Hospital hosts the 25th Annual Community Day

Each year, hundreds of kids are invited to a party on the front lawn of St. Paul’s Hospital for its annual Community Day.

Diane Boechler with the Mission Office at St. Paul's Hospital says the planning committee is expecting up to 1,500 visitors throughout the day, including about 650 children ranging from kindergarten to grade three from surrounding community elementary schools.

“The day is absolute bedlam in the most fun way possible,” Diane says. “Our lawn is full of people, big and little, and it’s very busy, but in a relaxed way. Hospital staff, service organization personnel and the school children have a chance to sit on the lawn, listen to entertainment and most every year enjoy the sun and being outdoors.”

This year’s 25th annual celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 31. For the past quarter of a century, the community has gathered at St. Paul’s for a day of fun and friendship, and to celebrate the neighbourhood and its children.

Local performers this year include dancers and drummers from Princess Alexandra School; Parab Poet, a hip hop artist with positive messages for youth; Kenni the Clown; and The Super Ron Show, a magician act. Activities include bean bag toss, basketball toss, face painting with SCYAP, Remai Modern SaskTel Art Caravan, and tours of Saskatoon Police Services, MD Ambulance and Saskatoon Fire & Prevention Services vehicles.

There are treat bags for the children, as well as hot dogs, apples, oranges, chips, popsicles, and bottled water for everyone who comes to the party. More than 2,800 hot dogs have been ordered for the event. “And we usually don’t have any leftovers!” Diane says.

All the food has been donated by generous sponsors. More than 20 local organizations and businesses support this event, including one that designates their contribution to bus transportation for the schools.

“Without this financial support some of the schools would not be able to participate. We have a loyal, compassionate group of sponsors, many of whom have worked with us since the beginning to make Community Day a ‘day of a thousand smiles.’”

More than 100 volunteers come together to make this happen, from St. Paul’s Hospital and other sites within the Saskatoon Health Region, as well as high school students, the SPH Board and community sponsors.

St. Paul’s Hospital is so grateful to all of the volunteers and sponsors who help to make this special day happen.