Cameco takes care of cold hands with warm hearts by sponsoring campaign
As a marathon runner, Cameco Vice-President Jonathan Huntington spends time running on the streets of west side Saskatoon where the Cameco offices are located, and he says he sees the people in need in the area.
“On any given day in the winter time, you see the challenges vulnerable people face,” Jonathan said.
This winter, Cameco sponsored the Cold Hands Warm Hearts campaign to help purchase toques, mitts and hand warmers to hand out to people looking for a place to warm up.
During cold winter months, St. Paul's Hospital has often been a designated warm-up spot, but due to pandemic restrictions, our Hospital cannot be one of those places this winter. The campaign allows Hospital staff to give some support to people looking for shelter by providing winter gear for them to wear as they make their way to the next community warm up facility.
“When it's -30 degrees and you're in a vulnerable position, getting those toques and mitts is so important,” Jonathan said. “The Cold Hands Warm Hearts campaign could make a real difference for those people. … When we look back at this program, we’ll know we made a real difference this winter.”
He encourages people to think about the less fortunate and how a campaign like this might help.
SPH Executive Director Tracy Muggli agrees.
“The pandemic has unfairly impacted people without financial means and permanent housing, and this campaign aligns with our values to creatively respond to unmet needs with compassion and respect,” Tracy said.
Deep ties to the Hospital
Cameco supports many different initiatives in the community, including youth, education, literacy, wellness, and health. In total, Cameco has given just over $2 million to SPH Foundation since 1989, including a $1.5 million gift to advance nuclear medicine as part of our Embracing the Future campaign.
SPH Foundation CEO Lecina Hicke says Cameco’s interest in supporting health initiatives at the Hospital has had profound impacts on the care patients receive.
“We’re so incredibly grateful for the remarkable generosity Cameco has shown St. Paul’s Hospital over the years. Their long-time support has brought about extraordinary change in our Hospital, and sponsoring the Cold Hands Warm Hearts campaign is yet another testament to their commitment to helping us provide thoughtful, holistic, person-centered care.”
The connection between Cameco and St. Paul’s Hospital has deepened during the pandemic as Cameco relies on the Hospital to process COVID tests taken at their northern mine sites. St. Paul’s is the Hospital that serves Saskatchewan’s north, and so ended up working often with the company throughout the pandemic when testing needs surged.
“That’s just one of the many reasons why St. Paul’s Hospital is so valuable to us,” Jonathan said. “Not to mention the employees and their families in our community who will use that Hospital whether for emergency care or palliative care.”
‘A giving spirit’
Jonathan has lived in Saskatoon for 10 years, and one of his fondest memories at St. Paul’s prior to the pandemic is participating in the Hospital’s annual Community Days, where local students and community members were invited to a barbecue held on the front lawn of the Hospital.
“Rolling up my sleeves and serving hot dogs, serving drinks, seeing our westside community schools — to me, that's what sets St. Paul’s Hospital apart.”
He’s not the only person at Cameco who rolls up his sleeves for community service. Jonathan says CEO Tim Gitzel truly believes in making a difference in the community, and that energy and enthusiasm is shared in the company, from the executive to the entry level positions.
“It's in our culture to give back,” Jonathan said. “It's a wonderful company because there’s a giving spirit inside our company. We do walk that talk of rolling up our sleeves and getting after it. … I’ve been fortunate to play a small role in some of those projects.”