Parkland Integrated Health Centre. (saskhealthauthority.ca)

By paNOW Staff

Giving time and sponsorship

‘Gift in will’ agreement benefits recreation programs at Parkland Integrated Health Centre

Sep 18, 2024 | 12:38 PM

A Shellbrook man who was well known as a volunteer and advocate for the community continues to give back even beyond his living years.

James Van Eaton set up a gift in will agreement with Saskatoon Community Foundation back in 2014. The foundation invests endowed funds and directs them to the donor’s preferred interests or other charities. The fund Van Eaton set up benefits recreation programs at Parkland Integrated Health Centre (PIHC) where he lived for the last several years of his life.

The foundation said giving time and sponsorship was nothing new to Van Eaton and his wife Inez who farmed near Shellbrook. He was involved with Woodland Bus Association, a volunteer group that raised funds to purchase a wheelchair accessible van and bus for community members and people in a care setting. He was also an active member of the Shellbrook and District Health Services Foundation. His legacy gift was an expression of his values, passions and hopes for the PIHC.

The Jim and Inez Van Eaton Grant has started funding recreational activities for the residents at the Parkland Integrated Health Center. (submitted photo/Saskatoon Community Foundation)

“The most important element that Jim emphasized was the funds were to go to support recreation programs and be spent at the discretion of the recreation programming staff. Jim proudly shared that he and Inez would like the elders to have access to the things that would brighten their day, simple things like ice cream on a hot day, a country drive, a meal ordered in or out, and planned or spontaneous recreation and leisure opportunities,” the foundation said in a news release.

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The JIVE (Jim Inez Van Eaton) Jar was started to collect suggestions on what would make the elders’ days brighter. So far, the fund has gone to support activity kits like puzzles and adult colouring books, rhythm sticks, corn hole and board games, hoses for raised gardens and outings or treats for residents.

PIHC said the legacy gift means more things can be planned for residents now and in years down the road.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com