From left: Meadow Lake Hospital Foundation Vice-chair Shelley Arnold, Eve Danilkewich and chairman Scott Campbell pose with a cheque for $100,000. (Submitted Photo/ML Hospital Foundation)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Memory Tree

$250K for ML Hospital Foundation following gala and memorial tree

Dec 2, 2024 | 4:17 PM

The memory of a beloved Meadow Lake doctor shines on through the stars hanging off a memorial tree.

The idea to start a tree fundraiser had been ruminating in Iris Lay’s mind for a number of years.

“This year, I just threw it out at the committee to see what they thought about it, and everybody really liked the idea,” she said of the Dr. Jake Letkeman Memorial Tree.

When Dr. Jake Letkeman, a longtime physician specializing in obstetrics passed away two months ago, another committee member suggested the idea for the memorial tree. People purchased stars and wrote their loved one’s name on it.

During the ‘A Night Under the Stars’ gala, which was held on Nov. 30, the bedazzled tree was shown off all evening before being bought at the live auction and then donated back to the hospital.

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“It will be displayed at the hospital for a certain amount of time and also with the person that purchased it at the live auction will have their name displayed on it as well as being the donor for the entire tree,” Lay added of HDO Venture’s purchase.

The event is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year and this year, raised $150,000 thus reaching their goal. In addition, the foundation was also presented with a cheque for $100,000 from the late doctor and Eve Danilkewich thus bringing the whopping grand total to $250,000.

The Dr. Jake Letkeman Memorial Tree shines brightly at the Meadow Lake Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees. (Submitted Photo/ML Hospital Foundation)

Historically, it isn’t the first time a memorial tree was featured as a community effort. When the foundation had a Ladies’ Axillary, they used to host a memorial tree, although instead of stars, bows clung to its branches.

The namesake of this year’s tree was well established at his practice in family medicine by the time Shelley Arnold, Meadow Lake Hospital Foundation vice-chair arrived in the mid-’80s. Later, he branched out to delivery.

“He did most of our deliveries in Meadow Lake, which took in the surrounding area as well,” she said.

Arnold explained the doctor believed additional schooling was needed and led to training in ultrasound. This allowed him to work further afield and go to fly-in northern communities.

“It was really good ‘cause lots of those northern communities didn’t have proper prenatal care and so with Dr. Letkeman flying out, that really helped.”

The committee members hoped it would create an atmosphere where people could come and reflect and think about people that have done good deeds for the community and people who may have lost loved ones.

“It’s something I’m hoping that maybe this tree can continue on in future years and always be a tribute to someone that’s been very dominant in the community and helped out a lot,” Lay said.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social