Royal Inland Hospital.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

The Royal Inland Hospital Foundation received a $1 million donation from Kruger and Unifor today.

It's the biggest donation made by a partnership of employees, employer and union representatives, according to a RIH Foundation release issued today, Feb. 27.

The donation will go toward the Kruger Unifor Atriumin the Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower at the hospital and is the central focus point for visitors after they enter the new main entrance to the hospital. The atrium will now be able to accommodate guests year-round.

It's described by foundation as a bright and inviting space, filled with natural light and scenic imagery of local wonders and is an inclusive place for staff, patients and families to gather.

“The Kruger Unifor Atrium is a place for people of all backgrounds to come together to unite in compassion and care,” reads the release. “The word Kamloops comes from the Secwépemc word Tk’emlúps, meaning where the rivers meet and refers to the convergence of the North and South Thompson rivers. As two organizations deeply rooted in the well-being of Kamloops, Kruger and Unifor have created a convergence of their own by embarking on a joint mission to support health equity in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region.”

Unifor’s half of the donation is split between the national union and Local 10-B, which is also the case for Kruger, with a portion of the funds coming from the corporate office and the rest from the ulp mill on Mission Flats Road.

Kruger acquired the Kamloops mill in June last year and joined the partnership established by the mill, its employees and Unifor to make the donation to the hospital.

“The well-being of the community is really important to Kruger,” Darrell Booker with Kruger said in the release. “I think that’s why an area like this, a place of compassion and care, is such a great match for us.”

The partnership idea gained traction within the mill and part of the funds were obtained from individual contributions by workers.

"As a member of Unifor Local 10-B, I am proud that my colleagues and our union joined their efforts to give back to the community where we live and work,” Wesley Mitchel with the union said in the release. “Our families, colleagues, and friends go to RIH to obtain healthcare and we are happy that they will now have a beautiful space to unwind and gather with loved ones during what is often a challenging period in their lives." 

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