Fonds wet-89 - Scandinavian Welfare Society fonds

In 1908, a group of men, largely of Scandinavian descent, met in Wetaskiwin to discuss the possibility of organizing a hospital. Aboard of directors as appointed and the decision was made to rent a large house to the south of the courthouse. The Scandinavian Hospital was incorporated on March 5th, 1908, and was the first hospital in the Wetaskiwin area. In 1909, a group of women met at the Wetaskiwin home of Mrs. Johnson-Sald for the purpose of organizing a society devoted to assisting the hospital's finances. Mrs. Johnson-Sald was appointed the first chairman and Mrs. G. Sanden the first president of the newly formed Scandinavian Hospital Aid Society. Though the hospital would be taken over by the City of Wetaskiwin in 1912 and renamed Community Hospital, the Scandinavian Hospital Aid Society maintained its connection with the hospital and raised money to assist in the purchase and maintenance of furnishings, linens and other amenities. In 1932, a new hospital was built, and as this hospital was adequately funded through taxes and provincial grants, the Scandinavian Hospital Aid Society severed its ties to the hospital and renamed itself the Scandinavian Welfare Society and devoted itself to aiding disadvantaged members of the Wetaskiwin community. Instead of financing the hospital, society members raised money to buy milk, diapers, and other amenities for disadvantaged local residents, visited and aided the ill, both in their homes and in the hospital, and participated in other charitable acts in the Wetaskiwin area. Both societies met monthly and money was raised through fundraising drives, private donations, members dues, and special group activities such as an annual bazaar, auctions and community dinners. The Scandinavian Welfare Society ceased functioning as a charitable organization in 1988 but continued meeting socially on the group's anniversary and at Christmas.