Part of the Room Wrap sponsored by SaskTel

The Canadian Progress Club – Regina Centre’s ‘Room Wrap Project’ in the Pediatric Ward at Regina’s General Hospital is proof that some of life’s most powerful and positive outcomes are born during times of uncertainty.

“When Covid hit in 2020, our volunteer club was trying to think of other ways to raise funds for children's charities, which is the focus of the Canadian Progress Club,” said Jason Gasmo, who is a club member and chair of the Room Wrap Committee. “Our usual fundraisers, Gala of Hope and Plywood Cup, could not happen with all of the restrictions at the time, so we thought up the idea of wrapping children's rooms in fun themes.”

The idea illuminated the rooms in the Pediatric Ward like never before.

“The hospital had tried to decorate some of the rooms with random stickers here and there, and then we came up with the idea of wrapping the entire room in a kid friendly wrap, as we had the CEO of Sleek Signs as a member of our club,” said Jason. “They specialize in wrapping big things, like buses for example.”

Jason’s committee works with Sleek Signs who create the room designs suggested by corporate sponsors, who provide their sponsorship and suggest themes they would like to represent in their room.

“Once the design has been sorted, we then take our design concept to the Hospitals of Regina Foundation who coordinate logistics and approvals with the General Hospital,” said Jason. “Once everything is approved, Sleek Signs does the room wrap installation.”

SaskTel is a sponsor for one of the wrapped rooms.

"SaskTel is proud to support an initiative that helps to create a positive atmosphere for sick kids during their stay in the hospital," said Janine McKee, Senior Clerical Associate, Corporate Communications.

While there has been significant progress made at the hospital, Jason says there’s more work to be done.

“We have wrapped 8 rooms so far, thanks to generous community sponsors like SaskTel,” said Jason. “There are currently 9 more rooms that can be wrapped.”

The wraps that are in place have gone a long way in helping make the hospital more hospitable.

You could say the reaction to the wraps has been animated!

“The staff from the unit tell us how much they appreciate the kid friendly themes on the walls,” said Jason. The kids have commented that it is fun to imagine being part of the room, instead of staring at blank white hospital rooms. It has been very positive. It creates a much nicer environment for the kids to be in.”