May 28, 2020
Stan Burkholder, board chair with the Fairview Health Complex Foundation, has volunteered with the foundation for the past 25 years. Born and raised in Fairview, Stan is a community volunteer who prides himself on giving back to his community.
Story by Amelia Schofield | Photo by Leah Hennel
FAIRVIEW — Alberta Health Services (AHS) recognizes May as Health Philanthropy Month. Throughout the month, we’ll be celebrating the foundations and auxiliaries who raise funds for healthcare across the province.
The Faces of the Foundations profile series will introduce you to the individuals who lead healthcare philanthropy across Alberta. This week, we’re pleased to profile Stan Burkholder, board chair with Fairview Health Complex Foundation.
Why did you get involved with the Fairview Health Complex Foundation?
I’m bred, born and raised in this community. My dad said, “if you want to get something out of life, you need to put something into it” — so I started volunteering at a young age. I began with volunteering with my church, and in my early 20s, started volunteering with other organizations in the community.
I’ve always been one who believes in the village style of living where everyone has something to contribute, and volunteering is a big part of that. So after serving as Reeve of the Municipal District of Fairview, I became involved with the foundation.
I was elected on council for nine years, and when my last term was up in the fall of 1995, the existing chair of the foundation asked if I would consider taking over the foundation. I’ve been involved ever since.
Why is healthcare philanthropy important to you?
I’m someone who likes to encourage and inspire others, and with my role with the foundation, I feel like I’m able to encourage those working at the hospital while inspiring the community to support them in the important work that they do.
Tell me about some of the foundation’s recent accomplishments.
One of our most recent accomplishments was collaborating with the Fairview and Area Palliative Care Society to purchase double beds for all three palliative care rooms at the Fairview Health Complex.
We also recently made a major donation toward the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie to support new services at the hospital. Our contribution will help our community members access these services closer to home, rather than needing to travel to Edmonton.
How can Albertans support the foundation?
To learn more about the foundation, we have a marketing board up at the Fairview Health Complex and people who wish to donate can do so here.
