February 1, 2022

Couple Help the Next Generation of Saskatchewan Kids and Families with their Legacy Gift

Children and families across Saskatchewan will benefit from the kindness and forethought of Legacy Builders, Donna and Steve Kraus.

Meeting at a dance years ago, Donna and Steve shared a life together in Vancouver. They worked hard, cared about their community, and loved to dance. After spending wonderful winters in Yuma, Arizona, retirement brought them back to Saskatchewan to be closer to family. It was their wish to help the people of our province and generously included three Saskatchewan charities in their estate planning.

Their generous bequest of $450,000, to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, will help transform the future of specialized health care for moms-to-be and children in every corner of our province. “Auntie Donna couldn’t have children of her own, but she and Uncle Steve cared for family and they had a vision to help the future families of Saskatchewan,” said their nephew, Sheldon Kraus.

The Kraus’ incredible gift of hope will support ongoing urgent needs for moms-to-be and children in hospital, in addition to innovative technology, family-centred programming, and ground-breaking research. 

“Their compassionate decision to leave a legacy gift will both impact families today and in the future,” said Laura Gawletz, Philanthropy Manager of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. 

The couple also shared their philanthropic spirit equally with two additional Saskatchewan health organizations: Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation and TeleMiracle.

Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation is proud to recognize Donna and Steve Kraus and their legacy gift, by naming two private patient rooms within Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in their memory. The first, a maternal patient room, located within the Mosaic Maternal Care Centre, which provides single room maternal care, designed for moms-to-be to labour, birth, and stay with their new-born in the same room. The second, a patient room, within Pediatric Inpatients, which provides care to children of all ages requiring an overnight stay at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. Each maternal and child’s patient room is designed with family-centred care at the forefront with additional space for a parent or caregiver to stay close by providing vital comfort anytime, day or night.

“A legacy gift for Saskatchewan children can change lives today. Donna and Steve’s incredible contribution to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation will support high-priority maternal and children’s health care. They recognized that our youngest patients require specialized care for their unique needs which will impact, save lives, and inspire families for years to come,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Learn more about leaving a legacy for little lives as a Legacy Builder with Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation or contact Laura Gawletz, Philanthropy Manager at 306.931.4887.