Vulcan Community Health Centre’s Palliative Care Project.

Back Row: Brenda Ingraham, R.N., Nursing Educator, VCHC, Charlene Shearer, Vulcan Kinette Club, David Lyons, Vulcan Kinsmen Club, Paulette Wagenvoort, Site Manager, VCHC

Front Row: Laurie Mehlhaff, R.N., Home Care, Stewart Surman, Lynn Surman, Kelly Bowers, R.N., VCHC.

Receiving a life-altering medical diagnosis changes everything. It reshapes time, sharpens meaning, and brings into focus what truly matters.

Years ago, a gentleman from the UK met a woman from Vulcan County. Through a whirlwind of chance and connection, they set the course for a shared future, one that would eventually bring him across an ocean to make Canada, and Vulcan County, his home.

In choosing this community, he didn’t simply arrive; he became part of it. Over the years, he wove himself into the fabric of local life, spinning records at community gatherings, filling rooms with familiar melodies, good vibrations, and the unmistakable joy that music brings. His gift was not just sound, but connection.

This past year has not been easy for him or his bride. With uncertainty ahead, a quiet but powerful desire took hold: to do one more show, for the people, the place, and the music that had shaped his life. A New Year’s Eve dance, filled with the unforgettable sounds of the ’70s and ’80s, felt like the perfect way to honour the past while welcoming whatever came next.

With the loving support of his wife, Lynn, and the steadfast encouragement of his brothers and sisters from the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Vulcan, that vision became reality. On December 31, 2025, the Vulcan Legion came alive. One hundred and twenty-five people gathered to ring in 2026, not just with dancing and laughter, but with gratitude for life itself.

With a heart as big as an ’80s hairdo, Stewart Surman and his Kinsmen and Kinette family donated the proceeds of $ 9,314.94 from that magical night to the Palliative Care Project Committee, ensuring that others, in their most vulnerable moments, would be met with comfort, dignity, and care.

From this night, and from these warm memories, a message rings clear and true:
We are better together. Real communities take care of one another, through every track, every season, and every chapter of life.

Thank you, Stewart and Lynn, Surman, and thank you to the Kinsmen and Kinette Club of Vulcan, for your generosity, your compassion, and for reminding us all what a beautiful symphony a caring community can create.

Creating a Room to Live In… Click for the Newsletter.

To everyone that purchased a ticket and supported this event supporting the Vulcan Community Health Centre . Staff and Committee. Thank you to all the bidders and buyers of the live and silent auctions. You raised $30,696.00 toward this project

Additionally, cash donations were made by.

McMorris Ranches Ltd.  $2500.00

Northwest Coating Inc. $200.00

Brenda and Doug McIntyre $200.00

Pioneer Farms Ltd. $500.00

Ralph Umscheid Farms Ltd. $400.00

Carol Steiner $200.00

Nadine Bexte $5000.00

Kinette Club of Vulcan $5000.00

Totaling $14,000.00 

Total dollars raised: $44,696.00

If you would like to donate to this project, contact Gail at 403-485-4001

From all of us here at your Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation, thank you for your generous and continued support.

VCHC Palliative Care Committee and Vulcan Community Health Centre Staff

VCHWF Trustees and Volunteers of the Fundraising Committee

Delude Design and Drafting – Champion

McInenly Auction Ltd., Stacey and Crew

SideNote Trio, Musical Entertainment

Roadside Grill Catering

Vulcan Kinettes, supporting ticket sales and event volunteers

Joelle Reimer, Emcee from The Eagle 100.9

Foothills Auctioneers Inc.

Smashing Weddings and Events, Ashley Jacobsen

Sarah Umscheid, Floral

Nine in a line: Brewing, Dan Anderson and team

Friends of Vulcan County Emergency Servies Society, Diane Smith and Jessi Dick, Tiffany Wyatt and Leanne Sydenham

Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation Fundraising Committee:

Hugh Campbell, Shilo Andrews-Brauer, Cindy Andrews, Darian Ashbacher

Ashbacher Land and Cattle-Arrowwood

Campbell Farms Ltd. -Vulcan

Ron and Jean Forhmzway-Vulcan

Janice Povey – Champion

George Andrews-Vulcan

Lie Low Music Festival

>Markert Seeds Ltd. – Vulcan

Marvin Maronda Fairview Ranch Ltd. -Lomond

Sylvia Hunter- Foothills County

Highview Animal Clinic- High River

Carey Insurance Agency – Vulcan

Jim and Cathie McNiven- Vulcan

Brant Lake Cattle Corporation – Michelle Ball

Glen Hutton – Vulcan

Elon & Karen Maronda and Family -Lomond

Vulcan County- Vulcan

RA West International – Vulcan 

Napa Vulcan – Vulcan

P&H Mossleigh

Sarini Fine Jewellery – Vulcan

Long Coulee Growers- Champion

Char & Bob Fisher and Nadine & Bruce Bungay

Brandt Tractor – Vulcan

Alberta AG Centre – High River

Gail Wark – Vulcan

Arrowwood Co-op – Arrowood

Market Street Vulcan

Randles Handles – High River

Flowers and Fancies – Vulcan

Foxworks Construction-Vulcan

Mind Meld Massage – Vulcan

Cattlemens Chophouse – Picture Butte

Larry Umscheid – Vulcan

Western Financial- Vulcan

Green Haven Garden Centre – Lethbridge

Salty Clothing Company-Lethbridge

Impact Impressions – Vulcan

Dan Anderson

Nine in a Line Brewing Company

Lorelei and David Bexte – Arrowwood

Wisener Holdings Ltd. – Vulcan

Town of Vulcan

Nanton Veterinary Clinic – Nanton

Kona Fitness -Vulcan

Linda and Fred Pratt – Vulcan

Vulcan Golf and Country Club – Vulcan

Ashbacher Land and Cattle – Arrowwood

Stokes Massage Therapy – Vulcan

Paulette Wagenvoort – Champion

Latinium Loonie – Vulcan

Wayne Richmond – Vulcan