Santa makes the visit each year on behalf of Variety – The Children’s Charity, major donors to the Maternity Centre’s Variety Club Special Care Nursery.  Santa will be giving out stuffed animals and blankets to children and parents in the centre.

Dal Richards, world-renowned band leader and Ambassador-at-Large for Variety – The Children’s Charity, has been visiting St. Paul’s Hospital for over 10 years. His friends from Variety will also be there to give out “Gold Heart Pins.”

St. Paul’s Hospital is part of Providence Health Care, Canada’s largest Catholic health care organization.

Event:             Santa Claus Visits Maternity Centre

Time:              11 a.m.

Date:               Wednesday, December 15, 2003

Place:             St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street

Media are invited -- If you are attending this event, please check in at the information desk on the main floor of the Burrard building at 10:45 a.m.

Contact:            Justin Karasick                                                     

                            Providence Health Care Communications

                            Tel. 604-806-8022       Pager: 604-667-4397