During the severe winter storm on the evening of January 13, Stewart Valley School Principal, Jared Wipf was contacted and informed that an ambulance (with two EMTs and one nurse) had pulled into Stewart Valley as they were unable to continue travelling. He immediately granted them access to the school to safely wait out the storm and called the school’s Facility Operator, Trudy Skerten, to see if she could walk over from her nearby home to unlock the school. Trudy was happy to help.
After a few instructions on designated spaces and necessary cleaning, Trudy was suited up and trudging through the wind and snow toward the school. When she arrived, another vehicle with two occupants was there, as they followed the ambulance seeking refuge from the storm. They were all given access into the school to stay in the attached community centre. The storm continued to worsen, making safe travel that night impossible.
Trudy then went well beyond the call of duty. She returned home to retrieve bedding as there was nothing at the school that would suffice, and she provided her iPad so they could watch a movie. Early the following morning, she returned with breakfast! It was important to Trudy that these 'guests' were as safe and comfortable as possible.
This is only one example of Trudy's kindness and desire to help others and Stewart Valley School sure is lucky to have her. Thank you, Trudy, for helping to make Chinook Rock!
