Our History

The Very Early Days

In 1908, when Calgary was a city of 20,000, the Women’s Hospital Society, the volunteer group for the General Hospital called a meeting of young girls over 16. The purpose of the meeting was to form an auxiliary to the Women’s Hospital Society, the parent society, to see to the needs of the Children’s Ward. The Women’s Hospital Society recruited eight volunteers to look after the Children’s Ward. These girls supplied beds, bedding, linoleum, dishes and homemade nightgowns. At the time, many doctors donated their time and volunteers performed basic care and comfort of patients.

In 1910, the girls’ group was incorporated as the Girl’s Hospital Aid Society. The girls raised money to support the Children’s Ward by holding bazaars, teas and selling violets.

In 1922, the Red Cross opened the Junior Red Cross Hospital at 522 18 Avenue S.W. It was the first children’s hospital in Canada. The Girl’s Hospital Aid Society’s purpose became to “relieve the physical wants and necessities of children in poor circumstances during sickness and convalescence.” Membership grew to 60.

By 1926, a number of members felt Girl’s Hospital Aid Society was no longer a suitable name as many members were now older and married. The members decided to change the name to Children’s Hospital Aid Society (CHAS) and so it remains to this day.

CHAS Through the Years

To learn more about CHAS' rich history and contributions to the community, please download the CHAS Historical Booklet which offers a glimpse into the evolution of CHAS and its tireless efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young adults in Calgary and surrounding areas.

CHAS Today

CHAS is a remarkable group of 75 women who have been tirelessly working to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults in Calgary and area for over 115 years. As a registered charity and a volunteer-based organization, CHAS has developed many successful fundraising projects for children, with all proceeds going towards supporting charities that benefit underprivileged children and young adults.

What makes CHAS unique is its unwavering commitment to its original mandate of Caring, Helping, Assisting, and Serving Calgary and area’s children and young adults. With no paid staff, CHAS' operating budget is supported by membership fees and fundraising efforts, and minimizing expenses is always a priority.

Despite having no permanent office, CHAS continues to make a significant impact, holding meetings in rented spaces in churches or in members’ homes. We are incredibly proud of our volunteers and the dedication and passion they bring to our mission of serving the community.

Fundraising Projects

CHAS has organized many successful fundraising projects. In 1945, they started selling stamps to raise money to build a new children's hospital, and the campaign became highly lucrative. After more than 10 years of running the campaign independently, CHAS partnered with Easter Seals Alberta. The groups’ longstanding association helped create a camp for the disabled in Bragg Creek. The camp is known today as Camp Horizon. Although the partnership for the stamp campaign came to an amiable end in 2000, CHAS maintains a strong relationship with Camp Horizon, supporting annual camperships and providing funds when needed. CHAS partnered with Easter Seals Alberta on the Woman2Warrior fundraiser from 2015 to 2017.

Annual Charity Golf Classic

For over 40 years, CHAS has been organizing an annual charity golf tournament as a fundraising event since 1982. Since its inception, CHAS has raised over $4.7 million for projects at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and other community charities. CHAS has received sustained support for its golf tournament from the Borger family for 29 years. Since 2010, CHAS has received enormous support from Rob and Joyce Laidlaw.

Funds have been applied to such needs as the Research Centre (1983 to 1986), hospital library, swimming pool, helipad, and specific diagnostic and treatment equipment. One of CHAS’ legacy projects with the Alberta Children’s Hospital was the purchase of a pediatric human patient simulator – also known as KidSIM. In recent years, CHAS has supported the hospital’s Brain Health Initiative through research and equipment purchases.

Annual Events

CHAS has introduced new events over the years that have become annual favourites. Since 1996, we have held an annual Bridge Luncheon that attracts avid bridge players from across the city. In 1999, we hosted our first Holiday Luncheon, auctioning off beautiful ceramic artwork. This event has grown in popularity over the years, taking on many different forms including a partnership with IKEA to auction artwork made from donated IKEA pieces.

We have also hosted several speakers’ dinners and brunches with headliners such as fashion designer Linda Lundström, Style at Home editor Lynda Reeves, and the British Consul General Tony Kay OBE. CHAS has also welcomed speakers from various fields, including science, nature, and business, such as Brian Keating and Chris Slubicki.

Volunteerism

In addition to our long-standing fundraising events, CHAS members also volunteer their time making lunches at Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids and dinners at Ronald McDonald House Charities, answering phones at the annual Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation Country 105 Caring for Kids Radiothon, hosting an annual Easter Party at the Alberta Children’s Hospital for patients and their families and hosting birthday parties at Inn from the Cold.

The contribution of the many dedicated members of CHAS over the past 115 years has made a significant difference in the lives of children in southern Alberta. We are proud of our reputation of being one of the most prudently managed and successful fundraising agencies in our community.

CHAS Next

In late 2016, CHAS Next, an ad hoc committee appointed by CHAS, was formed with the aim to raise awareness of CHAS within their generation. Comprised of women in their twenties and thirties, CHAS Next hosts fun and unique mini-fundraisers and events to support the CHAS mission of improving the lives of children and young adults in Calgary. Their dedication and innovation are an inspiration to us all.