Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Local first responders and hospital staff were treated to a surprise donation of BioSteel Hydration Mix recently courtesy of Napanee teen Sierra Punchard.
The 15-year-old reached out to BioSteel on behalf of Greater Napanee Emergency Services fire department, Lennox and Addington EMS and OPP, as well as Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. She successfully nominated the four local emergency workers and healthcare staff to receive donations of the hydration mix, part of a $2 million pledge by the company to support hospitals and first responders across Canada and the U.S. with free product.
“We follow (BioSteel) because we do sports, it’s a low in sugar, hydration mix,” Punchard said of how she heard about the promotion.
Supporting first responders is a cause near to her, as both her parents are members of the GNES fire department. As such, their family has many friends in EMS, OPP and the Picton hospital.
“Picton’s hospital in PEC is a smaller hospital so they don’t usually get thought of,” Punchard said as to why she included them in her nomination. “We have a really good friend that’s a nurse over there so that’s why I thought of them and upon reaching out to BioSteel I asked if they were looking to donate to other places too because I have first responders as parents and we have friends at OPP and L&A County paramedics.”
All told BioSteel shipped enough product for over 200 workers across the local stations and PEC hospital.
GNES fire fighters Dean Martin and randy Cook with some of the donated hydration mix. Submitted photo.
Punchard says knowing what her parents and other first responders go through, the drink is a great way for busy staff to quickly rehydrate when working a long shift.
Punchard says she’s also been trying to spread the word about BioSteel’s offer in the hopes more locals will get nominated.
“We got news that someone from the hospital in Napanee had contacted BioSteel after we told the mayor (Marg Isbester) about it. They actually got donations too,” added Punchard. “We’re trying to pass the message to pass it on to other people. My parents have lots of friends from different work events that are firefighters from other districts.”