Mattieu Hamel (shown right) receives gift from Oliver Elks in the amount of $450 for a double hip replacement operation scheduled for later this year in Quebec.

Mattieu is 36 and presently an employee of Transwest Helicopters in Oliver as a painter. He has worked there for 3 years and has nothing but good things to say about his employers and fellow workers who have risen to the challenge of helping him.

Hamel came in contact with poison ivy about a year ago, went to a local doctor who prescribed prednisone.
For some reason his body reacted poorly to the medication and bone began to break down. A specialist was brought in and recommended hip replacements.

A GO FUND ME account was set up by friends to raise a lot of money.

GO FUND ME has raised $10745 and another $5000 would be helpful – this fund just one way of reaching his goal.

Hamel says relatives, friends and independent donors have been very helpful