Sometimes things happen so fast that a family doesn’t even have time to go home because their loved one needs end of life care immediately.
When that happens, it’s donations – everything from specialty mattresses to toiletries -- that allow the Delta Hospice Society to be prepared.
“It’s true that the little things that can add up to be big ones and can help by becoming a gift of time for families to be with their loved one,” says Delta Hospice Society director of operations Sarah Macey. “Sometimes that can make all the difference in the world knowing that they were able to be with them as much as possible.”
Macey says most people aren’t aware of the scope of donations the society receives on a regular basis.
“All donations that we receive are put to work to help our community’s families, whether they are needing the hospice directly, or are dealing with a sudden death from suicide or overdose,” says Macey. “Our facilities and dedicated staff are here to help.”
Two organizations that consistently go out of their way to help Delta Hospice are Open Space Yoga and Cedar Park Church.
In November, Open Space hosted its 11th annual Shopping Day for Hospice where 20 per cent of all sales are donated. The event raised more than $3,160.
In December, Cedar Park Church held its ninth annual Music and Dessert fundraising evening in which more than $10,000 was raised.
“This is the second year our funds were directed to something very specific,” says Roy Salmond, one of the event organizers. “Last year the monies were directed towards a care aide position at the Irene Thomas Hospice and this year we designated funds from the event to the purchase of six low air loss mattresses.”
Brad Funk says the goal was $10,000 and they exceeded that.
“We are very blessed as a community to have the Delta Hospice caring for so many of us at such a vulnerable and emotional time of our lives. It brings us great joy to be able partner with the hospice in this way,” says Funk.
During the past nine years, Cedar Park has gifted the society $65,000.
“This community and this church offer such a vital piece of support to us,” says Delta Hospice executive director Nancy Macey.
The Delta Hospice Society operates the Irene Thomas Hospice and the Harold & Veronica Savage Centre for Supportive Care in Ladner. The centre offers complimentary counselling and bereavement programs for children, teens, individuals and families.
For more information about these programs and services, call 604-948-0660 or visit www.deltahospice.org.
