Nipissing Serenity Hospice has plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend, as people once again laced up their shoes for its annual Hike for Hospice fundraiser and barbecue.
The goal this year was $75,000, and thanks to the many donors, sponsors, and volunteers, it surpassed its fundraising target.
“We were working hard to get to that goal, and things just exploded, and at my last check going into today’s hike, we’re almost at $103 thousand,” stated executive director Gil Pharand.
“The most we ever raised from Hike was $80 thousand and that was in 2018. It is quite amazing. Since opening our doors in 2020, we have served more than 450 residents, their caregivers, and families.”
Money raised goes towards operations.
“We have to fund our operations; we have to raise almost $800,000 a year. Hike for Hospice, being one of our signature events it is important for us to be able to utilize those funds to keep everything going, how it should be,” explained Pharand.
Nipissing Serenity Hospice is a 10-bed, bilingual, residential hospice located in North Bay.
It proudly offers a “peaceful, caring and supportive environment” in a 24-hour nursing care setting for people of all ages at the end of life.
Its core values are compassion, comfort, dignity, and inclusion.
This year’s theme was “Honouring our Residents.”
Ambassador, Barb Spencer expressed her gratitude for the respect, care, and compassion shown to her sister Trish who was transferred from an out-of-town hospital.
Trish knew she was losing her battle with cancer and wanted to come back home to North Bay.
The palliative wing in the hospital where Trish was a patient, was in the basement.
“Trish arrived on Saturday, December 2, and was greeted by the incredible staff at the Hospice. No basement, no darkness, just a beautiful suite with large windows and a peaceful atmosphere,” shared Spencer who added “For the next eight days my sister was treated like she was the most important person in the building. The staff and volunteers could not do enough for her and my family. Anything she needed or wanted; they would provide.”
Visitors came and went.
“Although difficult, it was the most beautiful experience. It was so calm and peaceful and serene. She passed peacefully with all of us present. The staff, again, was so kind. They shared our grief while respecting our privacy,” said Spencer.
“They had developed a relationship with her. The biggest difference to me, they were not waiting for her to die, they were helping her enjoy her final days. That’s what hospice means to me.”
Title sponsor, Degagne Group of Companies raised $15-thousand.
Hike for Hospice is a hybrid event.
People unable to attend Friday’s in-person event, are encouraged to gather friends and family on the holiday weekend, for a hike or walk around their own community, wherever that may be, at any point during Thanksgiving weekend.
Donations can still be collected online by going to nipissingserenityhospice.ca
