Windsor Hospice Celebrates 35 years

BY: JEREMY JAMES FOKUOH
NOV. 7/2014

The Hospice of Windsor & Essex County celebrated 35 years of Hospice by hosting their annual gala at the Giovanni Caboto Club on Oct. 17.

Since opening in 1979, the Hospice has regarded their gala to be their biggest fundraiser of the year. For $125 per ticket, over 1,000 people attend the special event each year. Starting off as a fashion show, the gala has transformed over the years to become a formal dinner with cocktails and music entertainment. Through donations, sponsorships and partners, the gala has been very successful, this year being their most successful yet.

Fr. Matthew Durham has been working at Hospice for the last three years as a director in community engagement and advancement.

“It’s the most successful to date,” said Durham. “This year we are projecting $200, 000.”

Hospice has 37 sponsors, each donating over $25,000 each. Companies such as Magna, Rexall, the Windsor Star, The Basilian Fathers and TV Cogeco have been beneficial to Hospice and their fundraisers.

Community engagement and events specialist Laura Lemmon has been in charge of the gala for the last three years.

“It’s very fun. It’s a lot of work but we have a great team,” said Lemmon. “All of the money goes to Hospice to run programs, services and it helps with our fundraising goal because we aren’t fully government funded. We look to raise $1.7 million each year to keep our services at no cost for the residents.”

Since being brought to Canada from England in 1979, the Hospice has provided assistance to anyone with a life-altering diagnosis. This includes a diagnosis of cancer, AIDS, ALS, and other illnesses. The Hospice is a non-profit agency serving all of Windsor and Essex County. With 47 staff members and over 700 active volunteers, Hospice provides their patients with medical support, counselling, residency and programs. These programs include yoga, scrapbooking, knitting, gentle exercise, tai chi, pet therapy, etc.

“We hear from both our patients and our families that they’re grateful that Hospice is there when they need it,” said Durham. “It’s available at no cost. Nothing at our agency cost patients or families anything. Our patients and family members are so grateful to our donors and to our supporters. By their donations we are able provide these services free of charge.”

Hospice will be hosting their next event on Dec. 27-29. Their annual Hockey for Hospice tournament raises both money and awareness in the Windsor community. Future fundraisers will also include their Favor the Sea seafood dinner and the Face to Face awareness fundraiser in early 2015.