Donation leads to installation of wind phone at hospice

Attending the unveiling of the Wind Phone were Bill Stephens, Volunteer Chair with VON Oxford Community Corporation, Bill Vink, Janine Jackson, Manager of Home & Community Care at VON Sakura House, and Brittany Bratt, Manager of Fund Development for VON Oxford & VON Sakura House. (Ron Yuzark Photo)

Ron Yuzark, Echo Correspondent

On Thursday May 21, VON Sakura House was pleased to unveil the Bill and Corrie Vink Wind Phone. Bill Vink and his late wife Corrie generously donated $200,000 in support of end-of-life care at VON Sakura House and made the wind phone a reality in Oxford County.

Bill noted that supporting one’s community is a value both he and Corrie shared. A wind phone is an unconnected telephone that provides a quiet, symbolic space for people to “call” their loved ones who have passed. The conversations remain private and allow a space for reflection. Wind phones originated in Japan and became a global symbol of remembrance and healing following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Since then, wind phones have begun popping up globally with over 120 existing in Canada. The Bill and Corrie Vink Wind Phone can be found in the back gardens at VON Sakura House.

“The generosity from Bill and Corrie allow us to continue to ensure that end-of-life care is available for those who need it at absolutely no cost to the patients or their family” said Brittany Bratt, Manager of Fund Development, VON Oxford & VON Sakura House. “The wind phone is a symbol of the continuum of care that we offer at VON through our programs and services.”

VON Sakura House opened its doors in September 2009 and since then has supported over 3500 patients and their families through the end-of-life journey. For access to supportive care programs, please contact the program coordinator at 519-539-1231 ext. 6299 or email oxford.griefsupport@von.ca.