Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth underscores the life-changing impact of giving

Pictured from left to right are Nikki Gibson, Cam Gibson, Mya Gibson, Macy Gibson and Mike Gibson. The Gibson family donated $50 from raising money at Mya’s sixth birthday party after her grandfather was admitted in the hospice and passed away three days later. “The Hospice provided a very exceptional job of taking over the caregiving load so we could spend more time with my father in-law. It was a beautiful experience at such a tough time in our life,” said Nikki Gibson.

After the successful February monthly giving campaign, Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth is hoping to continue the donation momentum. 

Donation results are still being counted after The Hospice Hearts Monthly Giving Challenge, a new initiative partnered with Quadro Communications Co-operative Inc., which matches donations up to a maximum of $25,000 for the year.

Lucie Stuart, director of fund development and stewardship, said running this monthly giving campaign has given the hospice new donors who have never donated before. It helps with operating costs of $90,000 the hospice must raise monthly as the Ontario Ministry of Health only covers for 50 per cent of total operating costs. 

Stuart reported the hospice saw 25 new donors last month due to the campaign. As a new initiative, the hospice plans to generate community awareness through future programming and events to demonstrate the organization’s values and goals.

“We want people to come in for tours because they will realize that it’s not such a scary place, it’s an environment that’s warm and welcoming and everybody is taken care of, not just the individuals in the bed,” said Stuart.  

“Doing this campaign has given us another reason to reach out to the community. The more people know the hospice is here when they are in that crisis, they will know to reach out here or talk to their doctor that this is an option for end-of-life care.” 

Prior to accepting her current position as marketing and communications coordinator at Rotary hospice, Pippa Elliot was freelancing when she and her family brought her grandmother to the facility for care in her final days. 

“Since working here, after having that personal experience, it's all so meaningful to me and my family. I'm proud to be part of this and it’s so important,” said Elliot. “People deserve to die a good death and it all was aligned with me to end up working here. 

“The support my mother received after my grandma died was beautiful. It wasn't just caring for grandma while she was there, it was the support we all received and visiting her here rather than a hospital made all the difference. It was a no-brainer for me when this opportunity came up; I’m proud and grateful to be part of it.”

While there are only eight rooms inside the hospice, Stuart said a $30 donation a month pays for one day of care over the course of the year for one resident room and elaborates that the hospice is far from the dark and gloomy place it’s been perceived to be. 

Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth is focused on community engagement and encourages everyone to see what the hospice has to offer.