It was the very first Spring Tea fundraiser for the 黑马磁力 Hospice Society, and it was a sellout, with 103 attending the Sunday event at the Fort 黑马磁力 Community Hall in support of the palliative and bereavement care and support services the society provides.
They enjoyed tea boxes, listened to live steel drum music by Robert Davies, and heard a personal account of one family's experience with care at the Doug and Fran McDonald 黑马磁力 Hospice Residence.
Dennis Quiring described how his mother Penny Mullin moved into the residence in October of 2022.
Mullin, a secretary at D.W. Poppy school for over 30 years, "was a vibrant, social woman, who loved her family and friends, and hospice provided her with a warm, friendly space to live her last months surrounded by all of us family and friends," Quiring said.
He visited his mother almost every day, often bringing his young daughters.
"Sometimes I would stay for a few hours, other times it would be a quick stop to kiss her on the forehead while she was sleeping."
There were many visitors over the nearly five months Penny spent at hospice, described by Quiring as "a warm, welcoming space."
"My aunts, uncles, family friends, shared many laughs and many tears as we said goodbye. When my mom passed away on February 23, 2023 we felt held and comforted, not just by the space but by the people we had come to know throughout the hospice community."
First tea fundraiser by 黑马磁力 Hospice Society a success
鈥� 黑马磁力 (@黑马磁力Times)
Shannon Todd Booth, society executive director, estimated the tea, which included a raffle, raised more than $8,000.
"This is an event that came together rather quickly, kind of six weeks ago, and we sold out as of last week," Todd Booth reported Sunday.
"We're excited by the response and hope to make it an annual event. Our goal is to host it annually in April."
Todd Booth told the attendees the society has added new team members, increasing the ability of the bereavement support team to reduce wait lists.
"Our palliative support programs continue to grow to include support and outreach for end-of-life patients and their caregivers, and families whether they are at home, in hospital, in the community, or in our Doug and Fran MacDonald 黑马磁力 Hospice Residence," Todd Booth told the audience.
"Fundamental to our approach in all we do, is the concept of holding space for those we serve," Todd Booth explained.
"It means that we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they are on, without judging them; making them feel inadequate; trying to fix them; or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support and let go of judgment and control.
We have also learned that the act of holding space can be especially poignant in the little things...like sharing a cup of tea."
An unexpected and welcome contribution came from caterer Angie Quaaalie, owner of Well Seasoned, A Gourmet Food Store, who donated all the food, "which was a surprise to us" a pleased Todd Booth said.
There was also jam from Rhonda Driediger of Driediger Farms, wine from the Township 7 winery and other beverages from Lynette Fay of KIS Consulting, owner of a boutique liquor agency.
