100 People Who Share Bruce County donates $10,000 to Huron Shores Hospice

The 100 People Who Share Bruce County now has 104 members, and has decided that its second donation of $10,000 will go to Huron Shores Hospice.

The group met last night (July 24) at Ainsdale Golf Course, south of Kincardine on Highway 21, to hear from the Women's  House Serving Bruce and Grey which received the first donation in April, and to listen to presentations from three groups nominated for the second donation of the year.

Bill Pike, who chaired the meeting, said that when he and his wife, Sharon, formed this group six months ago, on Jan. 24, they hoped they would eventually have 100 members. At the first meeting, there were 87. Last night, they registered 104 members.

"This is so exciting," said Pike. "In 60 minutes, this group will make a major difference through a donation of more than $10,000."

He thanked the sponsors, Molson's, Progressive Results Group, Ainsdale Golf Course, Larsen and Shaw, Kim Lamb and Bruce Power.

First off, Pike welcomed the recipients of the $8,700 donation in April - Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey.

Lisa Owen, interim executive director, and board member Lori Harding thanked the group for the generous donation.

"With that money, we have expanded our programming, particularly the Second-Stage Housing, the Child Witness program and our Outreach Counselling program, for which we receive little or no government funding," said Owen.

"Your support has made such a difference," said Harding. "Without your donation, we couldn't continue these programs and services for women and children who need help."

Next on the agenda, Pike announced the three randomly-drawn selections for the July donation: Bruce Botanical Food Gardens (BBFG), the Kincardine Cheetahs, and Huron Shores Hospice.

Sher Brown of the food gardens board of directors, said the BBFG started in 2011 on property in Ripley, donated by Huron-Kinloss Township. It is operated by executive director Lynne Taylor, with the help of two part-time summer students.

The donated funds would be used toward the operational costs of maintaining and developing new programs, addressing the issues of food insecurity, sustainable agriculture, and isses faced by the small family farm. The mandate of the garden is to showcase heirloom, very rare, endangered and world food plants, helping to determine varieties that would grow well in the area.

It is an agri-tourism site, hosting thousands of visitors, especially in the past two years. It is a teaching and learning space for visitors and area residents, providing information on healthy eating, local food and sustainable agriculture. It is a Living Marketplace, which means anyone can come and pick the produce, in season. This is especially important, given the rising cost of groceries and the increased food insecurity of many residents, including many children and seniors.

Jennifer Cook spoke about the Cheetahs which is a group started by Karen Jacques' two sons because they wanted to stay active and physically fit.

The youth run obstacle courses and would use the funding to host races in the area. In fact, the Cheetahs are hosting a race, Sunday, Aug. 20, in Macpherson Park, Kincardine, for children, ages 12 and under. The group practises at the Davidson Centre track and Macpherson Park.

Cheryl Cottrill spoke about the importance of bringing a residential hospice to the Kincardine area. On the recommendation of local physicians, the steering committee decided its goal would be to open a one-bed suite at Tiverton Park Manor, which has a price tag of $310,000 and no funding from the government.

"Residential hospice not only supports the person who is dying, but also the family and friends of that individual," said Cottrill. "Right now, we don't have many options in the area for hospice, other than an acute care bed in the hospital or the residential hospice in Owen Sound.

"Most people want to die with dignity, in the community where they live, with their loved ones around them. My father died of ALS and my mother-in-law and brother-in-law died of cancer. We cared for them as best we could, but I thought there has to be a better way to do this."

She said the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) has plans for a regional hospice in the Walkerton area, but Huron Shores Hospice believes there is an urgent need for one in Kincardine. The suite at Tiverton Park Manor would have a room for the patient and an adjoining room for the family, providing care 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

"We are at the $200,000 mark so we need another $105,000 to get started," said Cottrill. "We are holding a Handbags for Hospice event, Thursday, Sept. 28, from 6-9 p.m., at the Kincardine Pavilion, and we hope to raise enough money to open the suite in Tiverton by the end of this year."
 
In answer to questions, Cottrill said that a panel of three people, including Dr. Damian Gunaratne of the steering committee, as well as an area nurse, and a community member, would use a scale of palliative care and individual social situations to determine who needs the bed the most.

Once the members had voted, Pike announced the winner of the raffle for a Van Riemsdyk hockey sweater donated by Bruce Power - Jackie Hageraats; and a sports bag, donated by Kim Lamb - Jennifer Webb. The raffle raised $125.

And finally, Huron Shores Hospice was announced as the recipient of about $10,500.

The next meeting of the 100 People Who Share Bruce County will be Monday, Oct. 23, at Ainsdale Golf Course. For more information, check the website at: 100peoplewhoshare.ca/