Castlegar Hospice Society launched its annual Celebrate a Life fundraising campaign last week.
The campaign is about more than just money, it’s also a way for people to spend a few moments remembering a lost loved one.
Celebrate a Life is set up at the Super 8 Hotel. It features a cozy holiday scene with several memorial trees, including one just for pets.
Visitors are encouraged to pick up a gift tag and fill it out in memory of a loved one and then place it on one of the trees. There is no cost for the tags, but donations can be left at the hotel desk.
As an essential service, Castlegar Hospice has been in operation throughout the pandemic, but has had to constantly adapt to changing regulations.
“The need, especially for grief support has skyrocketed,” says hospice director Suzanne Lehbauer.
“Although the need for our services rose, the minimal funding we receive from the health authority did not increase and with limitations still on many fundraisers, we continue to struggle to maintain the services we provide.”
Donations made to the Castlegar Hospice Society go towards providing palliative care for those living with a life-threatening condition, support for families, grief and bereavement support, the professional training and on-going education of volunteer support workers, community workshops and the long-term goal of establishing a regional hospice centre.
If you would like to donate to Castlegar Hospice and can’t make it to Celebrate a Life, donations can be made directly to the society on their website or by mail to Castlegar Hospice Society #20A 709 10th Street Castlegar, B.C. V1N 2H7.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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