A celebration fundraiser is being planned to help out Castlegar Hospice and say thank you to health care workers across the region.
The event will be held on Thursday, July 30 between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the open air of 3rd Street in downtown Castlegar, which will be partially closed for the occasion. It will feature a walking fashion show, prizes, games and treats all for a good cause. It will also be the last chance to buy tickets for Hospice’s raffle featuring three cash prizes — $500, $1000 and $2000.
West’s Department Store is organizing the event and several other local businesses including The Humble Bean, Mother Nature’s, Yes Please, Central City Shoes, Sculpturewalk, Nydia’s Bong Shop, Maggies Mug, Pharmasave, Wandering Greek Oven, Undercover Secrets and Mitchell’s Supply are also pitching in.
Organizers are asking visitors to wear face masks, mind social distancing rules and utilize the hand sanitizer that will be readily available.
Like so many other non-profits, the Castlegar Hospice Society has seen a huge drop in revenue due to COVID-19. Two of the agency’s annual fundraisers — a golf tournament and fashion show gala — had to be cancelled.
“The Castlegar Hospice team has been working throughout the pandemic as best we can to provide the essential health services in palliative and grief care,” said hospice executive director Suzanne Lehbauer.
“Our hearts will forever weigh heavy with what we were not able to do and the people whose sides we were not able to be by.”
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Lehbauer is excited that hospice workers are now able to support clients face to face, as long as they meet outside, observe social distancing and workers are in full protective gear.
By the end of the month, Lehbauer says clients will be allowed back in the office, but it will be strictly by appointment only and specific days a week so risk is minimized.
“The hard working hospice team as well as our fellow health care workers are standing strong to continue to serve all members of our community.
“We thank everyone for their support and are grateful to West’s for putting on what will be a fun-filled way to spend a few hours, do some shopping and support and say thank you to hospice and all health care workers,” said Lehbauer.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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