A recent Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw board meeting welcomed two additional board members, several more donations to their $1 million Capital Campaign, and the timeline of events into 2024.
Heartland Hospice was founded in 2014 to increase the number of dedicated hospice beds at Pioneer Lodge on Albert St. They have built one bed so far, and have received approval from the Saskatchewa Health Authority (SHA) to move ahead with a complete hospice wing renovation at Pioneer Lodge:
- Three dedicated hospice-palliative bedrooms;
- A family resource centre with reading materials and activities for children;
- A sacred space for the use of the whole facility;
- A dedicated family entrance separate from the long-term care section;
- A serenity garden, upon which much work has already been completed, and;
- Essential palliative care training for hospice staff.
Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw (HHMJ) launched their Capital Campaign for $1 million to complete the renovations during their annual Gala in May 2022.
“We scaled back our activities in the summer and took two months off from scheduled board meetings, but it was still a very busy and exciting few months for Heartland Hospice,” said Sara Bryan, vice-chair of the non-profit’s board.
“Over the summer we received two large donations — an anonymous donation of $30,000 from Ontario, and $25,000 from a new Family Room sponsor, whom we will announce in November. We also were blessed to receive donations in loving memory of Tammy Crone and Dolores Exner, and a donation from Grant Hall Hotel from the proceeds of their art exhibit and sale during Sidewalk Days.”
Bryan said the organization’s capital campaign fund is now sitting at approximately $750,000. Even more exciting, the hospice wing renovation project went out for tender and has recently closed — the board are now awaiting SHA selection of a contractor and an update on a timeline for construction.
Two new members added to Heartland Hospice board
The two new board members at Heartland Hospice are Connie Paul and Cari Evenson-Carleton.
Paul is a retired registered nurse who spent 37 years in that career. She joined the board in memory of family and friends lost to cancer and is a cancer survivor herself.
Evenson-Carleton is an Advanced Care Paramedic with a Community Paramedic endorsement. She brings 17 years of experience in health care and a strong commitment to patient safety and advocacy. Evenson-Carleton was inspired to join by the loss of her father to cancer in 2022. Having helped her father fulfill his wish of passing at home by providing his end-of-life care, she has a deep appreciation of the importance of hospice and palliative care.
Two HHMJ board members attended the SHA Foundation Forum on Sept. 30.
Other summer activities in support of hospice care
“We also presented Jim, Sandi, and Cailean Connolly with their limited edition giclee reproduction of Yvette Moore’s ‘Petals of Hope’ in recognition of their $25,684 donation to the Family Room,” Bryan said.
The Connolly family’s name will be hung in a stained-glass piece made by a local artisan in the hospice Family Room once it is built.
HHMJ is currently seeking bids from local artisans to create donor recognition signage for the hospice. Interested artisans are invited to contact CapitalCampaign@hhmj.ca.
“A wonderful group of community volunteers worked on our Serenity Garden from late May through early October,” Bryan said, “and without them, the beautiful tranquil space where both patients and their families can enjoy nature’s therapeutic effects would not be possible. We also want to thank Marcy Duffey of Keon Garden Centre for the donation of so many wonderful flowers and shrubs. And, of course, the Serenity Garden's sponsors, Rob and Margaret Rigetti.”
HHMJ held its second annual Heartlights Memorial on Aug. 30, National Grief Awareness Day, in the Serenity Garden at Pioneer Lodge. The occasion is a solemn, spiritual gathering to honour the memories of those served to date in the Heartland Hospice Room, those who worked as caregivers for their needs, and their grieving family members. It is also a safe space for anyone to attend who is experiencing grief and loss.
Upcoming HHMJ events for 2023/24
- October 2023 — direct mail donor campaign.
- November 2023 — A ‘Giving Tuesday’ online 50/50 raffle will run from November 13 to 28. Tickets will be available at www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/givingtuesday.
- November 25, 2023 — SK Hospice Palliative Care Associaton free seminar to encourage hospice palliative care discussions, education, and resource sharing with rural communities in Saskatchewan.
- December 2023 — Light Up The Lodge Xmas fundraising drive.
- February 8, 2024 — Trivia Night (tentative).
- March 6, 2024 — Mad Greek Rib Night Fundraiser.
- April 12, 2024 — 4th Annual Fundraising Gala, with a theme of 'Spurs and Stilettos'.
- Summer 2024 — Hospice Grand Opening! Date dependent on construction.
- August 29, 2024 — Heartlights 3rd Annual Memorial Ceremony.
“We are extremely grateful for all the individuals and businesses within the community of Moose Jaw who continue to support our efforts,” Bryan said. “We cannot change the outcome, but together we can affect the journey.”
Learn more about HHMJ, donate to their campaign, and access their hospice, palliative, grief, and other resources on their website at www.heartlandhospicemj.ca.
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