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100 Women Who Care Dufferin group donates $10,500 to Bethell Hospice

February 15, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

Bethell Hospice Foundation in Inglewood will be greatly benefiting from the efforts of the 100 Women Who Care Dufferin chapter.

Gathering for their first meeting of the calendar year this Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Hockley Valley Resort, the ladies successfully raised a total of $10,500 in just one hour.

Participants were able to nominate an organization ahead of time, with the top three nominators given five minutes to pitch to those in attendance, and each participant pledged to contribute $100.

Gillian Vanderburgh, a volunteer with Bethell, told the ladies how she became involved with the hospice. “I found my way to Bethell having had first-hand experience caring for a family member in my home, for a period of six months, the last six months of her life.”

Eventually they were fortunate that a bed became available at the hospice. “What that meant for us was that we could hand over the responsibility of the primary care, and really value those final days to visit and share time together.”

Bethell Hospice is a 10-bed residence that provides care for people facing a life-limiting illness and their families, the cost to stay is free, and no one is ever denied care due to their financial situation. They serve Brampton, Caledon, Dufferin County, Malton, Rexdale, Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

“We all deserve to be honoured and cared for at the end of our life with the same attention, compassion, and celebration that we were given at the moment of our birth,” said Ms. Vanderburgh.

“A donation would mean so much to so many,” She added, noting staff and volunteers work “tirelessly” to raise $1-milion every year. “Government funding covers primarily the physician and nursing costs, and all the other funds and operating capital must be raised.”

She explained that during her shifts at the hospice she works in the kitchen, coming up with palatable, nourishing, and comforting food in whatever form that takes. “Our philosophy is that the residents eat what they want, when they want, whenever that is.”

Ms. Vanderburgh described being given the opportunity to give tours of the hospice for those searching for a place of care. “It is on these occasions that I’m reminded just how extraordinary Bethell Hospice is.”

The other nominees were Streams Community Hub, and Spencer’s Heart. 

The women will host three more meetings throughout the year, the next one in June.

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