The St. Joseph's Hospice COVID-19 Relief Fund is getting a significant boost, thanks to the generosity of the local community.
A group of 11 donors came together to give the Christina Street North facility a total of $110,000.
Alliance Fabricating Limited owner Brant Jacklin was instrumental in organizing the effort and got 10 community partners to match his $10,000 donation.
Fund Development and Community Relations Manager Maria Muscedere said the money will support operations at the hospice.
"Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we needed urgent financial support because a lot of our events were cancelled, postponed, or changed this year," said Muscedere. "We need the money in order to operate as well as the residence downstairs and all of our programs and services that we provide to the Sarnia-Lambton community free of charge."
(Photo provided by the Hospice)
Jacklin said St. Joseph's Hospice is made up of special people and he and his wife Charmaine wanted to give back.
“Supporting, comforting, and saying goodbye to a loved one is one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. The staff and volunteers at St. Joseph's Hospice makes this end of life journey for a loved one as comfortable as possible," said Jacklin.
"The team at St. Joseph’s Hospice are truly unique. To provide the level of support that my mother and family received, the staff and volunteers must possess, unwavering compassion, understanding, dedication and resolve. It takes very special people to perform a job that most of us could not possibly imagine performing day in and day out. They strive to make this difficult time as peaceful and tranquil as possible while allowing family and friends to focus on spending precious time with our loved ones."
The St. Joseph's Hospice of Sarnia Lambton provides compassionate care to enhance quality and dignity of life for those living with a terminal illness and for those people who are affected by the anticipated or sudden death of a loved one.
Over 1,841 people have been supported by more than 240 hospice volunteers and employees since December 2009.
Here's a full list of the 11 donors:
-Agri-Urban Buildings Inc. (AUBI)
-Alliance Fabricating Ltd
-Anonymous
-Brant & Charmaine Jacklin
-Denis & Susan Lajoie
-Elliott Tool
-Interface Testing Services Inc. (ITS)
-Len & Brandie MacLachlan
-Promart Industrial
-Ron Lawton & Steve Chitovas
-St. Clair Mechanical