Northumberland Today – 26 Mar 2010
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The Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts was filled to capacity on Saturday evening, March 20 for an elegant wine and cheese reception hosted by The Bridge Hospice. The hall was transformed by Bev Roy and her decorating crew into an upscale night club for the unveiling of the plans for a residential hospice to be built in Warkworth later this year.
Background music for the evening was provided by jazz vocalist Chelsey Bennett of Campbellford, accompanied by Rob Phillips.
Bridge Hospice chair Dr. Cheryl Gibson welcomed the guests to a “friend-raiser” to celebrate the hard-working group’s progress toward the goal of a freestanding residential hospice for Northumberland County. The hospice will offer those in the last stages of life and their families a homey and comfortable place to live and die with dignity, all supported by caring professionals and volunteers. Gibson introduced the three nurses, Pauline Faull, Lynda Pecora, and Rosaleen Dunne, whose vision provided the inspiration for the formation of The Bridge Hospice.
A brief video followed, explaining the benefits of a hospice to a caregiver and her gratitude for the support of a hospice and its staff in her loved one’s final days.
Bridge Hospice fundraising chair Dr. Bob Stephens, then reported that the committee has received over $200,000 of the $350,000 goal. He introduced Aureen Richardson, a major donor and thanked her again for her generosity. The Warkworth Community Foundation, another major donor, has allocated $25,000 to the Hospice plus another $25,000 in matching funds. Stephens challenged the guests to help the committee achieve the Foundation’s terms.
More information on The Bridge Hospice and a pledge form is available online at www.thebridgehospice.comor by calling 705-924-9222.
