Warkworth – The Bridge Hospice is just $88,000 – and an Ontario Municipal Board hearing – away from realizing its dream of building Northumberland County’s first residential hospice.

More attention was paid at the hospice’s annual general meeting last Sunday to the organization’s hugely successful fundraising efforts than the fly [...]]]> By John Campbell, Community Press
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Warkworth – The Bridge Hospice is just $88,000 – and an Ontario Municipal Board hearing – away from realizing its dream of building Northumberland County’s first residential hospice.

More attention was paid at the hospice’s annual general meeting last Sunday to the organization’s hugely successful fundraising efforts than the fly in the ointment represented by the OMB hearing.

With good reason: It’s “been a remarkable year for Bridge Hospice,” outgoing chair Dr. Cheryl Gibson said. “At last year’s annual meeting we had $40,000 and a dream … We now have over $200,000, and we hope to start building this year.”

The one-acre site is “a perfect spot” on Old Hastings Road that’s been rezoned but which is now the subject of an appeal by a neighbour, Don Dudley. The hearing is scheduled for May 25, Gibson told the gathering of close to 40 people at the Town Hall Centre for the Arts.

Among those present was Dudley who spoke to The Community Press afterward.

“The appeal is based on water pressure,” he said. “For the record I am not against the hospice.”

Dudley explained he was looking to develop five building lots in the same area as the proposed hospice is located but had been told by the municipality that there is an “inadequate supply” of water to serve his lots and that Old Hastings Road “was subject to negative pressure” which poses “a real threat of contamination.”

If that’s the case, “then there shouldn’t be any development,” including construction of the hospice, Dudley said.

He’s been in discussions with Trent Hills director of planning Jim Peters to try to resolve the matter. He said the municipality plans to build a pumping station that will address the issue of water pressure “for health and safety reasons” and to supply a major subdivision that’s been planned nearby in the village.

Dudley said he told Peters that “as soon as that was resolved (and) there was adequate supply for (him) as well as anybody else,” then he would have “no objections” to the rezoning.

Dudley said he has been given “the go-ahead to develop two lots … with the understanding that this new pumping station is going in.

“I’m hoping that we don’t have to continue with the appeal,” he said. “I want confirmation from the municipality that our lots are going to be treated the same way as the hospice, that’s all I’m asking for. We started in 2007 the process of getting our property developed and I think we’ve been reasonable in waiting.”

While the municipality has been working on a solution that would remove the need for the OMB hearing, Bridge Hospice has been busy raising the funding required to build and operate a 1.500-square-foot hospice with three bedrooms: $300,000 for construction, $50,000 for furnishings and equipment, and $50,000 for startup costs, including wages for staff.

With Warkworth Community Foundation having committed $50,000 to the project ,$88,000 remains to be raised, said Dr. Bob Stephens, chair of the fundraising committee.

Stephens said Bridge Hospice will need to come up with a plan prior to construction to show the foundation the hospice will be “run efficiently and in the black,” whether or not government funding is provided for its operations

WARKWORTH — Guests can have a great time while supporting a local cause at this year’s Black and White Ball.

The annual Warkworth event is celebrating its fifth successful year in the community. Although funds raised from the gala normally go to the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts, [...]]]> BY MOYA DILLON, THE INDEPENDENT
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WARKWORTH — Guests can have a great time while supporting a local cause at this year’s Black and White Ball.

The annual Warkworth event is celebrating its fifth successful year in the community. Although funds raised from the gala normally go to the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts, this year all proceeds will be donated to The Bridge Hospice.

“I think it’s an amazing cause,” said organizer Bev Roy. “Because they’re planning to build the hospice this year, I thought we’d support them.”

Ms. Roy recalls the day she initially proposed the idea of holding a fundraising ball in Warkworth.

“Everyone said a ball here wouldn’t work, that no one would go,” she recalls. “When someone tells me I can’t do something, that’s just a challenge for me. Since then the event has been wildly successful every year.”

The Black and White Ball raised about $4,000 in 2009, and has contributed more than $10,000 to the Town Hall over the past five years.

“Every year I’m amazed at the results,” Ms. Roy said. “I can’t believe it’s been such a success. And every year it grows, so this year I’m hoping we’ll be able to raise a significant amount.”

The Black and White Ball is Saturday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at Eclectic Mix in Warkworth, the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce in Campbellford or by phoning Ms. Roy at 705-924-9232.

WARKWORTH — The board of the planned Bridge Hospice in Warkworth celebrated a successful year of fundraising that has them just $88,000 short of their goal.

“A year ago we had $40,000 and a dream,” said board chairwoman, Dr. Cheryl Gibson at the hospice [...]]]> Goal only has $88,000 left to raise

BY MOYA DILLON, THE INDEPENDENT
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WARKWORTH — The board of the planned Bridge Hospice in Warkworth celebrated a successful year of fundraising that has them just $88,000 short of their goal.

“A year ago we had $40,000 and a dream,” said board chairwoman, Dr. Cheryl Gibson at the hospice group’s Annual General Meeting, held on Sunday, April 25 at the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts.

“Now we’re over $200,000 and hope to start building. This has been a remarkable year for The Bridge Hospice.”

The volunteer initiative wants to raise $350,000 to build a residential hospice in Warkworth. So far the group has succeeded in collecting $138,500 and has also received pledges totalling more than $60,000, bringing the fundraising total to $205,581.

“It’s been a great, great year,” said treasurer Martin Hare, citing donations from Warkworth residents, fundraising activities and donations from estates as vital to the campaign.

Moving forward, the group is focusing on beginning construction on the hospice this year. To do that, fundraising chair Dr. Bob Stephens says an additional $88,000 needs to be raised in 2010. That would take the group to its goal and also meet the requirements placed on a $50,000 pledge from the Warkworth Foundation which promised $25,000 in a direct gift and an additional $25,000 if The Bridge Hospice group can raise an equivalent amount in community donations and meet their $250,000 construction pool goal.

In order to begin construction, Dr. Stephens explained, the group needs to raise the additional $88,000 and decide on a plan to meet operating costs.

“We need to decide how we can ensure constituents that we have a plan,” Dr. Stephens said. “We need a working plan to run the hospice effectively and efficiently and in the black.”

He also mentioned several upcoming fundraising events for The Bridge, including the Warkworth Black and White Ball on Saturday, May 29, a golf tournament to be held in August and the annual Run for the Bridge Hospice, held in October.

For more information on The Bridge Hospice or to donate, visit www.thebridgehospice.com.

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 [...]]]> 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.

Pauline Faull, Lynda Pecora and Rosaleen Dunne set the project in motion. All have an extensive background in palliative care.

Warkworth – There’s one proposed Bridge in Trent Hills that hasn’t divided the community but has brought it together instead.

It’s Bridge Hospice which held a wine and cheese reception [...]]]> By John Campbell, Community Press
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Pauline Faull, Lynda Pecora and Rosaleen Dunne set the project in motion. All have an extensive background in palliative care.

Warkworth – There’s one proposed Bridge in Trent Hills that hasn’t divided the community but has brought it together instead.

It’s Bridge Hospice which held a wine and cheese reception Saturday in Warkworth to thank its supporters and to share its plans for Northumberland County’s first residential hospice.

Unlike the controversy over where a new bridge is to be built in Campbellford, neither the site – nor the purpose – of Bridge Hospice is in question. It’s a one-acre serviced lot at the end of the Old Hastings Road at the north end of the village. Construction of the 1,500-square-foot facility is expected to begin in the fall with the opening to follow in the spring of 2011.

The residence will include three rooms where terminally ill patients can live out the last days of their lives in comfortable surroundings, cared for by staff and volunteers.

The cost to build the residence has been budgeted at $300,000 but Bridge Hospice’s board of directors hopes to raise an additional $50,000 to have in the bank for operating purposes when it opens.

More than $200,000 has been raised to date.

“I’m very pleased that we’re this far this fast because we only started really a year ago at the annual meeting,” Dr. Bob Stephens, the retired physician who chairs the fundraising committee, said in an interview.

Dr. Cheryl Gibson, chair of the board of directors, told QMI Agency that Campbellford Memorial Hospital estimates the hospice will serve 40 people a year.

“We’re looking at a co-ordinator and having the Community Care Access Centre provide some staffing,” Gibson said. The equivalent of one-and-a-half positions will be filled by nurses or personal support workers.

“Volunteers are going to be the heart of it,” she said. “We have quite a long list of people who can hardly wait to start.”

One group of volunteers has pledged to trim $25,000 from construction costs by supplying volunteer labour.

Among the people who attended Saturday’s event held at the Warkworth Town Hall Centre for the Arts were donors from Port Hope and Cobourg along with those from the immediate area. The reception was not only intended to thank them for their support and to provide an update on the project but also “to encourage them to keep being involved,” Gibson said. “Most people have fundraisers. We call this our friendraiser.”

Special tribute was paid during the evening to retired school teacher and local historian Aureen Richardson, who donated $50,000 to the hospice, and the three nurses whose dream it was for a hospice that set everything in motion – Pauline Faull, Lynda Pecora and Rosaleen Dunne

Gibson explained what a hospice is: a place where the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs of the terminally ill person and the patient’s family members are attended to in a setting made to feel like a home.

“It becomes a time of bonding together, a time of transition that is loving and very, very peaceful,” she said.

Her message was underscored in a two minute video scripted by former Warkworth-area resident Nina Keogh that related her own positive experience with a hospice when her mother was dying.

Stephens said the hospice will free up beds for more acute care patients at Campbellford Memorial Hospital and increase its efficiency.

He said “a generational change” has occurred, in which both spouses now work and lead busy lives, making it more difficult for them to look after loved ones in their final days.

“Hospices are becoming much more in demand,” Stephens said. “The last two weeks of life are particularly very difficult for a family – [a time of] great emotional and physical stress.”

He said the provincial government is providing no funding for the project but he expressed hope it will once the facility is in operation.

The Warkworth Community Foundation has donated $25,000 and agreed to contribute an additional $25,000, provided an equal amount is raised in the community.

“We’re absolutely full of joy,” Pecora said afterward of the project that is moving closer to realizing the dream she, Faull and Dunne first put into words more than five years ago.

“We always knew it was going to happen because this community is so full of amazing people.”

Warkworth – Long-time Warkworth resident Aureen Richardson has donated $50,000 to the Bridge Hospice project and their fund-raising drive to build a three-bedroom hospice at Warkworth.

It was a year ago when area icon and Order of Canada honouree Dr. Bob Stevens approached her with the idea says Richardson’s son, [...]]]> By Ray Yurkowski, EMC
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Warkworth – Long-time Warkworth resident Aureen Richardson has donated $50,000 to the Bridge Hospice project and their fund-raising drive to build a three-bedroom hospice at Warkworth.

It was a year ago when area icon and Order of Canada honouree Dr. Bob Stevens approached her with the idea says Richardson’s son, Ray.

“You know mom, if you want to, you can afford to do this,” he recalls telling his mother. “I think it might be a good thing and the donation is because she’s always believed in supporting the local community.

“If she thinks something is right, she says ‘let’s do it,’” he adds.

And this isn’t a first-time act of benevolence from the local philanthropist. She helped out financially to bridge the gap between upgrading the Trent Hills Venture Van, which provides rides for anyone who is physically or functionally disabled, and the fund raising to pay for it.

“My parents are not from a background of money,” says Ray. “Mom taught in a one-room schoolhouse. She finished high school when she was 16 and was teaching the next year, at the age of 17. She worked hard her whole life.

“In this day and age, we’re all getting older, and the hospice is to let people, young or old, who are terminally ill, die with dignity and respect. Not all families can afford it and this is an avenue that will help support that in the community. I think it will be great.

“For a lady that started out very poor, she’s done well,” he added. “And it’s nice to help your own local area.”

The plan is to construct the only freestanding residential hospice in Northumberland County thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers who have been working on the project since 2006. The first step was to gain the support of Campbellford Memorial Hospital, Trent Hills Family Health Team and the Health Unit.

“A group of palliative care nurses are part of the instigation of the group,” explained Bridge Hospice publicity director Joan Sampson. “They felt it was something that was needed in this area.”

“The hospital feels they will be able to refer up to about 40 people a year to the hospice.” But, she points out, the facility won’t be bound by municipal borders.

“It’s taken hold in the Warkworth area and we’re spreading it out from there,” she said. “But it will not be a Warkworth hospice, it will be for the entire county.”

So far, $120,000 has been raised, enough to purchase the land. Now, they’re looking for more funding to build and equip the hospice with the hope of opening the doors later this year.

Bridge Hospice will serve the residents of this entire area free of charge and will provide a serene, home-like setting says a media release. As well, the hospice will be co-operating with the local health care providers to ensure a seamless transition between services. The focus will be on the patient and family and about making this difficult time as comfortable as possible for everyone.

“We’re trying to spread the word around the rest of the county,” said Sampson. “We really want to get started this summer.”

In addition, she points out the building committee has their sights set on the structure built as a “green” building. While it might cost a little more at the outset, the cost of maintenance will be much less than a conventional structure.

“It’s quite a lively group we’ve got together to do this,” said Sampson. “In volunteering, it’s nice to be doing something that has a real purpose. It’s a really good concept and it really does work.”

If you want to volunteer or make a donation call 705-924-9222 or visit online for more information.

WARKWORTH — The Bridge Hospice’s capital campaign is off to a good start thanks to a large donation.

Lifelong Warkworth resident, historian and author Aureen Richardson presented members of The Bridge’s board with a $50,000 donation on Jan. 25.

“This is our largest cheque yet,” said [...]]]> Capital campaign aims to raise $350,000

BY MOYA DILLON, THE INDEPENDENT
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WARKWORTH — The Bridge Hospice’s capital campaign is off to a good start thanks to a large donation.

Lifelong Warkworth resident, historian and author Aureen Richardson presented members of The Bridge’s board with a $50,000 donation on Jan. 25.

“This is our largest cheque yet,” said treasurer Martin Hare as he received the donation during a presentation at the Warkworth Community Nursing Home, where Ms. Richardson is resident.

“Not only your generosity, but also your kindness in being here today is very much appreciated.”

Ms. Richardson’s son, Ray Richardson, describes his mother as a dedicated citizen and a proud supporter of her community.

“Mom’s goal was really to provide support from someone local and show that this is a support structure that doesn’t exist in rural communities,” he explained.

“There’s definitely a need for this type of service, and Mom is fortunate enough to be able to do this, so it worked out well.”

The Hospice board is hoping to raise $350,000, which would allow for the purchase of land as well as covering building, equipment and initial operating costs. The board has already raised nearly $120,000 since the campaign began in 2009. Organizers are hoping Ms. Richardson’s generous donation will spur others to come forward and show support for the facility.

“This is obviously a key donation to get us started,” said Dr. Bob Stephens, fundraising chair for The Bridge Hospice’s capital campaign.

“We appreciate this donation in itself but we also hope it will be an example to others to help out with fundraising and generate interest and confidence.”

For Ms. Richardson, the donation was meant to support the project and encourage further involvement from the community.

“When we talked about it she told me ‘if I can help make a difference I’d like to,” Mr. Richardson explains of the decision to donate. “She wanted someone to get the ball rolling for the campaign.”

Several upcoming fundraisers have been planned to increase awareness and support, including a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the annual Black and White Ball in June and a summer golf tournament. For more information, to volunteer, or to make a donation visit www.thebridgehospice.com or phone 705-924-9222.

Dr. Bob Stephens, chair of the hospice s fundraising campaign, accepts a cheque for $5,000 toward the Bridge Hospice from local author and historian Aureen Richardson. Photo by Sue Dickens/For Community Press

Warkworth – When proponents of a residential hospice in Warkworth first reached out to the public for support, they knew it was a long-term undertaking – much like a marathon race.

Their dream is drawing closer to reality and helping it along has been a run held each year as [...]]]> By John Campbell, Community Press
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Warkworth – When proponents of a residential hospice in Warkworth first reached out to the public for support, they knew it was a long-term undertaking – much like a marathon race.

Their dream is drawing closer to reality and helping it along has been a run held each year as a fundraiser. The fifth one took place last Saturday and drew 100 entrants from across Ontario, including Ottawa, Toronto and Guelph.

That’s a far cry from the eight people who turned out for the first run staged five years ago.

“It was wonderful that we now have 100 people showing up,” Cheryl Gibson, chair of The Bridge Hospice, said in an interview Sunday. The Warkworth (W8) – Bridge Hospice Run is now considered “one of the best events” of the year among runners because of the beautiful scenery and an “interesting” course that covers as much trails as it does roads.

The longer course included “some fairly tricky trails” that made it “quite challenging,” said race director Bryce Miller. The trails were “a bit messy,” with ruts, loose stones and “a lot of deep holes filled with water,” Miller said, but the turnout was the best ever.

Gibson was unable to provide an approximate figure as to how much the event netted for the hospice, which faces a challenge of a different sort.

The non-profit organization is in the process of buying a one-acre lot in Warkworth and had won approval from Trent Hills council to have the land rezoned to permit the establishment of a hospice. However, an appeal has been filed by a neighbouring landowner.

“We’re hoping that’s going to get resolved very quickly,” Gibson said, so that construction can begin in the spring in order for the hospice to become operational next year – “if everything goes through.”

The Bridge Hospice has already raised almost $100,000 in cash and pledges but it needs to raise another $250,000 to pay for capital and operating costs, “to get us up and going for the first year,” Gibson said.

Miller offered praise for the 30 to 40 volunteers who helped out with last Saturday’s fundraiser. They included members of the Warkworth Community Service Club and the Warkworth fire department. And local merchants were “exceptionally supportive,” providing draw prizes.

WARKWORTH — The Bridge Hospice in Warkworth is one step closer to reality thanks to a donation from the recent community performance of ‘Steel Magnolias’.

“We are very grateful to Bev (Roy) and the rest of the cast for their generosity,” said Dr. Cheryl Gibson, chair [...]]]> Nearly $100,000 raised to date

BY MOYA DILLON, THE INDEPENDENT
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WARKWORTH — The Bridge Hospice in Warkworth is one step closer to reality thanks to a donation from the recent community performance of ‘Steel Magnolias’.

“We are very grateful to Bev (Roy) and the rest of the cast for their generosity,” said Dr. Cheryl Gibson, chair of The Bridge Hospice’s board of directors, before accepting a cheque from Ms. Roy, one of the stars and organizers behind Steel Magnolias.

“I’m a fundraiser, I like to do this kind of stuff because I have fun doing it,” Ms. Roy said of the production.

“What better way to take people’s money than to entertain them? We are all going to be in a facility like this some day, so it’s a very good cause.”

The production, which was held Sept. 17-19, raised $6,382 towards the hospice. So far, fundraising efforts have raised a total of nearly $100,000 in pledges and donations. The board’s overall goal is $350,000, which would cover the cost of land, construction, furnishings and operating costs for the facility’s first year.

“Anyone who’s ever been with a loved one as they faced a terminal illness will understand why we are so passionate about building a residential hospice in this community,” Dr. Gibson explained.

“You can go to a place where people are trained to be with you during that time and to walk that journey with you, that’s what being in a hospice is all about.”

The Bridge Hospice is hoping to close on a piece of land in Warkworth, across from the former site of Rubbs Bar and Grill, in November. Pending that deal, Dr. Gibson said she expects construction to begin in the spring.

The organization is currently seeking volunteers to help with fundraising and different elements of building and designing. To volunteer or for more information, call 705-924-9222 or visit www.thebridgehospice.com. To make a donation visit www.canadahelps.org.