The regional branch of the Royal Canadian Legion were in Picton last week to make a timely donation to Hospice Prince Edward that will allow the local residential facility to purchase three new mattresses.
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion’s District F Hospital Fund presented Hospice Prince Edward with a donation of $11,419 to replace mattresses for their residence.
“We are pleased and proud to present proud to present this cheque to you for your purchase of mattresses to aid our veterans and others in this community,” said Fund Chair Don Ramsey when presenting the cheque to Hospice Executive Director Sandra Barnes.
Ramsey explained the District Hospital Trust is a fund that all 53 branches from District F from Bay Ridges to Napanee and north to Bancroft and west to Haliburton contribute to by way of Poppy Funds.
“The branches make regular contributions through their poppy sales and the fund is designed to allow us to make larger donations to places like hospitals and hospices when the need is great and is above and beyond what a local branch might be able to provide,” Ramey said.
Barnes said a special thank you was in order to Buck Buchanan of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Wellington for bringing the request to the attention of Ramsey who expedited the donation.
Barnes said the order for the three mattresses was made upon informal approval and it was hoped that they would arrive some time in the next two weeks.
Hospice Prince Edward receives funding from the Ministry of Health’s Home and Community Care Support Services for the direct care it provides to its residents, but fundraising and donations are needed to provide the furnishings, beds, and utilities of the hospice.
“We’re grateful for the generosity of the Royal Canadian Legion’s District F Hospital Fund for donating new mattresses for the hospice”, said Sandra Barnes, Executive Director. “We want our clients to be comfortable while staying with us. We have a beautiful three-bedroom home in the heart of Picton, providing end-of-life care to those residing in Prince Edward County, including Veterans of our three Legions.”
“We want make sure both veterans and anyone who comes through our facility are getting the best and most comforting care possible,” she added.
Hospice Prince Edward and the Veterans of Prince Edward County have a long-standing history of supporting one another. Veterans from Wellington, Consecon and Picton regularly use the supports and programs offered by Hospice Prince Edward both in the community and in the residence. In return, Legions based in all three of those aforementioned communities have assisted with our fundraising events and made generous member donations.
Hospice Prince Edward provides quality of life, dignity in death and grief and bereavement support for all those living with or affected by a life limiting illness, including Veterans. Hospice care includes support during the patient’s illness, when death occurs, and in the weeks and months that follow. All programs and services are offered at no charge to the client or their families.
For more information about the supports and services provided by Hospice Prince Edward, visit our website at www.hospiceprinceedward.ca or call 613-645-4040.
-Staff