Thanks to the outstanding generosity and enthusiasm of the Chatham-Kent community for a locally-based residential hospice, the Chatham-Kent Hospice Capital Campaign Committee was pleased to announce today that they have successfully completed their campaign with a final total of $5,765,050.
A recent donation by the Ursuline Sisters of Chatham for $500,000 helped the final amount far surpass the original goal of $5 million.
“As Ursuline Sisters we have been particularly graced to accompany our dear ones during the final days of their earthly journey. The loving care which our sisters receive daily from our health care team allows us to be free to comfort and support them in their final days. This great gift of accompaniment is one that we want to share with the citizens of Chatham-Kent who have always been a source of strength and support to us since our arrival here almost 155 years ago,” says Theresa Campeau, OSU Congregational Leader.
Raising this amount of money in less than 12 months shows the community’s desire to have a residential hospice in Chatham-Kent.
“We are thrilled by the overwhelming support of Chatham-Kent for the hospice project and will be able to use the extra funds to enhance the facility with features that will further benefit patients and families,” says Jennifer Wilson, Chair, Chatham-Kent Hospice Board of Directors.
“We can now reinforce the structure to include overhead, built-in lifts in every room for greater comfort and safety for patients and staff. As well, we will now be able to install individual heating and cooling controls in each resident room, offices and meeting rooms.”
Over 3,000 donors have supported the hospice project to date and memorial donations were received in memory of more than 250 individuals. Campaign donations were also received from over 225 businesses and organizations.
The Chatham-Kent Hospice construction is expected to begin in Spring 2015 with the doors opening by the end of 2015.
“The money raised to date will be used for building construction and to set up a short-term operational sustainability fund,” says Jodi Maroney, Director of Development, Chatham-Kent Hospice. “Although we will have operational funding for our direct medical costs, we are also developing a Foundation that will lead the ongoing fundraising necessary to fill the gap in our overall budget.”
BACKGROUND:
Chatham-Kent residents have not had access to specialized end-of-life care in a residential hospice in our community, but in the last nine months of the campaign people from across the municipality has learned more about the value of having a residential hospice in Chatham-Kent.
In collaborating with St. Andrew’s Residence, and in cooperation with other service providers, the Chatham-Kent Hospice will offer compassionate, end-of-life care in a home-like setting which will provide the community with an alternative to dying at home or in hospital.
The Capital Campaign’s goal was $5 million – $3 million to build and $2 million for an Operational Sustainability Fund. The campaign was kicked off with a $1.5 million 5 year pledge made by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. The Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) will provide $920,000 annually for direct medical costs once the residential hospice is operational.
