The Clearwater and District Hospice Society (CDHS) enlists the help of community partners in November each year to raise funds for the supplies and other expenses that are needed for the Hospice Room / Palliative Care Room at Dr Helmcken Memorial Hospital.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, the CDHS and community partners from On Call Services, Buy-Low Foods, Home Hardware, Markus's Clearwater Stop and The Men's Shed along with other volunteers had an informal work bee to install the lights for this holiday season.
The CDHS also has another beautiful hospice 'memorial' tree on display annually in the lobby at the Quality Inn, owned by Cass and AJ Bachhal and family. The tree is adorned with beautiful lights, decorations and personalized cards filled out in memory of loved ones now gone.
Donations are accepted by the society which in turn go towards providing the family hospice / palliative services for the room at Dr. Helmcken Memorial such as snacks, cozy blankets, toiletries, and other items to help family and friends supporting loved ones in care.
"We want to provide these loving families and friends with some comforts from home, like individual cozy blankets, snacks or even a break now and then when keeping vigil in our special hospice / palliative room in the hospital. It is truly lovely to see how our community steps up continually to help us make this possible through donations, hard work and volunteering. We couldn't do this without them," said Shirley Frost, president of the CDHS.
During the month of November and leading up to Christmas, volunteers host a table inside Buy-Low Foods where people can stop by to write cards in memory of loved ones and the cards are placed on the "Memory Tree" at the Quality Inn.
Frost adds, "This is a very special place to sit and remember. These beautiful trees will be seen in the darker, longer months of winter in memory of our cherished loved ones. The donations will assist us in carrying on the supportive comforting services throughout the year in hospice and palliative care."
