It was a day full of joy as the Fraser Canyon Hospice Society (FCHS) celebrated its 30th anniversary with the Hope community.
"Over the past 30 years, our society staff and valued volunteers have supported numerous people within the community and its surrounding areas," said Mary Norman, the manager for FCHS. "Providing all our clients with kindness and compassion, being present and witness to a person's precious last breath, offering ongoing support to community members through bereavement support groups. And offering support and community educational workshops.
"We are extremely proud to work alongside the Fraser Health team. And we want to acknowledge all of the wonderful volunteers who have donated hours of dedicated work at hospice.
The event took place at the Hope Legion from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. During this time, members of FCHS offered light refreshments and shared the society's history, as well as their gratitude, with those in attendance.
During the event speeches were given by: Norman; FCHS president Kitty Younker; Fraser Health Authority Director of Clinical Services Catherine Wiebe; Dr.Danica Whalley of Palliative Care at the Fraser Canyon Hospital (FCH); Mayor Victor Smith; Corally Delwo, the constituent representative for Fraser-Nicola MLA Tony Luck; and Sar Robson, the hospice bereavement coordinator.
Each speaker spoke about how much FCHS"s importance to the Hope community and the lives touched by their services.
A donation of $1000 was also given by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hope Aerie 2690 to FCHS. The cheque was presented by the Eagles Worthy President Sue Joly, and the Eagles Aerie Secretary Larry Kellum.
Serving the community since 1995, FCHS is a non-profit organization that provides volunteer support programs, complimentary therapies and patient comfort services to palliative clients. After its founders submitted their proposal to the government, and received a seal of approval, they quickly got to work establishing themselves. Later, in 2005, FCHS turned their attention to creating Camp Skylark. It is an annual, weekend-long bereavement camp for children ages 7-12 who have experienced the loss of a loved one. FCHS volunteers and staff created the camp as a way to help grieving children. Many of the volunteers, some who have experienced grieve and loss in their own lives, travel from all over B.C. to be part of the camp.
The society serves those from Agassiz to Hope and Boston Bar. According to their website, they offer two hospice beds, a family room and community support programs. Their 45 volunteers serve an average of 100 clients directly and 500 clients indirectly.
Some of the services or programs they offer includes: Grief Chat Coffee Group, Grief Friends Facebook, Comfort Calls, Nature Bathing Walking Group, Circle Bereavement Group, and Memory Book Group.
In honour of the work they've done and contributed to the families, friends, and clients of Hope, Boston Bar, and Sunshine Valley, Luck will be showcasing and recognizing FCHS team at the B.C. Legislation, during the week of March 3 to March 7.
MLA Tony Luck will be showcasing and recognizing the Fraser Canyon Hospice Society team and the Hospice society at BC Legislation this week. We are being recognized for the work we have contributed to the families, friends and clients of Hope, Boston Bar and the Sunshine Valley
Anyone interested in learning more about the FCHS’s services and support can contact Mary Norman, Hospice Manager, or Sar, the Bereavement Coordinator, at 604-860-7713. They can also be contacted by email at mary.norman@fraserhealth.ca (FCHS Manager) or sar@hopefrasercanyon.com. People interested in becoming a FCHS volunteer, or Hospice Member, can also call or email for more details.
Donations can also be made to FCHS at www.canadahelps.org. Cheques can also be sent to Fraser Canyon Hospice Society, 1275 – 7th Ave., Hope, B.C., V0X 1L4.
"The requests for our services are continuously growing, but all our programs and funding come from donations and grants alone. So, we continue to be grateful to provide these valuable services to our community without here," Norman said. "May I also take from this moment to express gratitude to all the people who have reached out to the hospice society. We are truly honored that you trust and value our services to serve you. Thank you for sharing your journey to allow us to support you.
And I would also like to acknowledge all the patients who have shared stories and memories with us. Each person we have served, it has been an honour and a privilege."
