$500,000 donation to Huron Hospice Capital Campaign: Moments Matter…Even More at Huron Hospice

Today, Huron Hospice announced a lead donation to the $1.6 million Moments Matter … Even More Capital Campaign. With their gift of $500,000, David and Susan Bender are helping Huron Hospice reach the community phase of the campaign.

“We are honoured to accept this gift from David and Susan. In recognition of this gift, the Board of Directors has approved the renaming of the Huron Hospice Residence. As of today, the residence will be called Huron Hospice Bender House,” said Jay McFarlan, Huron Hospice Chair of the Board at the recognition event held at Huron Hospice on Saturday, June 4.

“Eighteen months ago, David and Susan told us of their vision for end-of-life care in the family home and in the hospice. Their vision was influenced by the experiences of a friend and a family member. When they were not able to receive the compassionate care they needed, David and Susan became firm believers in the importance of hospice care.”

David and Susan believe that the gentleness of spending time with a person is so important. No one should die alone. “Sometimes people just need tea and a cookie while others need someone to talk to and share with. Hospice affords dignity and the personal care and kindness at the end of life, so a person can die with dignity,” commented David and Susan.

“Today as we embark on an exciting new phase of our service, we are honoured to name the hospice residence after David and Susan,” said Willy Van Klooster, Huron Hospice Executive Director. “Twenty-eight years ago, generous donors made Huron Hospice possible. Four years ago, they made the residential Hospice a reality. Today David and Susan have brought us close to the finish line and are helping us launch the next exciting phase of Huron Hospice. They invite everyone in Huron County to join them in this final push to make these new beds at Huron Hospice a reality.”

“This final Community Phase is the one where everyone can join us and push fundraising over the finish line,” said David and Susan. “Alongside the Hospice Board of Directors, we encourage everyone in Huron County to join us and help reach the goal of increased high quality hospice care close to home where it matters most.”

“Today is an important milestone, since the Ontario Government has previously committed to match all dollars we raise to a maximum of $800,000,” added Willy Van Klooster. Since $120,000 of the provincial contribution was provided earlier to prepare the drawings, the combined contributions from the Benders, other donors and the province is now $1,500,000. We need $1.6 million to be able to put shovels in the ground. We ask others in Huron County to join us and close out the campaign. Now is the time that we say no gift is too small, or too large. Every gift matters as we approach the goal.”

The Huron Hospice Project will be one of the most cost-effective hospice capital projects in Ontario and will increase care provided at Bender House from 65 to 100 families per year.