Memorial Forest Dedication Service 2020

In the rolling hills of Central Huron, we have established a memorial forest on the 12-acres of land that is home to Huron Hospice Residence. This year, with the limits on large gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have chosen to host a virtual ceremony dedicating the trees planted in memory of loved ones. You can learn more about the memorial forest on our website. The video was captured and edited by Conrad Kuiper. Thank you to all who donated towards a tree in the memorial forest. We are growing a living legacy for our loved ones.

In the rolling hills of Central Huron, we have established a memorial forest on the 12-acres of land that is home to Huron Hospice Residence. This year, with...

TREES PLANTED IN 2020 IN MEMORY OF:

Ad Rap
Joanne Robertson
Lorna Fraser
Edward Linner
Mary Leigh Longfield (Cole)
Grace and Bill Cameron
W. Paul Elgie
Steven J. Brunskill
Jo-Anne Collins

Huron Hospice announces new Executive Director

The Board of Directors for Huron Hospice is pleased to announce the appointment of a new executive director to follow Shirley Dinsmore who is retiring after serving in that role for 25 years. Willy Van Klooster will take on the position November 25.

Mr Van Klooster was raised on a dairy farm in Perth County before completing a Masters degree at Western University in London. In the years since, he has held a number of leadership roles with various organizations primarily in the healthcare sector. He has been the executive director of non-profit organizations supporting children’s and adult mental health, addiction treatment, primary care and developmental services. Recently he has led organizations in home care and long-term care. Most of his work has been in the London area.  Willy and his wife plan to move to Huron County in the spring. 

Huron Hospice board chair, Jay McFarlan, said, “The board of directors undertook a comprehensive search and really did their homework to ensure Huron Hospice will have the right leader in the coming years. It is important to us that we have confidence in someone who will serve Huron Hospice and the Huron County community well.” Willy Van Klooster said, “I am looking forward to working with the Huron Hospice board, staff and volunteers - as well as other organizations and people in the county - to ensure the best end-of-life and bereavement services are in place for the community.” 

With the opening in May last year of the residential hospice on a quiet rural estate on Highway 8 just west of Clinton, Huron Hospice continues to expand its services. The board has just completed a new Strategic Plan covering the period 2019-2023.  It contains a number of new priorities and initiatives to become a Centre of Excellence. 

Incoming executive director Willy Van Klooster (left) with retiring executive director Shirley Dinsmore (right) at the front door of Huron Hospice Residence as they “pass the torch.”

Memorial Forest to be established on Huron Hospice property

PRESS RELEASE: Aug 16, 2019

Huron Hospice, along with the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA), is pleased to announce that a Memorial Forest will be created on the property behind the residence. Families can now plant a tree in memory of a loved one, and help establish a green legacy for generations to come. The forest will serve as a peaceful place for reflection and support well-being, grief and bereavement, and celebrating life. 

The Forest will surround the Tranquility Trail, which was adopted as one of the official trails maintained by BRVTA earlier this summer. The trail winds through the back meadow and natural marsh on the rural estate of Huron Hospice between Goderich and Clinton (37857 Huron Rd, directly across from Woodland Links Golfcourse).

The proposed area of the forest is approximately six acres, and the current trail is open to hospice residents, their families, and the general public to enjoy. The Memorial Forest is a program designed to enhance the grounds of Huron Hospice, provide a place of respite, an engagement opportunity for the community, and create a sustainable legacy for future generations.

“You can now commemorate the life of a loved one by planting a tree – a living memorial that will grow and flourish over the years,'' says Helen Varekamp, member of BRVTA and the one responsible for envisioning the forest. 

Jay McFarlan, co-chair of the board at Huron Hospice adds “We had considered many different ways to use the space behind our residential hospice. Establishing a Memorial Forest is definitely in line with the philosophy of hospice palliative care, and creates a special place where people can honour the life of their loved ones.”

Community members will have the opportunity to donate a tree in memory of a loved one, and participate in an annual dedication service. Donors can choose to display the names of their memorialized persons on a commemorative sign at the forest entrance. Ten different native tree species (both deciduous and evergreen) have been selected to create a mixed forest suitable for the area. Trees can be ordered through the Huron Hospice website and will be professionally planted in the fall of each year by Verbeeks Farm and Garden Centre. Orders received after August 31st will be processed the following year. The cost of a tree is $345.00, which includes a substantial tree, a five-year warranty, planting and the name of your loved one included on the annual memorial plaque at the entrance to the forest. Tax receipts will be issued for the full value of the tree.

This program is open to anyone who wants to remember the life of a loved one, and is not limited to those who have passed through the hospice. By working with local suppliers and the emphasis on native species, the Memorial Forest is a sustainable project that will promote a better environment for years to come. 

Learn more about the forest, or plant a tree through this link, or contact Michelle Field by email at fundhospice@tcc.on.ca

Aerial view of the 12-acre property at Huron Hospice. The memorial forest will be established in the back 6 acres of land that is currently meadow and natural marsh environment.

The backyard at Huron Hospice, where the entrance to the Memorial Forest (and Tranquility Trail) will be available for everyone to enjoy.

Working with Ontario Health Teams to improve local care

FROM THE HURON PERTH & AREA ONTARIO HEALTH TEAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26th, 2019

Huron Perth and Area Health Care Providers Asked by the Province to Move Forward

In response to submitting a formal Self-Assessment to the government, over 50 independent healthcare organizations from across Huron Perth and area have been invited to complete a full application to be designated as an Ontario Health Team (OHT). The introduction of OHTs is a key piece of the ongoing healthcare reforms across the province. The formation of OHTs is intended to better integrate services around the patients, families and caregivers.

Over 150 self-assessments were received by the province as a result of this initial call for interest, with 31 submissions being invited to submit a full application. In correspondence received from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Deputy Minister, Helen Angus stated that “the team’s self-assessment submission demonstrated a strong commitment to all OHT model components and showed a high degree of readiness to complete a full application and potential to implement the OHT model.”

The Huron Perth & Area OHT represents a collaboration of many partners including Emergency Medical Services, Home Care and Community Support Services, Hospitals, Long-Term Care, Mental Health and Addictions, Midwifery Services, Palliative Care and Residential Hospices and Primary Care. This collaboration is possible in part due to the strong relationships that have been in place for years to serve the people of Huron Perth.

The partners have volunteered to work together with patients and caregivers to ensure the OHT is developed around the true needs of those using and providing services. Ultimately, all provincially funded health service providers will be expected to join Ontario Health Teams.

Initially, the emphasis will be placed on: defining shared governance accountabilities between the partners; including the important leadership role of clients, patient partners and residents; and identifying digital health opportunities that will make services more accessible and progressive. The team’s initial focus will be supporting individuals who have chronic conditions, those accessing palliative care supports and individuals of all ages in need of mental health and addiction services.

The deadline for submitting the completed application is October 9th. In advance of this, there will be significant discussion between the partners, frontline healthcare providers, and with patients, families, caregivers and community members from across the region aimed at ensuring that care and support are well connected, sustainable, and designed around the needs of the people using and working in the system.

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Handbags for Hospice raises nearly $50,000

A night to remember!

Handbags for Hospice was our annual gala event, on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Goderich. The event included a live auction, hosted by Layne the Auctionista, which saw several designer purses, unique experiences, and fun games, all while nibbling delightful food and sipping local wines. Together, our community raised nearly $50,000 which will go directly to supporting all the services at Huron Hospice. There is one thing that will be made a priority with this funding, which is creating a community room; transforming the attached 2-car garage at our residential hospice into a community room for family, friends, residents, volunteers and the whole community. It will become a special meeting place for support groups, a social place for families, and an isolated room where families can video-chat with friends, near and far.

The evening was the culmination of many hours of planning and volunteer work, with amazing help from all parts of our community. Thank you to everyone who lent a hand in making this night such a resounding success! Thank you especially to the attendees who generously gave, and encouraged a little friendly competition in the live-auction. A special thank you to Brian, who shared his family’s personal experience of loss, grief, and the compassionate care they received while their mother was at Huron Hospice.

The Handbags for Hospice event wouldn’t be possible without the help of many people. Many thanks to our Gold Sponsors, Horizon ProResp and TCC, and our Silver Sponsor Canadian Tire Goderich. Thank you also to our Bronze Sponsors Orr Insurance & Investment, McGlynn Family Funeral Home, Allan Avis Architects, Hyundai of Goderich, Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities, ReMax Reliable Realty Seaforth, Marita’s Fashion Boutique, DEJager Town Square IDA, Vanden Heuvel Structures Ltd. We are also thankful for the in-kind donations from Divine Wedding Design, Schaefers Goderich, Wuerths Shoes, Thirty-One Sheryl Kuiper, MJ Handmade, Marita’s Fashion Boutique, Libro, MicroAge Basics. In addition to our sponsors we thank the following for their support: The Backyard Flower Shop, Knights of Columbus, MCL Sound & Production, Goderich Print Shop, White Carnation, and Huron AV.

Thanks to Drift, for their in-kind donation of the Llama Walk and the Sunset Cruise as separate items. To Brenda Campbell - Realty Executives Platinum Limited for her In-Home Dinner Experience that has been for bid and enjoyed by guests three years in a row. And to Deb Austin of Austin's Appliance & Sleep Centre for her 38 bottle wine cooler along with 3 bottles of wine (new to us) from 2nd Streetlight Estate Winery, and the Seaforth Firemen for their work at the event.

Hike for Hospice raises $38,600

“Sunday, May 5th was a beautiful day for a wonderful cause,” says Sharon Horton, who was leading a team hiking in memory of her husband Jim at the annual Hike for Hospice. “My family is eternally grateful for the comfort and care we received in our time of need. With continued community support other families will be taken care of when they need it the most.”

Jim Horton passed away at Huron Hospice Residence in November last year. He had a sense of humour that brought laughter wherever he went. A team of his family and friends gathered pledges and hiked in his memory, raising $3,259 and earning the prize as top fundraising team. Team Horton will enjoy a pizza party courtesy of Boston Pizza in Goderich. There were 17 teams in total, and 207 individual hikers, many of whom were hiking in memory of someone special.

June Robinson, aged 92 years young, was the top individual fundraiser, raising $1,340 and hiking the Lobb Trail in support of Huron Hospice. June wins an outdoor fireplace table donated by Canadian Tire.

All together, participants collected over $38,600 in pledges with all proceeds going to support Huron Hospice, as they hiked the Lobb Trail outside Holmesville.

The crowd gathered afterwards at Bill and Joan Crawford’s home (just down the road from Lobb Trail) for a BBQ pork dinner, Huron County style, with the pig generously donated by Barb and Wayne Fear. Transportation between the Crawford’s home and the Lobb trail was made easier by Murphy Bus Lines who donated a van and driver for the day. The Lobb family, and their large network of friends, worked hard to ensure the trail was ready for the big hike. Coffee and juice was donated by the local McDonald’s restaurant, and parts of the meal were provided at cost by local businesses; Fairholme Dairy and Jerry Raider’s. Snipity the Clown also donated her services. Many thanks to all the volunteers who gave so much of their time and skill to make this event the success it was, and of course, to all of the hikers who chose to hike in support of Huron Hospice.

Proceeds from this event will be used to support all programs at Huron Hospice, including grief and bereavement services, support groups, and the Huron Hospice Residence which had its grand opening exactly one year prior, at Hike for Hospice 2018. Since opening doors at the residential hospice, 49 individuals have received hospice care and support continues for the families grieving their loss.

“It’s all about the care, and making moments matter” remarks Jay McFarlan, Co-Chair of the Board at Huron Hospice,  “having compassionate care at the end-of-life helps families just like Jim’s, to celebrate life. I am proud of our community for coming together to support our wonderful resource. While the government provides some funds towards our operations, it’s up to our community to find the funds and makeup the shortfall.”

The next big event will be Handbags for Hospice on May 23rd at Knights of Columbus Hall in Goderich. It’s an evening of lively entertainment, sharing stories and, of course, handbags auctioned in support of hospice. For event information and tickets check event listings at www.huronhospice.ca