The good news is, the Sunshine Coast Hospice has had a generous benefactor step up with a matching donation of $10,000 for its Lights of Life fundraising campaign.
The bad news is, the ongoing Canada Post strike means their previously successful, direct-mail campaign has been stalled indefinitely.
Tess Huntly, executive director of Sunshine Coast Hospice says, as far as she knows, the non-profit is the only independent, local charity on the Coast that uses direct-mail campaigns as part of their fundraising for programs and services. The hospice’s campaign includes sending physical letters through Canada Post to prospective donors, which include a personal story from someone who has been assisted by their programs, with a request that the receiver make a donation.
“This Lights of Life campaign, which is our winter fundraising campaign, is critical to our being able to provide our services, which are all free,” says Huntley.
Part of that campaign includes outreach activities, such as setting up tables at malls and shopping centres up and down the Coast, and also hosting events, such as the upcoming memorial in Roberts Creek, as a way to help people remember those they’ve lost at this time of year.
“And since 2020, we've done a direct-mail campaign for this Lights of Life season and it's been really successful for us,” says Huntley. “But unfortunately, this year our direct-mail campaign has been held up by the postal strike, so there's no guarantee that they will actually get in people's mailboxes before Christmas.”
Money raised from the campaign goes towards a range of free palliative, hospice, grief and loss programs, advance-care planning and educational resources to support Coast residents. The hospice’s community of care includes volunteers, clients, donors, staff and local partners there to provide comfort, support and compassion to anyone facing a life-liming illness — and those who love them.
“Of course, we have no way of knowing how long the strike will go on and how that will impact things and there is still a possibility that it'll be resolved before the year end,” says Huntley. “But this is a time when people think about charities for annual giving and it would be such a shame if we were not able to get the message out to people in time for them to make their donations.
"So, we're really concerned on how this might impact us in our ability to offer the range of programs that we do, the grief groups and day programs, the palliative day program, our support to people, individually, in their homes and in the community.”
Huntley added, they’ve been fortunate this year to have a donor willing to match funds up to $10,000.
“So, that means these gifts will have twice the impact. But we have to get the message out to people in order for that to be successful,” says Huntley.
And, while the donor wished to remain anonymous, they did provide a comment to share.
"We have long believed that hospice is an essential part of the healthcare system. Through the work of the dedicated volunteers and staff, we have an amazing hospice program in our community. This is an important time to support our volunteers and staff with the resources that they need to continue their excellent work."
Ellen Adelberg, president of the board of directors for Sunshine Coast Hospice says, after five years in her position, she continues to be amazed and inspired by how much the hospice programs and services benefit people who are facing a life-limiting illness, their caregivers, people who are dying and those who love them.
“I am thrilled that an anonymous member of our community has stepped up with a gift-matching donation to help hospice maximize this year-end fundraising campaign,” she says. “As a volunteer and donor, it’s great to see how much the work of the organization is valued.”
Donate
Look for Sunshine Coast Hospice volunteers at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons, Nov. 28 to Dec. 4, Trail Bay Centre in Sechelt, Dec., 5 to 11, the Gumboot Café in Roberts Creek, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Pender Harbour Community Club, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Mission Point Park at Davis Day on Jan. 1, for the annual Lighting of the Memories, starting at 1 p.m.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Sunshine Coast Hospice can do so at any of the activities listed above, by phone at 604-740-0475 or online.
Words missing in article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
