Halfway to home

Hospice Chair Birgit Langwisch (left) joins Lyle and Sharon Vanclief in unveiling the Lighting the Way Campaign. It was announced that the Vancliefs had been appointed honourary co-chairs of the fundraising campaign.

Hospice set to care for its first residents this June

The Hospice Prince Edward residential hospice project is looking to open its doors to its first resident this June. To do this, the organization must raise $875,000 toward the renovation of the Picton home. The good news is that through the generosity of the community, the hospice is more than halfway there.

The announcement that a house had been found was made at the Autumn Leaves Gala in the fall of 2012 and the purchase was made final by December.

Organizers gathered on Monday to kick off the “Lighting the Way” campaign with the goal of completing the renovations and developing the programming.

The plans transforming the former residential home, at 40 Downes Ave, into a modern three-bed hospice were developed by Ernie Margetson, and the renovations will be done by Loyalist Contractors, keeping the work local.

The announcement of the honourary Chairs, former MP Lyle Vanclief and his wife Sharon Vanclief was accompanied by the announcement of the campaign Chair as Mark Davis who holds the task of leading the fundraising team.

Picton Rotary stepped up with a big cheque toward the Hospice
campaign of $100,000. From left to right are: Hospice Chair Birgit
Langwisch; Mark Davis, chair of the Lighting the Way campaign; Kirsten Musgrove, President of Picton Rotary; Rick Jones Vice President Picton Rotary; and, Nancy Parks, Executive Director Hospice Prince Edward.

“The funds raised to date, and the funds yet required, will be used to cover the cost of the home itself, the renovations, which have been clearly and carefully analyzed and planned, sufficient parking complete with landscaping, and furnishings to provide comfort for patients, staff, volunteers and family members,” said Davis, on Monday.

“The budget contains a plan for two-year ongoing sustainability, as well as a component for unforeseen and expanded services to the community. This will be a campaign of transparency— we are only looking to raise what is absolutely required to complete the task. Today marks the start of our capital campaign, and there will indeed be an end when the goal has been achieved.”

The campaign Chair immediately recognized the contribution of The Rotary Club of Picton who contributed an entrusted legacy of $100,000, and by so doing tipping the campaign over the $450,000 halfway point.