To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the 100 Mile District Hospice Palliative Care Society decided to put a memorial bench in the District of 100 Mile House Memorial Garden next to the cemetery.
Noting the Hospice Society started in 1985, society president Bill Rose says they decided to do something in commemoration of 30 years of service in the community.
“We decided to get a commemorative bench set up at the Memorial Garden.”
Rose explains the Hospice Society had to buy the bench through the District.
“They do all the work, get it built and installed and we paid them.”
The total cost was $1,624.
“We started a fundraiser and put a few notices out that we had this bench we had to pay for, so at the various venues they attended, we had a box set up, explained what it was for and took donations.
“People were donating cash and a few companies came forward and gave us some money. As of Nov. 10, we had enough money through donations to pay for the bench.”
Rose says the bench is just inside the gate of the Memorial Garden.
“People can go in, sit down and just relax. They can rest and contemplate their thoughts while visiting their loved ones.”
The plaque on the bench reads: "100 Mile Hospice Society To Honour 100 Mile Hospice & All Those Served In The Past And Future."
Hospice facts
• Hospice focuses on quality of living when a cure is no longer an option.
• When physical and emotional needs are sensitively me, the journey toward death – though always difficult – can be a rich experience that gives meaning and completeness to life.
• Hospice is a community-based, non-profit society that provides trained volunteers to offer social, emotional and spiritual support to people living with, or dying from, an advanced illness and also for their family.
• Hospice services and support are also offered to family members through their grief. There is no cost for Hospice services.
Volunteers and training
• Hospice volunteers are community people from various walks of life who are involved because they care.
• They complete a 30-hour training program as well as attending monthly skill enhancement sessions.
• Volunteers listen without judging. They can help people locate community services.
• They can hear life stories.
• They relieve the family caregivers for short periods of time.
• Volunteers work with palliative care clients and their families in their homes, in Acute Care and Residential Care.
Folks can become a Friend of Hospice for a $5 annual donation and receive a butterfly pin and three newsletters a year. To become a friend, call the hospice office at 250-395-7680.
General donations help to support the Hospice Society’s program and services.
Memorial donations in the memory of a loved one are used to purchase specialized palliative care equipment for home and facility use.
The society office is in the South Cariboo Health Centre, behind the 100 Mile District General Hospital, at 555 Cedar Avenue; Phone: 250-395-7680 (voice messages are responded to promptly); Fax: 250-395-765; e-mail: 100milehospice@shawbiz.ca; and Web: www.100miledistricthospice.org.