Stratford hospice to be named after Rotary Rotarians from across Perth County, Canada are working to raise a combined $1 million for the estimated $7.5 million 10-bed hospice which will be the sesquicentennial project of the club.
In recognition of the Rotary Club of Stratford’s (Ontario, Canada – D 6330) support and efforts in helping to raise money for a residential hospice, the planned facility will be named the Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice.
Initiated by the club four years ago, the Rotary club has pledged $400,000 to the project over a 10-year-period and has been a significant source of both leadership and volunteers.
In addition, Rotarians from across Perth County are working to raise a combined $1 million for the estimated $7.5 million 10-bed hospice.
“We’re thrilled to be recognised for our contribution of funds and volunteer hours to this important project,” said Linda Bathe, President of the Rotary Club of Stratford, in a press release.
“It’s heartening to also see the other Rotary clubs in the county adding their support.”
“The Stratford Rotary Club has decided the hospice will be our sesquicentennial project. We’ll be making a major donation for the next 10 years and our club members will provide all the help they can,” she said.
“Right from the beginning, we recognised that building a residential hospice would need to be a project embraced by the whole community, and the community has not let us down.”
On September 16, a portion of the proceeds from the Stratford Rotary Dragon Boat Festival – the club’s biggest fundraiser – will also go to the hospice project.
“Rotary had clearly demonstrated their support for the hospice over the last few years, and now with this massive financial commitment, how could we not recognise them by putting their name on such a great project for our community,” said Andy Werner, Chair of the Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice board.
“We look forward to other organisations, businesses and individuals in the community stepping up to make this a reality.”
So far, more than $2.5 million has been raised for the Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice, including a donation of $1.5 million from the City of Stratford, the $400,000 pledge from the Rotary Club of Stratford, and around $600,000 in private and public donations.
The hospice in Stratford will be built beside Greenwood Court on land leased to the project for one dollar annually by Tri-County Mennonite Homes.
The hospice will offer comfort and compassionate care to people in the final stages of life, as well as to their families.
There will be room for family members to stay overnight, unlimited visitation, no loud paging systems and specialised care. All services offered at the hospice will be free.
Construction on the hospice is expected to begin next spring.
Source: stratfordbeaconherald.com
