50/50 Raffle: and the winner is…
Congratulations to Fay MacDonald who won our 50/50 draw with ticket# C-1545. Thank you to everyone who participated in the draw. Your support will go to the Townsend Smith Foundation.
Momentum Important to the Townsend Smith Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORTH HALTON, ONTARIO, September 06, 2023 – The largely volunteer operated charity Townsend Smith Foundation (TSF) is dedicated to building and operating a hospice residence in North Halton and seeing their fundraising efforts continue to build the needed momentum. Recently well-know business professional and philanthropist Teresa Fujarczuk agreed to join growing number of leadership volunteers tasked with raising the many millions of dollars needed to achieve what government euphemistically calls “the community share”.
Teresa joins a growing number of community leaders who have stepped up to help TSF secure the funds needed to build and operate a state-of-the-art hospice residence that will prioritize patient comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering but will also support the needs of family and friends in a caring environment.
“No major health care project including a hospice gets built without active community support demonstrated through fundraising”, noted Astrid Lakats, Chair of the Board of Directors for Townsend Smith Foundation. “While TSF is still in the planning stages based on recent similar projects in nearby communities TSF will have to raise millions of dollars, but the project is moving forward. Earlier this year TSF secured the land and planning permissions for a hospice residence approximately 5 kilometres north of the Town of Milton on Trafalgar Road”, added Lakats.
Those wishing to learn more about hospice care for North Halton, the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation, or to offer support through a generous gift or as a volunteer are encouraged to visit https://www.townsend-smith.ca/donate/.
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About Townsend Smith Foundation
Working vigorously since 2012, the Townsend Smith Foundation, TSF, is a registered charitable organization with a unique mandate to provide supports and education to those interested in hospice care, in the last stages of living, or bereaved. Our meaningful projects include free seminars to raise awareness for the need and benefit of hospice palliative care, support for caregivers, children and estate planning, group discussions of death through death cafes, and honouring those who have passed through an annual candlelight ceremony. TSF conducts research on hospice care and volunteers consistently engage our stakeholders on the need for compassionate end-of-life care in North Halton with a key objective being to raise funds to build hospice facilities in our community.
For further information at Townsend Smith Foundation please contact
Ms. Astrid Lakats, Chair, Board of Directors
alakats@townsend-smith.ca I 289.878.3407
Townsend Smith Foundation Fundraising Efforts Moving Forward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORTH HALTON, ONTARIO, June 8th, 2023 –The much-needed fundraising efforts for the Townsend Smith Foundation (TSF) took another step forward as former Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette agreed to volunteer his time and talents on the charity’s capital campaign leadership team.
“Having proudly served Halton Hills as Mayor for almost two decades I know how important the work of charities like the Townsend Smith Foundation are to our community. Townsend Smith Foundation’s dedicated team has and continues to work tirelessly to bring a critical health program, a hospice residence, to North Halton” shared Rick.
Rick joins a growing number of community leaders who have stepped up to help TSF raise the ‘community share’ that is needed to build and operate a state-of-the-art hospice residence.
“For leadership volunteers like Rick who know how to engage community-minded people and businesses the work on TSF’s capital campaign is likely just a couple of hours every few weeks, but the importance of the role and work can’t be understated”, shared TSF Board Chair, Astrid Lakats. “Like it or not, critical health care facilities like hospitals and hospices don’t get built without fundraising from the community” noted Lakats.
TSF has secured the necessary property and zoning at the corner of Trafalgar and 5 Sideroad and now needs to raise the millions of dollars to build the hospice residence in the community. TSF’s goal is to offer the type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient’s pain and symptoms. It will also attend to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. The charity fully understands that under current provincial guidelines more beds will be needed as soon as possible.
TSF’s hospice care will prioritize patient comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering but will also support the needs of family and friends in a supportive environment.
Those wishing to learn more about hospice care for North Halton, the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation, or to offer support through a generous gift or as a volunteer are encouraged to visit https://www.townsend-smith.ca/donate/.
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About Townsend Smith Foundation
Working vigorously since 2012, the Townsend Smith Foundation, TSF, is a registered charitable organization with a unique mandate to provide the supports and education to those interested in hospice care, in the last stages of living, or bereaved. Our meaningful projects include free seminars to raise awareness for the need and benefit of hospice palliative care, support for caregivers, children and will planning, group discussions of death through death cafes, and honouring those who have passed through candlelight ceremony. TSF conducts research on hospice care and volunteers consistently engage our community on hospice care and its needs in North Halton with a key objective being to raise funds to build hospice facilities in North Halton.
For further information at Townsend Smith Foundation please contact
Ms. Theresa Greer, Executive Director
bod@townsend-smith.ca I 289.878.3407
For further information at Townsend Smith Foundation please contact
Ms. Astrid Lakats, Chair, Board of Directors
bod@townsend-smith.ca I 289.878.3407
Warm Feelings For The Hospice Experience
My story involves the Ian Anderson House hospice in Oakville. My husband Gary was transferred to Ian Anderson House for his final two weeks of care before he died of a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour.
I was caring for him at home and finding it increasingly difficult because he could not walk or speak, and he could also not lift his body to help with daily functions. We were so lucky to be admitted to the hospice because at that time there were only six or seven beds, and the only other hospice nearby was Carpenter House in Burlington, and it was full.
When we arrived, Gary was made clean and comfortable and began smiling again, even though he knew that his time on earth was quickly approaching. The staff at Ian Anderson were so compassionate and kind. They encouraged me to let them take care of Gary and for me to just relax and be there for him.
The room was so bright and comfortable, and the atmosphere was calm and quiet. Volunteers would come by to see if they could bring me a cup of tea and some cookies. We were allowed guests at any time and there was no limit as to the number of visitors. My daughter’s little dog was even allowed to come and lay on his bed.
The nursing staff let me know what to watch for as the end was nearing so that I was able to stay overnight with him and be there when he finally succumbed. There were no interventions, and it was a calm, gentle leaving with his loved ones at his side.
I have nothing but warm feelings for the hospice experience and we desperately need one in Milton. It is where I want to be at the end of my life, and I encourage everyone to support the fundraising efforts of the Townsend-Smith Foundation.
– Margaret Jones
Choices in Life and Death
When we are born, we have no say in the circumstances surrounding our birth. Some of us arrive in a hospital surrounded by bright lights, medical equipment, and highly educated professionals. Some arrive at home in an inflatable pool with family, a midwife or doula to welcome us. A few even arrive in the back of a car! But when it comes to our death, I would like to think we should have a little more say in our departure from this life if at all possible.
When my friend was at the end of her life, after valiantly living with colon cancer for a few years, she was fortunate enough to be able to make the decision to go to a wonderful hospice in Guelph for her final days. It was a few minutes’ drive away. She loved her husband, son, three daughters, baby granddaughter, and two dogs. She loved her home. But she was tired and didn’t want them to be responsible for her last days. She needed their love not their untrained ‘nursing’ abilities. She needed them strong not stressed, well rested not exhausted. She took great comfort in knowing that they could come whenever and for as long as they wanted, and the baby could be with her as fit the baby’s schedule. Her friends were welcome, the staff was warm, friendly, and well trained in the special needs at end of life. There was food and hot drinks, and all was calm. It was the best solution for her and for all of us who loved her.
Without a hospice the choice is twofold, stay home and it all falls on your family, or go to hospital where your family takes on visitor status, with paid parking, regulated hours and limits on numbers. Hospice should be available as the third choice. North Halton needs this facility, and the Townsend Smith Foundation needs our support to make it a reality. Come out on May 13th to hike with us or lend us your financial support and we’ll hike for you and for all our future ‘dying days’.
– Bonnie Walsh