91原创 Hospice Society celebrated 40 years of service to local residents this weekend.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for each and every one of you who help us hold space for the community when they need us most,鈥� said executive director Shannon Todd Booth to volunteers, staff, and family members at the event on Saturday, Sept. 16.

She noted that the society鈥檚 nearly 300 volunteers contribute about 40,000 hours each year.

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen huge growth within the community, and I hope you know that we couldn鈥檛 do what we do without you,鈥� Todd Booth said in her speech.

Family members of former patients, volunteers, and staff also shared some of their stories to the small crowd that gathered to celebrate.

One volunteer shared her experience finding hospice after her husband passed away 11 years ago, and how she was supported through the depths of despair she, and her daughter, were going through.

Kathy Derksen, president of the society board of directors, shared the history of 91原创 hospice since it was founded in 1983.

鈥淲e have seen a steady growth in the number of our volunteers, and I think that鈥檚 such a magnificent part of the 鈥榖ig we鈥� that we are,鈥� Derksen said.

She added that she is grateful to the volunteers, donors, founders, and community for their engagement and support during the past 40 years.

鈥淚t鈥檚 because of the caring and compassion of the community we are a part of, that we can continue to ensure the development of and access to palliative and bereavement care for our growing community,鈥� Derksen added.

Hospice staff also read out messages from family members who received support from the society.

In honour of volunteers Thornton Smith, Dorscie Paterson, and Jane Hamar 鈥� who have sinced passed away 鈥� plaques were added to the memory garden at 91原创 hospice.

91原创 Township Councillor Kim Richter gave her thanks on behalf of the council.

鈥淚t is such an amazing thing that the hospice does for our community鈥� and you put so much of your heart and souls into making our community a better place 鈥� and for that we are so very grateful,鈥� Richter said.

MP for 91原创 Tako van Popta gave his thanks to hospice staff and volunteers.

鈥淢y family benefited from its services a couple years ago with the passing of my father-in-law, and I know how sensitive all the staff are to working with families in their time of need,鈥� van Popta shared.

John Aldag, MP for Cloverdale-91原创 City, also attended and offered congratulations on the work hospice has done through the last four decades.

鈥淚t feels surreal,鈥� said Todd Booth in an interview after the event. 鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 happen without every person who has been a part of the journey. Grateful, grateful, grateful.鈥�

During the next year, Todd Booth plans to focus on increasing volunteer capacity and training, and enriching the bereavement programs.

鈥�91原创 is special, and I think we are lucky to work here and provide services here,鈥� she concluded.

91原创 hospice is a non-profit organization that provides support to 91原创 residents to cope with grief, and provide end-of-life care.

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