Hospice society hosting series of fundraisers

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Now in its fourth year, the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society (WAHS) is just over one-third of the way to reaching the necessary $3 million in funds needed to create a local hospice facility, and they already have a large range of outreach programs implemented.
In an effort to draw the society a few steps closer towards their financial goal and to promote awareness about the hospice society, WAHS is holding a series of fundraisers this spring: Farming for Hospice Standard, Hike for Hospice and Steering for Hospice.

Farming for Hospice
Currently underway, Farming for Hospice in Standard is in its inaugural year – it gives donors the chance to “purchase” an acre of land worth of inputs for a crop.
Parflesh Farms has donated 160 acres to be farmed this year with all revenue from the crop going to WAHS. Parflesh Farms will do all the farming on the quarter section and the hospice society will contribute cash input costs for the seed, chemical, fertilizer, insurance and rent of the land – something that each donation will cover so the entire revenue from the crop will go towards the WAHS.
The group will be meeting in the next couple of weeks to determine what crop to plant, although it will probably be wheat. As long as the weather cooperates and the crop produces good yields, WAHS hopes to make a return between $60,000 to $100,000.
Each acre can be “purchased” for $300 to cover the costs of all inputs. Multiple or partial acres can also be bought depending on the donation you would like to make; a charitable receipt will be issued for donations.
There are still 140 acres left for sale, and people have the option of purchasing an acre – or more – right up to harvest this fall.
“Based on the success of this program we want to expand it to other communities in the region,” said Gerry Kroon, director for WAHS and part of the capital fundraising committee.
Donations can be made on the WAHS website at wheatlandhospice.ca by clicking on “ways to give” and then “donate now” before being directed to the hospice webpage within the Canada Helps website. Donors can select “donate now” or “donate monthly”, enter their desired amount and choose the “Farming for Hospice” fund. For more information, contact Kroon via phone at 403-471-6473.
Although the physical hospice facility will be built in Strathmore, the society was initially formed to assist and work in surrounding areas, from the borders of Chestermere all the way to Drumheller. Society members said it is important to include each community in fundraising opportunities as the facility and programs offered are for everyone in their health district.
“Not only does having events in the (different) communities get buy-in, but it also gets people more involved and it gets people more aware of what we’re doing,” said Kroon. “It gets more people aware of the project and not just building the hospice but the programs and services that we offer now.”
Those programs include Dying2Learn Wheatland, the Palliative Navigator, the Bedside Respite and No One Dies Alone.

Hike for Hospice
Another event to spread the word of hospice and their outreach programs is the second annual Hike for Hospice event on May 5.
The rain or shine event, which saw approximately 200 participants last year, is a great opportunity for the communities to learn more about the hospice.
With a goal of raising $30,000, anyone can participate as either an individual or team so long as they provide the $10 individual registration fee; kids under five years of age are free. Raising additional pledges to complete the walk around either Kinsmen Park lake or Gray’s Park is encouraged.
Registration forms and pledge sheets can be either downloaded and filled out online at the WAHS website, or by picking them up at Gray’s Ltd., Value Drug Mart or the town office, and handing them in on the day of the event. Registration begins at 12 noon with the walk commencing at 1 p.m. There will be prizes for the best individual and team costumes, as well as refreshments, health and wellness booths, and entertainment by various groups and by local country artist Drew Gregory.
“In the spirit of compassionate communities and working together, Wheatland and Area Hospice is gifting 50 per cent of the funds raised by hockey teams; if any of the local hockey teams put in a team to walk, 50 per cent of their funds will go back to Strathmore Minor Hockey. We’re kind of partnering with them because they had a little bit of rough times with the ATM being stolen,” said Shelly Stewart who is organizing the event, adding that by working together they hope to help each other and raise some much-needed funds for both organizations.

Steering for Hospice
The third event taking place is the third annual Steering for Hospice dinner and auction at the Carseland Hall on May 25.
“We are moving community to community because we are not only in Strathmore, we are getting support from all our communities,” said Judy McLean, secretary with WAHS. Next year, WAHS will host the gala in a different community.
The Cheadle Lions Club is helping plan the event that will follow a bit of a different format this year. Instead of auctioning off all the steers at the event, several will be available for auction through other formats such as online, before the actual event. In lieu of auctioning off all steers at the event, some other fun and unique items and trips will also be auctioned off.
The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. and the auction to follow. Tickets for the gala are $50 per person or $375 for a table of eight. They are available for pickup at Gray’s Ltd., by emailing info@wheatlandhospice.ca or calling 403-934-8199.