Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
For one evening, volunteers and staff at Hospice Lennox and Addington had a chance to stop and reflect last Tuesday the service they provided over the past year.
They likely couldn’t pause much longer given the demand for the palliative care and bereavement they offer local families.
In her report at the organization’s annual general meeting, executive director Kim Sunstrum said demand for programs — home visiting, in particular — was up substantially again last fiscal year.
“Over the past five years, there has been a 126-per-cent increase in the number of clients we have supported with our home visiting program, a 40-per-cent increase in the last year alone.”
Combining home visiting and bereavement, Hospice L&A supported 301 clients last year, with its volunteers offering over 5,000 hours of service free of charge to families.
Other programming, including an equipment loan cupboard, a resource library, and a hospital bed loan program as well as support initiatives for caregivers, hospital patients and families were also well used.
The hospital bed program itself has helped 46 families save over $54,000 in rentals in four years.
Sunstrum added the caregiver support program was a new pilot last year, funded by TransCanada and the Town of Greater Napanee.
Sunstrum thanked all those who have helped Hospice L&A to fulfill its mandate and meet rising need that likely will continue to grow in the coming years.
“It is thanks to the support of our clients, their families, our donors, community partners, our board of directors, and of course our volunteers that we are able to adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of our community.”
Board chair Frank Hamper, himself a 10-year Hospice L&A volunteer, offered a salute to volunteers, whom he called “the backbone of our organization.” While he said they each bring different personalities, motivations, and approaches, collectively they make a big difference.
“In my travels around the community, I hear stories of genuine appreciation from people whose lives have been touched by your gentleness and compassion,” he said.
Hamper also credited staff for their leadership in providing a “standard of care that’s next to none.”
Several volunteers were recognized Tuesday with service pins reflective of the years they’ve given. Hospice L&A also revealed Len Fardella as the latest inductee into the June Callwood Circle of Outstanding Volunteers, a special award given annually by members of Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO).
Named after a noted hospice advocate and Order of Canada recipient, the award has been presented to just 706 people across Ontario since 1995.
Sunstrum said in just three years of volunteering, Fardella has made a marked impact on Hospice L&A.
“He embraced his learning opportunities and gained much experience in facilitating bereavement support groups as well as providing therapeutic touch,” she said. “He’s always willing to help.”
Sunstrum said Fardella delivers equipment, helps facilitate support groups, and visits his own clients, often supporting several people at one time.
“His calm, gentle presence is one of care and compassion,” Sunstrum concluded, stating Hospice L&A was honoured to make the induction official.
Fardella said he became involved in hospice work by chance. When he owned Len’s Bakery, he got thinking about what to do with his retirement. Someone from Hospice L&A visited and suggested he try it out. Once he sold the business, he took that suggestion and found it to his liking.
“I love the interaction with people. It’s really fulfilling,” he said.
Fardella acknowledged visiting with people at end-of-life and their families can be a difficult situation, but added “I think the good far outweighs the bad.”
Recently, he’s taken on the task of visiting end-of-life patients at Lennox and Addington County General Hospital. That environment might not allow the type of relationship building regular home visiting offers, but Fardella said the people has met are memorable.
“Even though you only get to know them for a few days, they still have an impact on you.”
Fardella said he was surprised to learn about the award — which was originally presented at the HPCO conference in Toronto in April — and said he had to Google Callwood to learn all about her.
Looking ahead, he says he hopes to volunteer with Hospice L&A for years to come. Even with all he does, he said his retirement has not been busy enough.
Another highlight of the annual general meeting was the acceptance of new organizational bylaws.
Avid Hospice L&A supporters Patricia Dafoe, left, and Josh Dafoe, right, of The Co-operators present a $1,750 donation to board chair Frank Hamper and executive director Kim Sunstrum during last week’s annual meeting. Photo by Adam Bramburger.
Also Tuesday, Hospice L&A got another nice gift from some of its most committed backers as The Co-operators agents Patricia Dafoe and Josh Dafoe brought a $1,750 corporate donation. Sunstrum said Pat Dafoe has contributed over $20,000 since 2011.
“She has not only promoted and financially supported our events — and, in particular our golf tournament which has grown every year — but she’s been an advocate for hospice services and how those services have grown within our community,” Sunstrum said.
This year alone, that golf tournament raised over $22,000, which is a big boost for an organization that receives partial funding through the South East Local Health Integration Network for home visiting, but must rely on donations for the bulk of an annual budget exceeding $200,000.
Hospice L&A is also gearing up for one of its major fundraisers next week as Jamie Cybulski and Dave Pinnell Jr. hit the Napanee Golf and Country Club links July 4 for their seventh annual Longest Day of Golf. Donations can be made at landahospice.ca.