Hike in your hood for Stedman hospice
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Supporters of Stedman Community Hospice are being encouraged to take a hike in their hoods.
This year’s Hike For Hospice, postponed in May because of COVID-19, takes place Aug. 15 to 23. But, unlike past years, participants will be hiking along their favourite trails or in their neighbourhoods to raise money for the hospice.
“With health-care facilities still in lock down, social distancing measures in place and public gatherings limited to 100 people, we’re not able to host the large gathering of hikers on our grounds as we’ve done in previous years,” said Julie Powell, president and CEO, of St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation, the official fund-raising organization for the hospice.
“But we’re thrilled that we’re able to morph the event into a new virtual format and we’ve taken steps to encourage participation by incorporating lots of online fun, including new contests and lots of prizes.”
Hikers are being encouraged to take photographs and enter them into a contest, which includes categories such as most scenic hike and best pooch partner.
As well, a random winner will be selected from all photos shared on the hospice Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StedmanHospice/ .
“While we can’t be together in person, we can certainly be together online by sharing our hike experience,” Powell said. “Posting photos around contest themes with the chance of winning a prize makes the event fun for everyone.
“To show our gratitude to all who sign up, we will be mailing a $10 gift card to everyone who registers for the event. Directly from the registration page, participants have a choice of selecting either a restaurant card or supermarket card.”
COVID 19 has had a major effect on local fundraising organizations with donations to the hospice dropping off significantly in the first few weeks of the pandemic.
The drop in donations is being attributed to large numbers of people being laid off or losing their jobs. Without the influx of donations that normally occur in April and May through the Hike for Hospice fundraiser, total donations were a fraction of what they were during the same period last year, Powell said.
Last year’s Hike for Hospice raised $338,000 and organizers, prior to the postponement in May had set a target of $350,000 for this year’s event.
Organizers haven’t set a target for this year’s event because it is a new initiative and it’s difficult to determine how much support it will generate.
By revising the format to meet pandemic safety guidelines and by infusing some fun activities, Powell said she hopes Hike In Your ‘Hood will be a big hit with the community and a successful fundraiser for the hospice
“So often, when patients arrive at the hospice, their finances have been exhausted because of their illness,” Powell said. “Many have lost their income because they were too sick to work, while having added expenses such as gas and parking fees that come with travelling out of town for treatment. “Many require mobility aids and prescription drugs that aren’t covered by insurance.”
She said the list of expenses can be long and patients and their families are relieved when they discover the care provided at at the hospice is cost-free.
“Hike In Your ‘Hood will allow us to raise funds so that we can continue to provide Hospice programming at no cost to families.”
In addition to the prizes given to photo contest winners, the hike includes big prizes for top fundraisers. The top individual fundraiser will receive the package, consisting of a $1,000 travel certificate, courtesy of Via Rail, plus a 50-inch Samsung 4K TV, courtesy of FM Audio Video, valued at $650. The top youth fundraiser, aged 17 and younger, will receive $1,000 cash, courtesy of Brant Mechanical Inc.
The top team will receive a $1,000 dining gift card, courtesy of The Keg Steakhouse and Bar. A full list of prizes can be viewed at stedmanhike.ca/prizes. To register for Hike In Your ‘Hood, visit stedmanhike.ca .
This year’s hike ambassador is Anderson Whitehead, last year’s top youth fundraiser, a huge supporter of the hospice and a well-known Montreal Canadiens fan. He is challenging everyone aged 17 and younger to register for this year’s event and raise money to help people like his mom, Laura McKay, who died at the hospice in 2018 after a battle with cancer.
Shortly after his mom passed away, Anderson’s family arranged a surprise meeting with his hero, Canadiens’ goaltender Carey Price.
A video of their meeting went viral, receiving over a million views on YouTube, turning the then-11-year-old into an overnight sensation.
This year, Anderson recorded his own video for the hospice, which can be viewed on the Stedman Community Hospice Facebook page.
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