The Heart of Hastings Hospice Hosts Successful Handbags for Hospice Signature Event

Our Handbags Committee

The Heart of Hastings Hospice proudly hosted its Annual Signature Event, Handbags for Hospice, presented by Chrome Supply Warehouse on May 9th at the Stirling Curling Club. This much-anticipated 'ladies' night' drew supporters from across the Hastings and Quinte area, gathering over 275 attendees for an evening of camaraderie and charitable giving.

"We were thrilled to once again align this event with Mother's Day," expressed Pauline Pietschmann, Fundraising and Awareness Coordinator at The Heart of Hastings Hospice. "Bringing people together to support such a meaningful cause while celebrating motherhood was truly heartwarming. It was an unforgettable night."

The community rallied around the event, showcasing overwhelming support, with funds raised vital to sustaining essential free programs and services.

Highlights of the evening included a lively live auction featuring high-end getaways and designer purses, complemented by the captivating performance of J.P. Baldwin, in collaboration with Stirling Festival Theatre. Guests also enjoyed a silent auction featuring exquisite handbags, premium home essentials, and experience packages, along with generous donations from local businesses, a Goddess Gift draw, and the ever-exciting Golden Ticket opportunity. Attendees indulged in charcuterie boards, fine wine, sweets, and more.

Pietschmann emphasized, "We were keen to reintroduce signature elements while infusing fresh excitement into this year's event."

The Incredible team of volunteers

The Fund-A-Need segment exceeded expectations, raising over $30,000, surpassing the initial goal. These funds will contribute to acquiring a third and final patient cuddle bed. These specialized beds cater to the emotional, physical, spiritual, and psychological needs of patients, providing a comforting space for intimate moments with loved ones during their time in hospice. While the total funds raised are still being tallied, organizers anticipate a record breaking total of over $100,000 was raised, surpassing the initial $95,000 goal, thanks to the unwavering support of sponsors and attendees.

Heart of Hastings Hospice is a community-based volunteer service offering in-home palliative care in the Central Hastings area and operates a 24-hour, newly expanded three-bed residential hospice home for individuals nearing the end of life. All services are provided free of charge, dedicated to addressing the holistic needs of each individual and their families, extending support through grief and bereavement services.

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the generous and community-minded supporters and attendees who wholeheartedly believe in the significance of Hospice's work," added Pietschmann.

For more information on the vital community programs offered, visit Heartofhastingshospice.ca.

Tim Hortons announces first-ever national Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign

Madoc & Marmora Tim Hortons Locations

will support The Heart of Hastings Hospice

and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps

From Nov. 13 to Nov. 19, Tim Hortons in Madoc & Marmora is kicking off the holiday season with smiles and kindness with its first ever national Holiday Smile Cookie campaign, where 50 per cent of proceeds are donated The Heart of Hastings Hospice, and 50 per cent of proceeds to Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

“For over 25 years, our guests have enjoyed rallying with us during every Smile Cookie campaign to raise important funds for charities and community groups close to home,” says Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer at Tim Hortons.

“We decided there’s no better time than the holiday season to continue this tradition in a new way and we’re excited that Holiday Smile Cookies will also support Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, which since 1974 has supported over 315,000 youth at its seven Tims Camps. We know our guests across Canada will be thrilled to help us support the spirit of kindness this holiday season.”

The Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie is a delicious, white chocolate chip sugar cookie that’s infused with red and green sprinkles and adorned with a hand-decorated smile. Tims Holiday Smile Cookies are a great treat to share with family members, friends and colleagues who can join in on giving back to their communities, one cookie a time.

We are so grateful to be selected by Katie Moore and her team at The Madoc & Marmora locations for this exciting campaign”, said Pauline Pietschmann, Fundraising and Awareness Coordinator at The Heart of Hastings Hospice. “We are looking forward to helping at the store fronts and hope to see many supporters at these two locations Nov 13-19th.

Visit https://www.heartofhastingshospice.ca/holidaysmilecookies for more information on the Holiday Smile Cookie campaign.

ABOUT TIM HORTONS

In 1964, the first Tim Hortons® restaurant in Hamilton, Ontario opened its doors and Canadians have been ordering Tim Hortons iconic Original Blend coffee, Double-Double™ coffees, Donuts and Timbits® in the years since. Over the last 55 years, Tim Hortons has captured the hearts and taste buds of Canadians and has become synonymous with serving Canada's favourite coffee. Tim Hortons is Canada's largest restaurant chain operating in the quick service industry with nearly 4,000 restaurants across the country. More than a coffee and bake shop, Tim Hortons is part of the Canadian fabric and guests can enjoy hot and cold specialty beverages – including lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, teas and our famous Iced Capps® – alongside delicious breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, soups and more. Tim Hortons has more than 5,400 restaurants in Canada, the United States and around the world. For more information on Tim Hortons visit TimHortons.ca

For further information: mediainquiries@timhortons.com

Children Grieve Too

“For adults grief is like wading through this enormous river

whereas for children it's puddle jumping,

but when they're in that puddle it's no different to the river.”

- Julie Stokes, Winston’s Wish

Have you ever been to a funeral where there are children present? Generally you can see them playing tag around the casket, or playing as though they have no concept of where they are. To adults this appears that they do not feel grief, at least not in the same way or magnitude that adults feel it. If you take nothing else away from this little musing of mine, please take away from this that children grieve also… it just looks different.

Beginning in utero and continuing until our mid-twenties, the human brain is continuously growing, and changing. Genetics and experience combine to mould our brains into what they will be in adulthood. What that means is that like their tiny bodies, their tiny brains are ever changing growing and adapting to the world around them.

In Brief: The Science of Early Childhood Development (harvard.edu)

How the Brain Develops | Psychology Today

Julie Stokes in the above quote from the amazing UK organization Wintson’s Wish (www.winstonswish.org) describes children’s grief brilliantly. Children jump in and out of grief, as if they take it for as long as they can handle, and then distract themselves with play, however when they are in that grief, their grief is intense. Unlike in adulthood where we deal with grief usually as a large chunk, children experience grief through each developmental stage of their lives. This is especially true for close deaths. A child who loses a parent in early childhood, may appear to come to terms with the loss easily, however they will experience that grief throughout their lives and at different stages such as when they attend school and see other children with both parents, and for important events. It’s important for those who love these children to be prepared for this and to love and embrace them. This is normal, not awesome, but normal.

November 16, 2023 is Children’s Grief Awareness Day. Children's Grief Awareness Day (childrensgriefawarenessday.org). I would like to propose, as caring adults we shed a light on something that does not receive nearly enough attention. Let’s talk about children’s grief, heck let’s normalize conversations about death and grief.

What I am asking you to do is take part in The Children’s Grief Awareness Day. How do you do this? Download the Children’s Grief Awareness Day Pledge childrensgriefawarenessday.org/cgad2/pdf/bubble.pdf