Hospice Wedding

On Friday July 28th we hosted our very first Hospice Wedding. All it took was a request from a loving daughter, a little bit of magic from staff, and it was all pulled together in under 24 hours.

Bev and Danny had been together and engaged for a long time and after their 20+ years together they had not had a wedding. Bev’s daughter Cheryl expressed that she felt it would mean a lot to her mom and was her dying wish to be married to Dan before her time with him was over. Just like that hospice staff fell into action and made her wish come true. The couple had a small intimate bedside service in our ‘dragonfly room’. The room was beautifully decorated by Bev’s daughter Cheryl, there was music, a photographer, an officiant, a cake, snacks and refreshments, and she wore a beautiful wedding dress that her daughter had gotten for her. Cheryl, through tears of joy said that we are like “Disneyland for the dying” and that’s one of the greatest compliments we could have possibly received.

There were so many people who helped bring this day together that deserve to be acknowledged: Tristan Lindsay, grief and bereavement coordinator/wedding planner; Kaitlyn Erwin, Hospice Residence Manager/wedding planner; Lorna-Mae Palmateer, Photographer; Colleen MacAllister, musician; Padre W. White, Br. 428 Royal Canadian Legion, Tweed, Officiant; JoAnn Bacon, Flowers and Volunteer; Gerri Heath, Volunteer. This event was heartwarming and brought a tremendous amount of joy to all of the staff, volunteers, and family involved and it was an honour to be able to make this day happen for the Bride and Groom.

Charity Golf Tournament

The Heart of Hastings Hospice hosted its 15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, this past week. It was a fun filled day with incredible community support. The tournament - Presented by Team Denison, Remax Quinte was a huge success with 14 teams and 59 participants in attendance.

We were thrilled to have the weather hold for our tournament, making it a fun filled day in the sun. Mother Nature was good to us,” said Pauline Pietschmann, Fundraising and Awareness Coordinator at The Heart of Hastings Hospice. “

Community support around this event was high, and the funds raised were crucial to ensuring much-needed free programs and services continue. Some of the incredible sponsors at the event included Platinum Sponsor, Powell Powersports & Recreation, with new support from DC Farms and Bay Subaru.

Special guest, pro golf entertainer Todd Keirstead was on hand once again this year to entertain and help fundraise on Hole One with trick shots that impressed.

Final numbers are still being calculated, however it is expected that close to $18,000 was brought in at the event.

The Heart of Hastings Hospice is a community-based volunteer service that offers in-home palliative care to those in the Central Hastings area, as well as operating a 24hr, newly expanded 3 bed residential hospice home for those who are facing their end of life journey. All services are provided free of charge. Their work is dedicated to embracing the emotional, physical, spiritual and psychological needs of each and every individual they assist, as well as their families. The support continues, after death, through grief and bereavement services. “We are very grateful to the generous, community-minded supporters and participants, who wholeheartedly believe in the importance of the work of Hospice. “adds Pauline

2023 Handbags for Hospice Signature Event

The Heart of Hastings Hospice hosted its Annual Signature Event, at the Stirling Curling Club, this past week. It was the ‘ladies’ night’ that supporters from all over the Hastings and Quinte area attended. Handbags for Hospice- Presented by Beautiful Things for Charity was a huge success with over 260 guests in attendance. We were so excited to be back to our regular time slot of May, aligning with Mother’s Day once again,” said Pauline Pietschmann, Fundraising and Awareness Coordinator at The Heart of Hastings Hospice. “It has been three years of virtual and shuffling the date so having the opportunity to come together for an amazing cause while celebrating mothers was wonderful. It was an incredible night.”

Community support and the buzz around this event was high, and the funds raised were crucial to ensuring much-needed free programs and services continue. Some of the incredible sponsors at the event included Platinum Sponsor Chrome Supply Warehouse, Gold Sponsors, Trish Clarke, Royal LePage, Caressant Care, and IKO Industries.

Highlights of the evening included a live auction, offering high-end getaways, purses and the always-entertaining Layne The Auctionista. With that signature high-energy, entertainment that is irresistible and contagious. Other favourites included a silent auction of gorgeous handbags, high-end home essentials and experience packages, premium prizes donated by the local business community, a Goddess Gift draw, and the new Golden Ticket opportunity. Guests enjoyed charcuterie boards, wine, candy and more. “It was so important to bring all the signature items back while adding some new excitement as well this year,” added Pietschmann. The Fund A Need portion of the evening raised over $30,000, surpassing the initial goal with funds going towards expanding the Grief & Bereavement Program to help meet the increased demand from our communities. Total funds raised are still being tabulated, however it is expected the goal of $95,000 will be surpassed thanks to the incredible sponsors and generosity of the attendees. The Heart of Hastings Hospice is a community-based volunteer service that offers in-home palliative care to those in the Central Hastings area, as well as operating a 24hr, newly expanded 3 bed residential hospice home for those who are facing their end of life journey. All services are provided free of charge. Their work is dedicated to embracing the emotional, physical, spiritual and psychological needs of each and every individual they assist, as well as their families. The support continues, after death, through grief and bereavement services. “We are very grateful to the generous, community-minded supporters and attendees, who wholeheartedly believe in the importance of the work of Hospice.,“adds Pauline