Local hospices selling goodie bags to help families create unique keepsakes
Two local hospices are selling festive goodie bags with the proceeds going towards a program that creates lasting memories for families before their loved one passes.
Innisfree House in Kitchener and Lisaard House in Cambridge are palliative care centres for residents who often only have months to live. To take part in ‘Sweethearts for Hospice’, the public can purchase $20 goodie bags. The hospices said they worked with local artisans to fill the bags with treats, promotional offers and handmade candles.
“Charitable dollars have been declining so we had to think of something new and different,” said executive director Andrea Binkle.
Binkle said the funds raised will go towards the ‘Art from the Heart’ legacy program. It helps the families create unique keepsakes like fingerprint family trees or photographs.
“We record the heartbeat of the individual who is dying, and our music therapist puts it to music,” Binkle said. “This is their way to be remembered and know in their last breaths that the family will remember.”
Lauren Kells said she will never forget her father who was a resident at Innisfree House for three weeks. She got a plaster cast hand mould as her keepsake before he passed.
She returned to Innisfree to donate handmade candles that will be a part of the goodie bags.
“I feel honoured,” Kells said.
She said it’s been an emotional time for her but it’s the least she could do to help with the fundraiser.
“It might feel like a small gesture buying a goodie bag but it’s just giving family so many opportunities, for families like mine, that we are forever thankful for,” she said.
The public has until Feb. 10 to purchase a goodie bag to be delivered for Valentine’s Day. But the impact of gifting to grieving families is a priceless keepsake.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.