The eighth annual Hike for Hospice – Hospice Huntsville’s largest fundraiser of the year – has so far raised $61,630, with donations still coming in from corporate matching, the purple boots scattered around town and the purple painted pedicure campaign. The fundraising goal for this year’s hike was $55,000 and the growing total makes it the most successful hike yet.
Hike for Hospice Huntsville kicks off each year with the Purple Tea Party at Huntsville Place Mall and continues throughout April with the purple boot campaign, in which people can drop their spare change in the purple boots placed around town, and the purple painted pedicure campaign, during which a portion of proceeds from pedicures at participating local spas are donated to the cause. It all culminates with the hike in May during National Hospice Palliative Care Week.
Hospice Huntsville board president Gord Schakelaar opened the hike with these words: “As we look at our sign behind me it says “Sharing the Journey”. Thank you for the opportunity to share the journey you have taken with your friends and loved ones as we have welcomed them to Algonquin Grace. In the 14th century, a journey meant a trip of six days or longer, a desert travel. A modern definition would be a trip without regard to how long it takes. It didn’t matter how long the journey was, 106 residents have journeyed with us last year, thank you for allowing us to travel your journey with you. Thank you to all of you for joining us today.”
More than 200 people participated in the hike, which began from a new venue – River Mill Park – this year. It was a snowy Sunday, but spirited purple costumes brightened the day and a warm-up led by Motivations Fitness got everyone moving. One Hospice Huntsville volunteer, Judy, described the scene like this: “On a damp, chilly day it was very heartwarming to look out and see the crowd of purple-clad hikers at River Mill Park. When the piper started to play Amazing Grace snow started falling…there were not many dry eyes in that crowd.”
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- Some of the members of Team Jean (back from left) Kaity Stele, Emma Taylor, Tamara McDonald, Brandon Taylor and (front) Audrianna Taylor
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- Who wouldn’t want to buy a t-shirt from the friendly Jane Weiland (left) and Sandra Young?
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- The registration table was full of smiling volunteers (from left) Judy White, Beth Ward, Melissa Pincoe, Jenna Hutchinson, Kylie Booth, Jennifer Nadrofsky, Brenda Wallis and Caryn Wainwright
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- Huntsville Doppler Published by Dawn Huddlestone Page Liked · 19 mins · Edited · (From left) Daloris Grohman, Lorrice Carruthers, Jamey Carruthers, and Kat Grohman with Stella the dog
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- Motivations Fitness got the hikers warmed up on a chilly day
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- Trophies await the top fundraisers
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- This year’s Hike for Hospice routes began at River Mill Park
“It’s our most successful hike to date, both in the number of participants and the amount raised,” said Melissa Polischuk, Hospice Huntsville’s fundraising and public relations coordinator. “We are overwhelmed at the amount of support we have received from the community, not only our corporate sponsors but every single participant that was there.”
Kudos to this year’s top Hike for Hospice fundraisers:
Jeannie McLennan, Top Individual Fundraiser
Team Jean, Top Fundraising Team
Team Jean & Mackenzie Investments, Top Team with Corporate Matching
Sponsors are a big part of the event, too. This year’s sponsors were: Muskoka Medical Centre Pharmacy and Kimberly-Clark (gold level sponsors); Devonleigh Homes, Dorset Timber Mart, Scotiabank, Robinson’s General Store, Dwight Market, and Greystone Project Management (silver level sponsors); and Telizon, MBRP, Kevin and Susan Billingsley, Dwight Lumber and Building Supply, and Chartwell Select Muskoka Traditions (bronze level sponsors).
The funds raised support Hospice Huntsville’s services and programs at Algonquin Grace Hospice. Hospice Huntsville is responsible for raising 50 per cent of its annual operating costs; the other 50 per cent comes from the Local Health Integration Network.
“All proceeds from Hike for Hospice stay in our community, ensuring that Hospice Huntsville’s vitally important services and programs continue to remain free of charge to those who need it most,” said Polischuk. “On behalf of all of our residents, clients, family members and caregivers that Hospice Huntsville has had the honour of serving, we sincerely appreciate every dollar raised, every volunteer hour given, every step that has made a difference! Thank you to our extended family of Hike participants, sponsors, donors, volunteers and the Hike for Hospice Committee who literally put their heart and ‘sole/soul’ into this fantastic event!”
Hospice Huntsville’s next fundraising event is the sixth annual Swim for Hospice, being held this year on Sunday, August 27. Learn more here.
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