Lace up your shoes! The Sixth Annual Hike for Hospice in North Halton is on Saturday, May 13.
This long running event is in support of the Townsend Smith Foundation and will raise funds and awareness for a sorely needed hospice in the North Halton Area.
This year, there are two locations for the hike:
- the Milton Community Park, at 805 Santa Maria Blvd. in Milton;
- and the playground at the Wallace Street Parkette, in Acton.
Both hikes will start at 10 a.m.
“Nothing deters our supporters!” said former Board Chair John Barrett. “In 2019, 60 hikers came out to the Milton Community Park in torrential rain, and after coffee and donuts, had a ton of fun, in spite of the soaking. During Covid, we thought there would be a decline, but hikers walked solo or in their household bubbles, and we raised even more money. It was very encouraging.”
Over $100,000 has been raised so far, and all of it stays in the North Halton community.
“It’s our goal to continue spreading the word in our communities,” said Hike Chair Jean Howden. “As soon as people find out about this project, they want to help.”
Hospices provide a home-like atmosphere and compassionate end-of-life care to their residents and the people who love them. Operating costs are about a third of those for a hospital bed, but the majority of the funding comes from the community, not from government.
Townsend Smith Foundation is a trusted charitable community health care partner that has successfully operated for over a decade. It is the lead charitable agency providing critical financial support in building a community-based hospice residence in North Halton.
“Townsend Smith Foundation started off in Milton, and we are excited to see the growing interest in Georgetown and Acton,” commented Board Director and community strategist Beatrice Sharkey. “This hospice will serve all of North Halton. It’s a hardship on families to have to travel to visit a loved one who is dying. The more central our location, the better.”
Hike for Hospice promises to be a fun day of activity and community for all ages. The local radio station and fire station are coming out to provide entertainment for all in attendance.
Townsend Smith Foundation is largely run by volunteers, and finding, funding, and getting zoning approval for a suitable building site, at Trafalgar Road and 5 Sideroad, has been a huge achievement. Next steps include engaging an architect and doing community consultations.
The hope is to have the hospice built and the doors open within the next four years. However, timing for construction is totally dependent on raising the funds. It takes a community fundraising effort to build a hospice. Board Vice-Chair, Margaret Doma, said, “This is a journey of many hands and many hearts.”
Please come out and be part of that journey. You can register as an individual or as part of a team.
Registration is just $25 and you can register online or in person on the day of the event.
Find out more through the Townsend Smith Website, under Hike for Hospice here.
