A little bit of dew on the ground was not going to stop Wendy Marlow from stepping onto grass for a cheque-presentation photo on Thursday morning outside the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home in Sahali.
“Especially at a time like this, where so much of our fundraising [and] thrift-store donations are down and people are hurting, it allows us to continue the best possible end-of-life care for our patients in Kamloops,” said Marlow, executive director of the Kamloops Hospice Association.
Rob Lemire, just getting his feet wet as president of the B.C. Interior Community Foundation, was on hand to deliver a cheque for $8,503.97 to the Kamloops Hospice Association.
“I’ve been a part of the board for four years,” said Lemire, who became president of the foundation about a month ago.
“Every year, it just amazes me how much great stuff is being done by the B.C. Interior Community Foundation. It was created by Kamloopsians who really care about the community. A lot of people don’t know about it and we really hope to change that because we’re giving back to the community every year.”
The BCICF accepts donations, which are placed in a secure endowment to generate interest and contribute to annual income, which is used to support charitable projects and programs.
Lemire said the foundation helps the community to the tune of about $400,000 per year.
The donation comes at a critical time for the hospice.
“It’s been tough. There’s no question,” Marlow said. “We’ve had to cancel our gala and our thrift store had to shut down for a time. Donations are down because of peoples’ situations with work and things.
“We’ve found some creative ways to keep things moving, through our wish list and donations. The community is generous. When you have a need, they will come forward.”
Fred Legace, chairperson of the KHA’s board of directors, and BCICF board member Hugh Fallis were pleased to be part of the donation process on Thursday, damp soles a small price to pay for a big cheque.
