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Spring begins with the announcement of Kalein’s first black-tie fundraising gala, to be held at the Hume Hotel on Thursday, May 2 at 6 p.m.
The event will explore death, grief, and living fully through the lens of dead poets, and features readings from local poets, dance by Miss Corinne and Slava Doval, vocal ensembles by Allison Girvan and a spoken word performance by poet Samuel Stevenson.
Local philanthropists Dave and Sheila Martin are generously donating the proceeds from the gala, in addition to contributing $10,000 to the Kalein Centre Endowment Fund.
“This substantial gift from the Martins allows us to rise to the challenge of meeting our community’s growing needs,” said Katie Macpherson, director of special projects and initiatives for Kalein Centre.
“We are dedicated to the development of programming that tends to the whole person and their families – and that involves leveraging education, expressive arts and compassionate companioning to foster a healthier approach towards death and dying.”
Funds raised through the gala and the endowment support Kalein’s initiatives and provide needed resources to pursue research for community-based approaches to end-of-life care. Past Kalein programs include the Day Hospice Pilot Project, the death café series as well as community engagement initiatives like the Liminal Learning Lab, Festival of Lights, and the popular Before I Die wall.
This year, Kalein will launch an inter-generational arts program entitled CLICK that will empower and promote leadership among youth and seniors through the medium of photography. In addition, Kalein is actively fundraising for Nav-CARE, a program in partnership with UBC that will provide persons with serious illness with in-home support and care.
“We feel extremely fortunate to have the Kalein Centre available to all of us,” Dave and Sheila Martin said in a prepared statement. “Not only does it have the most beautiful and peaceful setting, but it provides the very special care and compassion needed for end-of-life education and compassionate care that the institutions simply cannot give. By donating our funds through the Osprey Foundation for the Kalein Centre, we are assured that Kalein receives the necessary support.”
The impact of the Martins’ gift is amplified through the commitment of Kalein’s founder, Sandi Leatherman, and her husband Brooke, who pledged to match the Martin’s $10,000 donation in support of the Kalein Endowment Fund.
Tickets for the gala, which include a five-course meal and entertainment, are available at humehotel.com/spiritbar, by calling 250-352-5331, or visiting the Hume Hotel in person.
For more information about Kalein Centre, please visit kaleincentre.org. To donate to the Kalein Endowment Fund, visit ospreyfoundation.ca or call Katie Macpherson at 250-352-3331.