Submitted by the Nelson Hospice Society
Nelson Hospice is very pleased that Jennifer Lount-Taylor has generously donated to the Nelson Hospice endowment fund at the Osprey Community Foundation.
Jennifer said that she feels it is important for the community to recognize and support “all the essential emotional, spiritual and practical support services the Nelson and District Hospice Society’s dedicated leaders and selfless volunteers have so generously offered for over 35 years to the many in our magical community in need of compassionate care and understanding as they journey through their overwhelming grief of lost loved ones or their own terminal or life-threatening illnesses.”
Jennifer also hopes to inspire others to support the organization’s valuable work by making contributions either directly to Nelson Hospice at www.nelsonhospice.org or by contributing to the Nelson Hospice endowment fund.
Government funding only covers 20 per cent of Nelson Hospice’s annual operational budget. The balance of funds needed to provide valuable supportive care in our community is raised through grants, community supporters and interest from this endowment.
Endowment funds can help Nelson Hospice build stable income support far into the future to fund the many programs it provides. These include grief support in groups and one-on-one, day hospice programs, and bedside hospice support and respite in homes, care facilities or in hospital.
In addition, the income from this endowment will help Nelson Hospice continue its innovative approach to supporting caregivers through its West Kootenay Boundary Caregiver Support Program. Nelson Hospice also has a comprehensive library at its office in the Community First Health Co-op on Lake Street, which is available for clients to access additional education and support for their personal journeys.
Jennifer has also made a donation to support the upcoming Nelson Hospice volunteer training in mid-April, in recognition of the deep personal, time and financial commitment made by volunteer trainees. Anyone who completes the training and becomes a volunteer will be eligible to receive a refund of their training fee using the funds provided by Jennifer. This removes any financial barriers that might prevent someone from taking this valuable training and providing service to our community.
For more information on how you can support Nelson Hospice and on the volunteer training, please contact executive director Jane DiGiacomo at jane@nelsonhospice.org or via the website www.nelsonhospice.org.