It was an exciting night as the sixth annual Handbags for Hospice was held on Thursday, September 15th at the Kincardine Pavilion.
It was a full sold-out house with 168 in attendance and over 100 hundred designer handbags up for auction, and 150 sponsors who contributed.
The annual gala brings together women for a fabulous evening of handbags, food, drink, laughs, fun and fundraising to celebrate the ‘Power of the Purse’. The last in-person Handbags for Hospice was held in 2019 and raised over $180,000.
“Bruce Power is proud to be able to participate in an event like this and do great things for our community,” said Mike Rencheck, President and CEO of Bruce Power. “This is an exciting fun evening. I also want to thank all the suppliers for all that they do not only in our life extension program but for what they do internally in the community. Everyone here makes a difference when looking at our community and how its grown and expanding and the services we now have available.”
Host sponsors Duncan and Lesley Hawthorne, the largest individual donors who, five years ago began the fundraising effort for the Hospice, attended once again. “Hospices exist as part of a trilogy,” said Duncan Hawthorne. “Firstly, families desperately need their support in what is one of the most challenging times they will ever face. Secondly, the medical staff, expertise and help that is there to deal with the challenges that are there at end of life. Thirdly, are the volunteers and donors. Hospice is like a three-legged stool – you need all three legs for it to work. We are trying to keep this facility viable and going. We are here to prove that it is not a one-off thing and that is why Lesley and I continue to sponsor as we also do back in the UK. It’s about community, and community is about a group of people with a common bond and purpose. That’s why we are here – this is our community.”
Guest speaker, Katherine Gowing, also gave a moving talk from a family perspective about Hospice and her mother’s end of life care that she received. “I have two perspectives when it comes to Huron Shores hospice – one as a comfort care volunteer and the other as a
family member of a resident. As a former nurse, while taking the required courses (for Hospice care), I had the opportunity to appreciate and marvel at the volunteers who had come together to support the residents. Each of us brings different skills to the table … but we all have one goal, providing quality end-of-life care so that the end of life receives the same dignity and respect as at the beginning. We do our best to care for family members while they are caring for their special person.”
Gowing went on to explain that, from a family perspective, when her mother had a bad fall and was in hospital for two weeks, the decision was made to take her to hospice. “It was the best decision that we, as a family, would make. I knew in my heart that there was where mother should spend her final days. We were welcomed by wonderful staff and volunteers into a calm and peaceful environment. She was treated with dignity and compassion. When she passed away peacefully, we knew that donations should go to Hospice in her memory. What a difference Huron Shores Hospice has made in our community and, what a difference you are making to hospice care.”
Once speeches were finished, the high-energy ‘Layne the Auctionista’ took over for the live auction of seven items – from the Mackage handbag valued at $508.50 and Tory Burch handbag at $992.14 to a Scott Duncan tattoo session at $500 and Romantic Summer get away for Two at Killarney Mountain Lodge valued at $3,000. donated by Duncan and Lesley Hawthorne, and a Dinner for eight in Your Home by Keith & Linda Battler to a Coach handbag valued at $839.15 and a custom shoreline picnic by Willow & Ren/West Shore Drifter Lofts valued at $750.00.
With Layne the Auctionista’s encouragement and entertainment, bids were fast and furious raising more than an approximated $30,000.
A final total of Gala funds raised for Huron Shores Hospice is yet to be determined.
