JARVIS – Drew Williamson loved his community and the land on which he grew up.
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One year following his passing, the two are coming together in a unique way.
Just a year following the death of his father, Alan ‘Willy’ Williamson, has donated 10 acres of his family’s farmland in Jarvis in honor of Drew for a proposed 10-bed hospice facility that will cost an estimated $14 million.
The new Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice will accommodate north of 100 residents a year and be designed with an eye toward future expansion if required.
“The project started in 2022, a year before my father passed away,” Willy explained. “He wasn’t sick at the time, but at 92, you need to get your affairs in order. He was looking at getting involved in a foundation or charity.”
Drew not only started the family business – Doughty and Williamson – way back in 1950 with his brother-in-law Jim Doughty, but spent over 70 years with the Jarvis Lions, was an original volunteer with the Port Dover Harbor Marina and gave plenty of time to the Knox Presbyterian Church. During those years, he raised a family on a multi-generation farm.
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Two of Drew’s nephews were involved in hospice care in different parts of the country, and the idea piqued the interest of both Drew and Willy.
“I must admit, we didn’t know anything about hospices at the time,” Willy laughed. “But when we looked into it, we realized there was a Norfolk-Haldimand one, but they didn’t have a site, didn’t have a building.”
While nothing in life is perfect, the donated land, located at the corner of Nanticoke Creek Pkwy and Haldimand Road 55 beside Meller Poultry Equipment is closed. It sits just north of the intersection of Highway 3 and west of Highway 6 in Haldimand. It’s expected the building will be situated behind a four-acre section of trees.
“We’re extremely fortunate and grateful for (Willy’s) generosity and him thinking of the importance of having a hospice in the region.” said hospice executive director Andrea Binkle, adding both Haldimand and Norfolk counties have been on board with the project from its inception.
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“Both counties have been very supportive of the idea of creating a hospice center and residence and are looking at any way to help and remove barriers.”
Currently, the hospice offers bereavement programs for both adults and youth in various locations, including a small space staff currently calling home in Port Dover. It’s estimated that 200 residents will be able to access programs offered in the new facility.
“It feels extremely good to honor my dad with a place that will bring comfort to a lot of people in their last days,” said Willy, who plans to add some walking trails and places to sit on the property pre-construction.
“I believe it offers a nice, county, serene setting.”
It’s too early to establish a groundbreaking date — Binkle called the $14M fundraising effort still in its “early stages” — however, the board has engaged with an experienced architect whose work includes the Hospice of Waterloo Region. This would allow for the design process to be complete once the land is severed, and all building approvals are met.
The board can apply for government funding, which would provide up to $250,000 per bed, but does not account for furniture, equipment, or program expansion.
“We’re happy to be expanding our services for both counties and being able to meet with more people,” Binkle added. “We’re looking forward to expanding those services into a center.”
Recently, the Simcoe-Waterford Knights of Columbus, Council 4502, provided $8,000 and proceeds from the local Vagina Open Golf Tournament donated $37,012.
More on the hospice and its programs can be found at norfolkhaldimandhospice.ca.
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