St. Joseph’s Hospice Sarnia-Lambton is looking for more volunteers to raise funds, face to face with donors.
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The annual hospice Face to Face campaign, where it asks 100 volunteers to each ask 10 people for $10 donations, launched May 1 and continues through June 30.
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While hospice receives provincial funding for nursing at its 10-bed residence, it relies on community funding for 57 per cent of its budget. This year it needs to raise $2.4 million in donations.
The Face to Face campaign’s goal is at least $10,000, “while at the same time, 1,000 people will learn about hospice and what we offer here,” said Amanda Charlton, communications and marketing coordinator.
It has had a good start with 71 volunteers as of Friday, leaving the campaign just 29 canvassers from reaching our goal,” she said.
Information about how to become a Face to Face canvasser is available by contacting Charlton at hospice, 519-337-0537 or by email at [email protected].
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Those interested in volunteering can also stop in at the hospice resource center, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, at 475 Christina St., N.
Each canvasser receives an information package and is asked to approach 10 friends, family members and colleagues for a $10 donation. Some give more, some give less but all donations are welcome.
“It’s a simple fundraiser that helps hospice in such a large way,” Charlton said.
It brought in more than $26,000 in 2023.
There are canvassers who end up asking more than 10 people for donations, said Maria Muscedere, director of fund development and community relations. “People are just really excited to talk about hospice,” she said.
More community awareness helps hospice with its other community fundraising, as well as encourages more residents to use its services, Muscedere said.
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Along with the residence, which opened 15 years ago, it offers bereavement groups for adults and children, as well as support for caregivers and a day hospice. All hospice services are free.
“It’s really unique that we can care for the whole family,” Muscedere said.
Charlton said they would like to exceed last year’s amount but “anything between $10,000 and $20,000 would be wonderful.”
While canvassers often returned to the campaign which began in 2008, there have been “quite a few new faces” helping recently, Charlton said.
“Which is wonderful because even more people are learning about hospice,” she said.
“We’re very lucky,” Muscedere said.
“This community has always been a great support and we’ve been able to achieve our budget each year.”
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