Take A Hike For Hospice
Submitted by Amanda Tevelde, Hospice Orillia
The Hike for Hospice in Orillia is underway for the entire month of October. Started by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association in 2003, the Hike for Hospice is usually held in communities across the country during the first week of May. Of course, all that changed with COVID-19 and this year’s event scheduled for May 3 was put on hold. Like in many other communities, organizers of the Orillia Hike for Hospice decided to pivot to a virtual format because they feel the event is critically important.
The Hike for Hospice enhances our sense of community, increases awareness of Hospice Palliative Care, and raises much-needed funds for both Hospice Orillia and Mariposa House Hospice. All Hike for Hospice donations stay in the Orillia area by directly supporting the services offered by these two organizations who work together to provide local services across the continuum of hospice palliative care, from diagnosis through end-of-life, including bereavement support for surviving loved ones.
This year’s hike is extra special because it’s a choose your own adventure model.
You can hike any day during the month of October, or you can hike on multiple days if you choose. You can hike in any location, your Hike for Hospice can take you to Scout’s Valley, Grants Woods, the waterfront, your garden, or to your favourite hiking trail.
To encourage participation and donations, the Mariposa House Hospice Board of Directors created their own team called The Board Walk and met October 1st to complete their Hike on the boardwalk at the Port of Orillia.
To register or to donate, please visit our website.
This year, we invite all members of our community to enter a contest to win one of the amazing prizes we have up for grabs. To enter go on a hike at in Scout Valley, on the waterfront trail, or other public places where walking and hiking happens and if you find one of the #H4HOrillia rocks, take a photo and post to social media with the #H4HOrillia hashtag. November 1st we will draw the winners from those who entered. You can also check the #H4HOrillia hashtag often for hints as to where some of the painted rocks are located.
This is the 5th year for the Hospice Orillia Hike for Hospice. In 2019 $30,000 was raised from the community and each year the total amount raised has increased approximately $5,000. The goal this year was $35,000, but under current conditions, any amount raised will be a success. Hospice Orillia depends on fundraising for 25% of it’s budget.
Mariposa House Hospice is a 5-bed residential facility scheduled to open in late 2020 to offer end-of-life palliative care to the North Simcoe communities of Orillia, Severn, Oro-Medonte, Ramara, and Chippewas of Rama First Nation.
(Photo Submitted) Gord Robertson, Sylvia Smith, Dr. Si Lowry and Dr. Erika Catford start their Orillia Hike for Hospice
