Co-Chairs Ross McDougall, and the late John Williams launched the Heart and Home Building Campaign in summer 2019, and now it is less than a year away from completion.
Hospice Quinte’s new home is set to be completed next fall, and 65 percent of the $9.5 million price tag has already been raised.
The building is being constructed on Old Highway 2, directly across from Bayside Secondary School, a piece of land owned by the City of Quinte West.
On Wednesday afternoon at Occasions By The Bay in Bayside, the focus of the Heart and Home Building Campaign went into the Make It Happen phase.
The Make It Happen Community Call To Action turns the focus from major donors and municipal and provincial support, to individuals in the Hospice Quinte catchment area (Quinte West, Belleville, Deseronto, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and Tyendinaga Township).
Brad Williams (son of former Co-Chair John Williams) says bringing in the community is the fun part.
Hastings Lennox and Addington MPP Daryl Kramp.
Hospice Quinte Board Chair Bill MacKay says with the community component of the fundraising, the proof will be in the pudding.
Jennifer May Anderson is the Executive Director for Hospice Quinte and says there is no donation amount that is too small.
Peak Construction began working on the six bed modern full-time hospice earlier this month.
Construction is expected to cost $9.5 million and it is estimated it will cost $1.3 million a year to operate the 11,000 square foot facility.
The City of Quinte West donated the land of the property, along with $1 million. Mayor Jim Harrison also announced an additional $65,395 from the interest earned on the investment.
The City of Belleville is providing $1 million, Tyendinaga Township $75,000, while there are requests out to Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and Deseronto.
The Williams family has continued their donation to the program. On top of the $100,000 initial contribution made by John Williams, his mother Audrey announced a gift of $30,000, with an additional $54,000 coming in donations from the funeral for John Williams.
A gift of $20,000 came from Paul Moran Insurance Group and the Co-Operators Advisor Community Fund was also announced Wednesday.
Paul and Beth Moorman gave $100,000 in the name of their late father, while Quinte West Fire announced $10,000 as well.
$3,325,000 remains to be raised.
