Frost Manor staff walk to benefit Hospice
Walkathon raises $12,500
Tuesday May 13, 2008 -- Camille Jensen
Frost Manor staff members participated in the annual Walkathon for Hospice Kawartha Lakes May 4, raising more than $750 for the cause.

Eleven staff members participated in the event collecting personal pledges from families, staff and residents. Vi O’Leary, life enrichment co-ordinator at the Lindsay long-term care home, says its easy to drum up support for the hospice.

“Everybody was quite willing to sponsor people because of the cause,” she explains, adding they often call on Hospice Kawartha Lakes for palliative care services.

Hospice Kawartha Lakes is a volunteer-based organization that provides support for the end-of-life process.

Participants collected personal pledges and received support from OMNI and the home’s resident council. O’Leary’s grandson also took on the challenge and raised $25 for the cause.

Joy Brittain, environmental services manager, is one of the staff members who participated in the five-kilometre walk and says it was challenging but enjoyable. She says the event was well represented by the community with children, seniors, and everyone in between, walking for the Hospice.

“We had a variation of every type of age group in it,” says Brittain. “It was definitely a community effort.”

Karen Hamilton, client co-ordinator for Hospice Kawartha Lakes says approximately 150 people turned up for the event, which raised $12,500.

“It was a great turn out,” says Hamilton adding the day also featured a barbecue and silent auction, donated by community sponsors.

The annual walkathon held May 4 coincides with the start of National Hospice Week, May 4-11.

To learn more about Hospice Kawartha Lakes visit their website.

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