OLDS-DIDSBURY — This year for the first time, the 12th annual Hike for Hospice fundraiser, which takes place May 7, will be held in Didsbury as well as Olds.
Olds & District Hospice Society (ODHS) executive director Mary Smith says the Didsbury event will begin at the Didsbury Memorial Park. The Olds event will once again begin at the Holy Trinity Catholic School.
Smith says both events will occur rain or shine. Registration at both sites begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program will start at about 10 a.m.
In Olds, dignitaries giving speeches will include ODHS president Harvey Walsh and Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl. Members of the Olds College Broncos will lead warm-up exercises for participants.
In Didsbury, speakers are expected to include Town of Didsbury Mayor Rhonda Hunter and ODHS vice-president Mary Hatcher. People to lead warm-ups in Didsbury were still to be determined at press time.
In Olds, Mr. Mike’s restaurant will be holding a barbecue and donating proceeds from burger sales to ODHS.
In Didsbury at Memorial Park, the Girl Guides will be selling their famous cookies.
During an interview with the Albertan, Smith said the move to hold the hike in Didsbury as well as Olds is part of an effort to raise awareness of the fact that the ODHS not only serves Olds and area, but Mountain View County as a whole and the urban centres within its geographical boundaries.
“Olds and District Hospice Society is not just Olds Hospice, so we are actually looking at getting out into Mountain View County more,” she said.
“We want to bounce around at different communities in Mountain View County.”
Smith noted the ODHS has a great working relationship with with the Sundre Palliative Care Association.
