OLDS — The Olds and District Hospice Society (ODHS) raised more than $43,000 during its annual Hike For Hospice, held on May 1.
That's about $13,000 more than was raised during last year's online hike and more donations could still come in.
Hospice care provides compassionate care for a person facing end-of-life so they’re as comfortable as possible in those final years, months or days.
One factor in the bigger haul this year is a $20,000 donation that ODHS executive director Mary Smith says came in after the Albertan published a story about the hike before it took place.
"I think the $20,000 donation really put us over our target," Smith said in a text. "(That's) truly amazing, and the article sure helped spark people to donate."
Smith said the result is reflective of "connections, relationships and a community that is very compassionate (toward) end of life care."
Smith said a total of 108 people participated in the in-person walk and she figures another 30 or 40 participated online. That's down from last year when more than 250 people took part when event was held totally online, due to COVID-19 restrictions. In fact, the hike was held virtually for two years in a row, due to COVID.
Smith was unsure why participant numbers were down this year.
"My feeling is it's COVID fatigue and a bit of confusion over virtual/in-person (events)," she wrote.
Smith also noted there were other fundraisers and activities going on during that weekend.
Participants in the in-person event gathered at Holy Trinity Catholic School -- as they had for years before the pandemic -- for speeches and warmups before heading out on one-kilometre (K) and five-K walks.
Holy Trinity School vice-principal Jodie Masters organized a wake-a-thon Friday night/Saturday just before the hike. It raised $3,924.50, specifically for the Hike For Hospice.
About 85 people gathered outside the doors of the school for speeches and warmups before the hike began.
Several businesses sponsored the fundraiser in various ways.
Metis Nation Region 3 elder Doreen Bergum was the first dignitary to take to the stage before the hike began.
“God our creator: we thank you for giving us this day to acknowledge, encourage and support the Olds Hospice Society,” she prayed.
“Bless our Elders and give them long life, for we need their wisdom. Keep our children on the right path so they grow up tall and strong.
“Bless all who are sick in our community. Bring them hope, comfort and healing. Heal our world, heal our bodies. Strengthen our hearts and our minds. And in the midst of turmoil, give us hope and peace,” she said.
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper praised those who took part and who organized the hike.
“The fact that you’re here means that you care about our community, that you care about your families and that you are part of making Olds one of the greatest places to live, work and raise a family,” Cooper said.
Cooper said the COVID-19 pandemic made life “very difficult” the past couple of years.
“It has been a reminder of just how important each and every one of us are to each other and that need for our community," he said. "And our community is one of the greatest communities to be part of.
“Thank you so much for being here this morning and thank you for doing the very important work of caring for one another."
Mayor Judy Dahl gave a special shoutout to the medical profession.
“On behalf of the elected officials and the people of Olds, we would like to dedicate and honour the doctors and nurses, the support staff and the Hospice Society for increasing awareness, education and understanding of hospice palliative care to the community and region in a very gentle and non-threatening way,” Dahl said.
Mountain View County Reeve Angela Aalbers joined the other speakers in thanking all those who organized or participated in the hike.
“I’d just like to say that any organization that actually has compassion and dignity in their core values is an organization in society that we are so blessed to have within our communities,” Aalbers said.
“End-of-life is probably the saddest and scariest time that people can go through and the fact that the Hospice Society is here to provide the care and support in those times of need for our community members is just outstanding and I can’t thank you all enough.”
ODHS president Harvey Walsh not only praised participants and volunteers but also Smith for all her efforts on behalf of the hike and the organization.
For her part, Smith played down her role, saying the organizing committee and the event’s many volunteers made her job easy.
“I didn’t even have anything to do today, they just prepared everything,” Smith said.
“To our community supporters, to everybody that comes out: the Hospice Society has grown over the years and it’s due to everybody that’s here and beyond."
Several Olds College student athletes led the participants in warmups before they hit the road.
The in-person hike began at about 9:45 a.m. The morning was mostly sunny, but with a cool wind.
Piper Cragg Norris played the bagpipes as hikers streamed out of the Holy Trinity School parking lot.
