OLDS — The 10th annual Olds Hike For Hospice, currently underway, could raise a record $30,000, Olds & District Hospice Society (ODHS) executive director Mary Smith says.
Donations, pictures and stories for the event will be accepted by the society until May 20.
"I've received a lot of positive feedback and we have currently raised over 28,000 and I believe by the time the hike funds all are received it will be well over $30,000 which will be our largest funds raised ever,” Smith wrote in an email.
Hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on making a person’s end-of-life journey as comforting as possible.
Money raised via the hike is used to offset expenses related to hospice palliative support in the Mountain View County, including the two hospice suites in the Olds Seasons Encore assisted living facility.
Due to the pandemic, the hike has gone online for a second year in a row.
Individual participants or teams can sign up via the society’s website.
They’re encouraged to send in pictures of themselves in action along with comments and observations or stories, using the hashtag #oldshike2021.
Officially, the hike was held on May 2, via Facebook Live, starting at 9 a.m. However, if potential participants weren’t able to hike on that day, they are encouraged do their hike a week before or a week after and send their pledges in.
Participants are urged to “walk, run, wheel, or bike a one kilometre or five-kilometre route. And they can do that anywhere – around their own home or driveway, along a nearby in parks, or just in their own neighborhood.”
Once again, volunteer Jim Stone, with help from his friends raised the single largest amount of money; more than $3,500.
Other top fundraising teams as of last week were:
• Cirque de Sore Legs: more than $2,800,
• In Memory of Randy, Maurice & Ted: more than $1,900,
• MIcki Lamb & Nancy Bell Hiking for Fred: more than $1,800, and
• Alex’s Kids: more than $1,600.
Last year, due to the pandemic, the ODHS held Hike for Hospice virtually for the first time ever.
More than 200 people participated and raised more than $21,000 for hospice palliative support, well above the approximately $16,000 raised the previous year’s in-person event.
Several people spoke online during this year's event.
“Though we’re all disappointed that we must once again participate virtually, we’re grateful to all of you for adapting and joining in to support the cause,” Red Deer-Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen said.
“Your participation today allows the society to support individuals and families that are faced with a palliative hospice journey and to make certain that each day may be lived to the fullest.
“Unfortunately, the pandemic has brought unprecedented demands and adversity. Those in hospice need even more comfort during these fearful times of COVID-19 as isolation from family and loved ones becomes a reality."
Mayor Mike Muzychka urged everyone to get out and participate in the hike.
“The Olds and District Hospice Society is one of the best charities that we have in our town. The service that they provide our community is incredible,” Muzychka said.
“When people are going through the toughest times of their lives, they’re about to lose a loved one, this society comforts them in a way that is unimaginable. The work that they do is fantastic.
“And this is their biggest charity event of the year. This raises just a ton of money for them.”
“Your efforts and donations today will continue to provide hospice services to local families as they support their loved ones in their end-of-life journey,” ODHS president Harvey Walsh said.
Smith walked with one of her children in memory of many people, including their grandmother who passed away in 2019.
“Our volunteers are really the heart of our society,” Smith said, adding that more than 70 volunteers devote more than 3,000 hours annually to support ODHS programs and operations.
Doreen Bergum, an elder who represents the Metis Nation of Alberta Region 3 also spoke.
“I would like to thank the Olds and District Hospice Society for their continued support to families and community during these trying times,” Bergum said.
She thanked the society for "the support you extended to my family in our time of need.”
