Hospice Habitat Art Event, Feb 6, 2010

Roy Sinden, Hospice Association board member is pictured in the left photo reviewing some of the Jack Messett Art that was auctioned to the public in the Hospice Habitat Art event. Bob Fortier, volunteer event coordinator is pictured in the right photo.

“This first event was a trial balloon for our art committee to test the reaction to the various styles that the artist painted,” said Bob Switzer, Executive Director. He continued, “We are delighted that there was enthusiastic bidding, and all sixteen lots were sold with the event generating gross income over $2,000.00 in support of The Central Okanagan Hospice Association!”

Our special thanks goes out to Bob Fortier, our event coordinator, Gina Kearns, and our other event volunteers who helped stage this event including Heather Williams, Deb Ritchie, Roy Sinden and Rodney Williamson.

The play titled ART was also a hit with the audience and our thanks goes out to Jason Mynett and his fellow actors Blane Despres and Joel Montgrand for a very entertaining start to the evening!  The Habitat staff was very creative in the staging of the event and our thanks also goes out to Michaela Johnson and Larry Gray the Light and Sound Engineer and announcer.

The Art Committee will now be putting on their creative hats to find ways to sell the remaining 141 pieces!

Jeans Days at Valley First Contribute over $700 to Hospice Association

Hospice Association Executive Director Bob Switzer is the grateful receipient pictured receiving $707.77 from Mary Goorevitch, Manager Member Services (left) and Marion Henselwood, Branch Manager (right), Valley First Credit Union, Guisachan Village Brnach. The employees of Valley First Credit Union and Insurance in Guisachan Village paid $2.00 each payday Friday all year to dress down and the funds for the second year have been donated to the Central Okanagan Hospice Association.

IODE Presents Original Work of Art to Hospice House

Central Okanagan Hospice Association wishes to thank Monique Tanguay, President of the IODE* (centre right) and members Rowena Reis and Lee Dworschak (pictured on the far right) who presented a commissioned painting titled Secret Place by local Okanagan artist Emmy Bouma to Hospice House. The work was received by Bob Switzer, Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association and Anne O’Keefe, Manager of Hospice Palliative Care Services for the Central Okanagan with Interior Health (on the left). The work now hangs in the South House quiet room of Hospice House for patients and their loved ones to enjoy.

*IODE Dr. J.W.Knox Kelowna

Hop for Hope Donates over $4,000.00 to Hospice Association

Dave Fyfe and the Rutland Friends of Hospice presented a cheque to the Central Okanagan Hospice Association today for $4,060.29. The funds were the proceeds from a Golden Oldies dance and silent auction held October 16^th at the Rutland Centennial Hall and was attended by over 200 people. Over 40 businesses supported the dance and silent auction with prizes.

Pictured presenting the cheque to Bob Switzer, Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association is Peter Jungwirth, David Fyfe, Sandra Fyfe, Shirley Cwikula, Bev Carpenter, Bernie Barton and in front we have young Connor Fyfe.

Additional team members that helped make this fundraiser such a success are: Joanne Wynn, Charlotte Schade, Ian Collinson, Frans Pineappels, Liz Hall, Lil Henderson, Joanne Chore and Grandkids who helped with decorating the Hall with Butterflies 

Other supporters include Barb Roth, Ashley Thompson, Yvette Longstaff and Larry Meade and all the people that sold tickets.

Music & Memories Attracts an Appreciative Audience

Music and Memories, A Celebration for Hospice, The Central Okanagan Hospice Association’s evening of musical performances, Hospice stories and readings held Nov 21st, was enjoyed by aproximatly 225 guests for the evening. This free event presented by the ArtsCare Program of the Okanagan Institute at Okanagan College was held to raise awareness of the importance of Hospice in our community and to thank our Caregivers. Bob Switzer, Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association paid tribute to Interior Health Staff, Hospice Volunteers, Hospice Association Staff, and to those that have cared for or are giving care to a loved one in our community.

“We were delighted to have four very talented groups performing and donating their talents for Music and Memories including the Celebration Singers (pictured on the right), Gorden James (pictured on the left), The Malarkeys, and Candesca” said Bob Switzer, Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association.  “We also had some amazing hospice story tellers honouring our loved ones and caregivers.”

Story tellers and readers during the evening were:

Diana Barker, Hospice Association Staff member who works as a Director of Palliative Volunteer Services (sharing that position with Shirley Buchanan.)

Patricia Cutfield who has been a Hospice volunteer working with palliative patients one-on-one in patients’ homes, and at Kelowna General Hospital.

Anne O’Keefe, Manager of Hospice Palliative Care Services for the Central Okanagan with Interior Health.

Tom Kemp, the Hospice Association’s Director of Bereavement Services, who recruits and trains those special volunteers that assist the bereaved in our community and that lead our adult grief groups.

Bob Switzer, the Executive Director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association. 

Hospice House Rooms Get Picture Rails

With a generous donation from First Memorial Funeral Services, and a gift of handyman services from Frank Czirfusz, we are starting the installation of much needed picture rails in the rooms at Hospice House. Patients will now be able to display photos of family, friends and art that will be visible from the beds. Pictured is Frank Czirfusz painting the rails and installing them. The “design committee” of Sharon Raeside, Anne O’Keefe, and Rhonda Zimmerman helped Frank with the best positioning for patient use and staff cleaning.

Telus Community Ambassadors Donate Digital Picture Frames For Hospice House Patients

Sharon Raeside and Rhonda Zimmerman, Hospice House Staff in white shoes are the grateful recipients of 6 digital picture frames from the TELUS community ambassadors for use by Hospice House Patients.

Pictured from left to right are Dave Harrison (Telus), Sharon Raeside (Hospice House), Bob Switzer, Hospice Association Executive Director, John Moncrieff (Telus), Rhonda Zimmerman, Barb Hanson and, Marlene Moncrieff (Telus).

Hospice House Receives a Second Aquarium

Gorden James, singer/songwriter/performer is shown here setting up another new aquarium at Hospice House. Gorden organized a musical fundraiser in May to fund the first aquarium. Our thanks to Gorden James and the Okangagan Aquarium Club members, Melody Cross, Laurence Wilson, Tanner Klassen, Siedrid and Steve Renaud, Dianne Bosch, Jordan Bosch, Evert and Cathy De Gelder, Colette Bildfell, and Colin Gilchrist.