Skip to content

Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth announces holiday campaign

The annual Lights of Love Holiday Campaign will include a lighting ceremony on Dec. 7, beginning at 7 p.m.
rotarybest
Pictured at Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth during a Giving Tuesday announcement, from left: Lucie Stuart, director of fund development and stewardship, Katie Jervis, coordinator of volunteers, Kate Wiens, director of resident care and Louise Lepp, executive director.

An in-person lighting ceremony is a new addition to Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth's Lights of Love Holiday Campaign. 

Lucie Stuart, director of fund development and stewardship, announced details of the 4th annual event yesterday - Giving Tuesday, which is a day for people to give back to their community after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

One of several fundraisers held at the local hospice each year, the year-end Lights of Love Holiday Campaign allows residents to remember a loved one in their lives via a small light, and a message that can be shared, "in loving memory style", Stuart told StratfordToday. 

"It is a way to remember and honour someone," Stuart said. 

This year's event on Dec. 7 will include guests at the lighting ceremony. Lights will be placed on the roof line of the hospice building at 80 Greenwood Drive, while  some will be wrapped around smaller trees on the property. After the lighting ceremony, the lights will be turned on every night throughout December. 

Guests will gather at the pavilion on the property. 

"Last year we did a Facebook Live event, this year we decided to gather in person," Stuart said. 

Messages are also shared on the hospice website. Though open to everyone in the community, the event is also for people who have a loved one currently at the hospice, Stuart said. Donations go to overall operations and start at $20 for the current campaign. 

Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth has funding for eight beds and provides compassionate, 24-hour palliative care. 

The local hospice gets ministry funding for roughly half of its operating costs, so fundraisers and overall donations accepted throughout the year are important. Hike for Hospice and Handbags for Hospice are popular fundraisers that the community has championed over the years. 

The Lights of Love Holiday Campaign has become another community favourite. 

"Lights of Love is about family, it's for everyone...your donation adds up to help us reach our campaign goal. We hope it can continue to grow and become something the community looks forward to."

For more information or to donate, go to: https://www.rotaryhospice.ca/lights-of-love