To help put the finishing touches on the inside of the Chatham-Kent Hospice, the Ontario Trillium Foundation donated $150,000 on Friday.
Hospice officials also announced construction on the 10-bed facility will be complete by the end of March.
Jodi Maroney, director of development for the hospice, said once the construction is finished, the focus will shift to furnishing and completing the interior.
The public will get an opportunity to see the fruits of all the labour in early April, as the hospice will hold open houses April 9 and 10, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. respectively.
For folks who cannot attend, Maroney said there will be a virtual tour posted to the hospice’s website, chathamkenthospice.com.
“We’ll show what great support has helped create,” Maroney said. “Very soon, our family and friends won’t have to travel out of town to receive the compassionate care they deserve.”
Jim Stein, a member of the Trillium Foundation’s local grant review team, said the funds allocated by the foundation will go towards essential capitol projects, including helping to purchase furniture and equipment for the lounge and rooms.
“We believe in what you are doing,” he told hospice supporters.
Michelle O’Rourke, director of hospice care, said some of the funding will be used to acquire tablets that will allow hospice residents to Skype with family members.
Chatham-Kent Essex MPP Rick Nicholls commended the people of Chatham-Kent for contributing so much to get the hospice built.
“This has been a community effort. The community has really gathered behind this,” he said of the facility. “The hospice will provide an element of comfort and allow people to die in dignity.”
Dave Macko, vice-chair of the hospice board, also gave supporters a big thumbs up.
“We have had such great support by the community.”
Macko said the original hope to have the facility open by December was ambitious, adding construction to completion still took place in under a year.
“You only get one chance to build it right,” he said.
