This year’s “No Place Like Home” fundraiser for Huron Hospice celebrates local food with a farm-to-fork dinner at the Holmesville Community Centre.
Christopher Walker, fund development manager, said the event was launched during the pandemic to raise money for end-of-life care that is as close and similar to home as possible.
“The No Place Like Home Telethon was created at the beginning of COVID when we were all stuck at home, and so we just thought it would be fitting to have a fundraiser called No Place Like Home since that’s where we were,” he explained. “It was so successful that it ran for four years. We really liked the concept of No Place Like Home, so we just turned it into a celebration of Huron County food.”
Walker said the fundraiser will take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024, and will feature Part II Bistro in Goderich serving a dinner based on the 100-mile diet, with food from Huron County as well as some options from Ontario and Canada.
“We have to travel over 100 miles for the salmon. There will be a dinner tasting of local wines and beers and a unique raffle,” he said. “There will be an auction with some fun locally-related items.”
Walker noted that exploring the topic of home invites conversations, memories and stories about hospice and the best of home in Huron County.
“There will be a testimonial from families who have used the hospital services. Testimonials are really important because they allow us to tell a little bit of our story,” Walker added. “We’ve heard things like: All the nurses who work at Bender House are so kind and attentive and so quick to give you a hug. But at the same time, they’re there to help a grandchild learn the two-step while grandfather watches from his bed.”
Walker pointed out that the province covers half of its revenue and thus finances part of the care costs.
He said the fundraiser will help cover the remaining 50 percent of their costs, including in-home hospice care and programs to help cope with loss and grief.
“The loss and grief support programs are really important because they continue after someone dies and families have to get up and move on,” he continued. “For some, grief is really easy to deal with. For others, it’s just a heavy burden that hangs around their neck and so we help them learn to deal with that grief.”
Walker said the hospice called Bender House near Clinton has played a crucial role for families in the area.
“Since 2018, 250 families have used our services, 72 of them last year alone,” he revealed. “We usually serve around 50 families a year, but last year we were lucky enough to serve 72 families.”
Hospice and respite care home volunteers visited 104 families 687 times, and 103 people attended 591 bereavement group sessions. Huron Hospice’s services are free, and thanks to public support, they remain free for all who need them.
Alecia Anderson, Huron County Tourism and Local Food Coordinator, will serve as co-moderator, with Assemblymember Ben Lobb serving as co-moderator and celebrity auctioneer.
“We are excited to have Aleica and Ben back with us. Each of them knows Huron County and the hospitality scene better than most. The fact that Alecia and Ben are making time for Huron Hospice shows how important the hospice is to everyone across the county,” Walker said.
Dinner tickets are $150 each or $1,200 for a table for eight.
If you or a family member needs care at Huron Hospice, please call 519-606-6600.
