Recipient Charity & Pledge Sheets
This year, we are taking a slightly different approach to distributing our funds. Bruce Hawkins founded C4C as a
remembrance for his favourite brother-in-law and a much loved uncle. It was called Curl for a Cure, and all monies were
donated to cancer-focused charities, including the Groves Memorial Hospital’s Oncology Unit. As the years passed, Curl
for a Cure changed its focus to other local charities and became known as Curl for a Cause. For 2024, we are evolving
once again to support a new charity that will fill a deep need in our community. This year all our funds raised will
support Aboyne Rural Hospice. We hope that you will join our vision as we return to our health care origins. In this
program, you will find an article written by the Aboyne Rural Hospice committee so you can learn more about their
vision and fundraising goals to make the Aboyne Rural Hospice a reality.
If you need more pledge sheets, you can print them from our website, email curlforacause@gmail.com or photocopy the
one you have!
Aboyne Rural Hospice: End-of-Life Care for Rural Wellington County
Introduction + Immediate Need
Our mission is to establish a residential hospice in Rural Wellington County. The need for a local hospice has been known by many in this area for years, and the donation of two acres by Wellington County helped to galvanize a new effort to bring this dream to life. Why do we need a hospice for rural Wellington? Hospice care focusses on the care, comfort and quality of life of a person with a life-limiting illness. Our goal is to bring hospice care closer to home for rural Wellington County. Currently, local families must travel to Guelph or Waterloo to receive hospice care. This distance can be a barrier to care, especially in poor weather or for those with transportation challenges.
Furthermore, our proposed site can be easily integrated into our existing local health care framework, with ease of access and overlapping care providers from our hospitals, family health teams and elder care facilities. Our current population and health care usage indicate that rural Wellington needs 10 more palliative beds than are currently available. Presently, almost half of our local palliative care patients are dying in acute care hospital beds
What is the immediate need?
Our first major goal is to raise $2.5 million in order to apply for Ministry of Health approval for our project. These funds are for proof of viability as well as to receive matching funds from the Ministry. We cannot proceed with a hospice without this Ministry approval, and meetings with Ministry representatives have suggested that we are in a favourable position for approval based on our geography and project specifications.
Project Overview
Hospice Team Members: Dr. Sarah Gower, Dr. Alan Simpson, Hilary Blackett, Dr. Clarissa Burke, Andrea Hall, Angela Hammond, Shelley Lillie, Cory McKay, Dr. Chris Lund, Ian MacRae, Jeff Ostic, Carolyn Skimson and Robert Turner
Incorporation: achieved March 13, 2023 as the “Aboyne Rural Hospice”
Charitable Status: achieved May 12, 2023. Charitable Registration # 727982548 RR 0001
Location: Wellington County, Aboyne Campus, Fergus. Two-acre site donated by Wellington County, site primarily chosen for proximity to local services, accessibility to surrounding regions, and health care infrastructure.
Building Dimensions + Layout: The proposed hospice facility will have ten Family Suites, with space for the resident and their medical care, sleeping quarters for family members, and a private washroom. Family living room and dining spaces, quiet/spiritual room space and administrative offices will also be on the main floor. The basement level will have storage, utilities and kitchen facilities.
Construction Cost Estimate
The projected building construction cost is $8,806,900. The projected ancillary costs are $2,025,587 (23% of the hard construction cost). Ancillary costs include furnishings, fixtures, security and communication systems, cabling, development charges, and professional fees.
Operational Costs: Estimated annual operational costs are $2,250,000, including $1,919,056 for staffing/contracted
services, utilities, insurance, and supplies.
Doesn’t the government pay for hospices and hospice care?
Patients in Ontario have free access to hospice care, but the Ontario government provides modest financial support for the construction and operation of hospices. Hospice organizations must make up the shortfall through fundraising/community contributions. For capital costs, the Ministry of Health may grant up to $250,000 per approved bed towards capital costs. Our current
project would be eligible for a maximum of $2.5 million towards our capital costs.
Current Fundraising Target
$8,806,900 - Projected building construction cost $2,025,587 - Ancillary costs + $4,500,000 - Annual operational costs x 2 years $15,332,847 - $2,500,000 anticipated MOH Hospice Capital Program funding = Total Fundraising Target = $12,832,487
Conclusion
Establishing a rural residential hospice in Wellington County is a significant endeavour. With an initial fundraising goal of $2.5 million for Ministry of Health approval, and an overall total goal of nearly $13 million based on present projections, we need the whole community’s support to achieve this dream. The Aboyne Rural Hospice will provide essential end-of-life care for its residents and provide a necessary option to home or hospital.
Thank you for your interest and support!
Process for Pledge Sheets
- Make certain the addresses are complete and readable, so tax receipts can be issued
- Make any cheques payable to Curl for a Cause
- If your donors are using e-transfers, please ensure the participants name is clearly stated in the notes of the e-transfer, so we can match it up to your pledge sheet and give your team credit for that pledge!
- Bring your pledge sheets and money in an envelope clearly marked with your name
- The Team Captain will collect all the envelopes for the team and your $20 entry fee (unless paid in advance) and take them downstairs to the Registration Desk as one complete group where T-Shirts and Hospitality Bags will be handed out
Tax Receipts
Tax receipts will be issued to donors who pledge $20 or more and have provided a clear, legible address on the pledge
sheet. These receipts will be mailed out by Aboyne Rural Hospice. This is why it is so important that you fill in your
pledge sheet clearly and completely including postal codes.