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+ ENEWS 12, 2022 | > z 3 TOWNSEND SMITH 2 FOUNDATION = THRILLED ABOUT LAND AGREEMENT : BAMBANG SADEWO & bsadewo@metroland.com A "desperately" needed hospice care facility in north Halton is on the ho- rizon. For more than a decade, the Townsend Smith Foun- dation has been on a jour- ney to raise funds for a fa- cility. The foundation has now reached an agreement with Georgetown's Hill- crest United Church to purchase its property and develop it into a 10-bed community hospice. “This is one huge mile- stone in steps to building a hospice that our communi- ty very much needs," said Townsend Smith board chair Astrid Lakats. "It's so vital for our community because hospice focuses on palliative care for peoplein the last stages of life, and it provides emotional and spiritual needs." Without a local facility to serve the older adult population in Georgetown, Acton and Milton, anyone facing end-of-life situa- tions must go to Burling- ton, Oakville, Mississauga or beyond. “There's nothing here,” said area resident and vol- unteer Margaret Saliba. Saliba recalled trying to make her father's end-of- life care" "as comfortable as we could" in a hospital, when he could have spent his remaining time in a hospice. "If you' 're able to spend i ur loved one able to do it in a setting where you just have to be Townsend Smith Foundation has organized numerous HOSPICE A MAJOR STEP CLOSER TO REALITY Graham Paine/Metroland The fundraisers, including a candlelight ceremony, to bring an adult hospice to north Halton. you and let that person be that person ... I think that that's a gift," the retired registered nurse said. The latest progress for her is "like a dream come true." Lifelong Miltonian Donna Coulter, who in the pice, also welcomed the Freshly Roasted Coffee DY-\INZ-1¢-e mm fom (Colt) Drolols Premium 100% Specialty Arabica Direct from the Roastery theifp.ca READERS’ ol [eo] fe S072 AWARD NOMINEE Buy online at BLACKCREEKCOFFEE.COM "It's a very, very exciting time for us." - Astrid Lakats "It's great, especially for all the people who've sup- ported this project with fundraising and have par- ents or loved ones who need this," said the 82-year- old Hornby resident. Discussions to acquire the church's property be- gan in earnest last spring, said Lakats. She thanked the church's council for its continued "community philanthropic endeavour." The church itself will still be operationaya and will be- space” vilthin the hospice, accord- to Hillcrest United Church council chair John a here’s no word yet on when ground will be bro- ken for the hospice, with a number of challenges still ahead, including getting governmental approvals and securing construction funding. none of our next big is the fundrai: millions of dollars to build this and even more money after we've built it to run it on an annual basis. And we're looking to the com- munity to assist with that funding.’ Realistically, Lakats said it's likely the pallia- tive care facility will only be opening its doors in five years. The foundation will al- socontinue talks to bringa hospice to the Milton Edu- cation Village site to meet the suggested eight pallia- tive care beds per 100,000 residents in a community, she said. But “we're moving for- ward," she said, acknowl- edging the generosity of the community and th “amazing” group of volun- teers and professionals for their dedic: "It's a catia very excit- ing time for us." STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With a major hurdle cleared in the cam- paign to bring an adult hospice to north Halton, we wanted to share how those involved feel about the news and what these plans look like. Culligan Walox For a Limited Time Save Qubtigam. High Effificiency System. 6 months no payments, no interest. 5 Mountainview Rd N, Georgetown the (905) 877-6242 www.culligan.com n OAC at info@culliganwater.ca Schedule your Free Water Test *Some restrictions apply. Please ask your tale beeen ei ice Limited time offer, dealer participation varies.