Dragon Boat Paddlers Give A Helping Hand


 Nanaimo, BC – December 6, 2012 –Nanaimo Community Hospice recently funds generated from the 10th Annual Save On Foods Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival this past summer. Hospice received 50% of the proceeds from the event for the first time, in the amount of $20,000 towards their $900,000 Expand the Heart of Hospice fundraising campaign. The campaign is just over the 70% point with $300,000 still left to raise.


In the past 10 years the festival has raised over $600,000, which has all gone directly back into the community. In 2010 and 2011 Hospice received a combined total of $11,800 from the Festival towards their programs.


“The majority of festival funds are generally set aside for diagnostic equipment for breast cancer, but this year we wanted to give a bit extra towards Hospice as they fundraise for a new home.” said Bob Buchanan, President, Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival. “Nanaimo Hospice provides a very important service to the community, whether someone is dealing with dying, caregiving, or grief, the programs that Hospice provide help support people in difficult times.”


“This very generous donation from the Dragon Boat festival will help us reach our fundraising target and we were delighted with their decision to allocate extra funds for as we prepare to move into our new home early in 2013,”said Wendy Pratt, Executive Director, Nanaimo Community Hospice.


Funds raised for the Expand the Heart of Hospice $1.25 million project will allow Hospice to renovate, furnish and equip their new home located on St. George Crescent off Waddington Road, ensuring that all of their existing programs continue to remain accessible at no cost to the recipients.   Once in the new building Hospice plans to expand their Child and Youth Program and add a much needed Adult Palliative Day Program.


Please give now and Help Hospice Help Others. Donations can be made online through Canada Helps at www.nanaimohospice.com, in person at Hospice House 1729 Boundary Avenue or by phoning 250-758-8857.


About Nanaimo Community Hospice

Nanaimo Community Hospice, a registered charitable non-profit society has been serving the Nanaimo community for over 30 years and was the first community-based hospice established in Canada.  NCHS is well recognized as an innovator provincially and nationally,  Over the years Hospice has trained over 1,000 volunteers who have given in excess of 500,000 hours to support over 30,000 individuals (and families) who have faced dying, caregiving and grief.  Hospice staff and volunteers provide a variety of free services including professional counselling; grief group programs; palliative support at home, in hospital and in care facilities; complementary therapies; a child and youth program; comprehensive library resources, and so much more. www.nanaimohospice.com


For more information please contact:


Erin O’Reilly

313 PR on behalf of Nanaimo Community Hospice

erin@313pr.com

250-713-0489

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