4th Annual Handbags for Hospice Raises $167,000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2023 – Northumberland County – Community Care Northumberland (CCN) is pleased to announce the 4^th Annual ‘Handbags for Hospice’ event for Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre Foundation raised a total of $167,000 dollars!  

Handbags for Hospice is proudly presented by our Signature Sponsor Tony Pulla of Re/max Lakeshore Realty, and our Pearl Sponsor Jacqueline Pennington of Re/max Hallmark First Choice Group Realty. It’s a fun night out with friends at the Cobourg Lions Community Centre. Held Thursday, April 20th, the event brings the community together for an exciting evening of entertainment, including a Signature drink, delicious hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and the chance to bid on over 175 handbags and experiences through live and silent auctions.  

 With over 300 attendees, there were many opportunities for guests to join in the fun.  This year’s event showcased two new additions that proved popular and had instant impact.   

 ‘Give a Gift from the Heart’ allowed attendees to purchase a donation towards many items at Ed’s House, including grief resource material for those experiencing loss or a hand sewn colourful matching pillowcase and gown for a resident. When a donation was made, guests were given a hand painted, pink wooden heart. If they wished to, they could place a name or memory on the back of the heart, then place it on the memory tree at the event. Led by a generous donor match of $20,000 by Lynda Casey, ‘Give a Gift from the Heart’ resonated and raised $57,000!!   

The other new addition was a professional photo booth sponsored by Jaclyn Agueci CIBC Ley-Hall Wealth Management, and CIBC Mobile Mortgage Advisors Leanne Booth and Kaela Knuth. Guests were able to have candid photos taken to create fun memories of the evening to take home. Hundreds of photos went home with happy guests.    

Guests could buy tickets for the Platinum Ticket draw, with over $5,000 in prizes. First prize was two tickets anywhere WestJet flies, second prize was a day for two at Ste. Anne’s Spa and Ste. Anne’s custom gift basket.  Third prize was the Treasure Chest, a trove of gift certificates and experiences! Only 150 tickets were available at $100.00 and sold out quickly. 

 “Our goal for the evening was to exceed last year’s total of over $100,000 to support resident care at Ed’s House”, states Nancy Oliver, Event Chair.  “That is about 10% of the funds we need to raise annually to support Ed’s House. To exceed our goal by well over $60,000 is just incredible. We are so grateful for the generosity of our sponsors in the business community, donors, guests, and volunteers. It’s truly an event driven by the community”.  

During the event guests were treated to a beautiful testimonial from Kaye Jackson that recounted the incredible care her loved one received for two years through our Community Care Hospice Team in their home and then end-of-life care within Ed’s House for the final days. Ms. Jackson highlighted not only the hospice services offered, as well as our resident care within Ed’s House, but also the continued support through our bereavement team of the family well after the loved one is gone. 

One of the most wonderful and true things said during the evening came from Lynn Hardy, Chair of the Ed’s House Foundation. Lynn noted, “The key thing to take away from tonight is to be kind. And by coming this evening you have chosen to be kind and give to a wonderful foundation that makes sure the residents at Ed’s House get the right care, at the right place, at the right time, in a way that makes sense to them and their loved ones. Thank you!” 

 “There is no cost to access the services at Ed’s House. The funds raised through this event are critical to support resident care. Every year we are challenged with raising more than a million dollars to support the operation of Ed’s House. As our biggest fundraiser of the year, we are grateful for the support and dedicated efforts of the Special Events Committee. We are thankful our community sees the value in our event and gives so generously,” says Trish Baird, Chief Executive Officer, Community Care Northumberland. 

 The event would not be the success it is, without the dedicated members of the Ed’s House Foundation Special Events Committee who planned the evening. This group of volunteers is special. Members include Chair Nancy Oliver, Jan Rosamond, Lynda Kay, Jennifer Darrell, Jaclyn Agueci, Leanne Booth, Pam Trumper, Pam Buttery, Heike Kwok, Deane Henderson and supported by CCN staff Joel Scott, Darlene Wood and Jenny McCaig Lindsay.”  

 The Ed’s House Foundation would like to thank our talented Masters of Ceremony for the evening, York Bell-Smith (Classic Rock 107.9) and Scott MacCoubrey. 

Photo Above: (Committee members: L-R Jennifer Darrell, Darlene Wood, Jaclyn Agueci, Leanne Booth , Nancy Oliver, Jenny McCaig-Lindsay, Heike Kwok, Lynda Kay, Jan Rosamond, Pam Trumper, Pam Buttery -Missing Deane Henderson)

 Special thank you to our sponsors for Handbags for Hospice were:  

 Signature                          Tony Pulla of Re/max Lakeshore Realty.   

 Pearl                                   Jacqueline Pennington of Re/max Hallmark First Choice Group Realty  

 Platinum                           Acme Electric, Infinity Technology, Quantrill Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, Erin Brown and Susan Hull Royal Service Realty 

 Diamond                           Artisan Aesthetics, Boomer Brand Management, Cameco Corporation, Kawartha Metals, Spoolon Manufacturing, WestJet  

Emerald                             McLean Chimney, Mitzify Canada 

Sapphire                           Alison Lester of Lester and Associates, Langhorne Irwin Coleman LLP, MacCoubrey Funeral Home 

Ruby                                   Dr. Carson Kwok, Empire Crossing/Aspira, Palisade Gardens, RBC Royal Bank, Roseglen Village, Stronger’s Auto Spa, Tina Hubicki 

 Wine Wall                         Stadtke Plumbing 

 Treasure Chest Hoover’s Home Energy 

 Candy Bar                         Ganaraska Financial Credit Union 

 Photobooth                     Jaclyn Agueci CIBC Ley-Hall Wealth Management, and CIBC Mobile   Mortgage Advisors Leanne Booth and Kaela Knuth. 

 Centrepieces                   Quinn’s Blooms Florist and Flower Delivery  

 To see pictures from the evening check out our website:  https://edshouse.northumberlandhospice.ca/ 

 Media Information

Trish Baird, CEO