April 17, 2024

Bruce Power Makes $100,000 Dona􀆟on to the Huron Hospice

Moments Mater Even More Capital Campaign

Today, Huron Hospice announces a substan􀆟al dona􀆟on from Bruce Power to the Moments Matter … Even More Capital Campaign. With their gi􀅌 of $100,000, Bruce Power is helping Huron Hospice close the community phase of the campaign to build new bedrooms.

“We are honoured to accept this gi􀅌 from Bruce Power. Thank you for helping us make our dream a reality. In recogni􀆟on of this gi􀅌, the Board of Directors has approved the naming of the entrance driveway and parking expanded parking area,” said Board Chair Lisa Taylor. She went on to say, “this gift will offset the additional costs the hospice incurred on the construction project resulting from COVID related budget increases.”

“Close to 30 years ago, generous donors made Huron Hospice possible. Six years ago, they made Huron Hospice Bender House a reality. Today, Bruce Power brings us a step closer to the finish line and is helping us launch the next exci􀆟ng phase of Huron Hospice. When we opened Bender House in 2018, we knew that demand was such that we would need to expand. When the 􀆟me came to build addi􀆟onal bedrooms, our project goal $1.6 million for four new bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and accessible outdoor pa􀆟os. We are also conver􀆟ng two exis􀆟ng temporary bedrooms into a quiet space and a children's room for a total of six rooms. We are honoured to have the support of such an innova􀆟ve Huron-Bruce employer making the project a reality,” said Board Chair Lisa Taylor.

“As with many construc􀆟on projects post COVID costs exceeded our es􀆟mates. The original es􀆟mates were for a $1.6 million project for which we raised $2 million. The updated costs were over $2 million. We scaled the project back by $200,000 to stay within our budget and begin construc􀆟on. The elements of the project that were removed from the original plan are all non-clinical and include staff office space and esthe􀆟c features such as a canopy over the front door and driveway and replacing the stone walls that matched the original building with siding.” Said Willy Van Klooster, Execu􀆟ve Director of Huron Hospice.

“Bruce Power has been a supporter of the Huron Hospice since 2021, and this year is no different,” said Mike Rencheck, President & CEO of Bruce Power. He went on to say “the end of life is one of the most challenging times for a family and local families have relied on Huron Hospice. I would like to thank Huron Hospice for the compassionate and dignified end-of-life care they provide to Huron and Bruce County families we are please to be able to support the hospice in its mission of providing quality palliative care in rural Ontario.

The Need for Hospice Beds in Huron County

Families turn to Huron Hospice when managing end-of-life care on their own becomes too difficult. Since opening in 2018, 211 families have used Bender House hospice services. Before COVID-19, our occupancy rate was 97%, and at 􀆟mes we had a waitlist. Approximately 800 people will die in Huron County this year, and that number could grow to 900 over the next ten years. Some of those people will die as a result of unexpected or trauma􀆟c circumstances and will not a hospice bed. Construc􀆟on will see Bender House grow from four to six beds. With the new beds we will accommodate 100 people annually. Huron Hospice home hospice and respite volunteers can serve over 200 families annually.

About Bruce Power

Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable, low-cost nuclear power to families and businesses across the province. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

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For more information, contact:

Bruce Power: John Peevers

226-930-0400

Willy Van Klooster

Execu􀆟ve Director Huron Hospice

519-525-6856

willy.vanklooster@huronhospice.ca