Milton Memory Makers Donate to Townsend Smith Foundation

As Townsend Smith Foundation works toward building a hospice for North Halton, we plan for the little things that bring comfort and dignity at the end of life.

Many hospices enhance the hominess of their residents’ rooms with hand-made quilts, or use a specially-dedicated one as a covering to honour a resident’s passing. Recently, TSF received a special donation from a local group.

The Milton Memory Makers is a small group of quilters who’ve worked together for more than twenty years. A few years ago, one of their long-time members passed away, and her son brought the group a quilt from her collection, as he didn’t know what to do with it. He asked if they would finish the quilt, which only needed the outside borders stitched together.

Jean Lillie, speaking for the Milton Memory Makers, says, “We do not know who made the beautiful appliquéed quilt. We do know that there was more than one quilter. We know they were experienced quilters. The stitches are small, even, and very consistent throughout the quilt. The appliquéed flowers are very well done.”

Several quilters finished the work and then the group discussed what to do with it. After many conversations, it was decided that the Hospice would be a fitting location. “By donating the quilt, we are honouring the makers who spent many hours creating each flower square and then putting them together. We are confident that our former member would agree that this is where the quilt belongs,” Jean told us.

Thank you, Milton Memory Makers, for connecting with Townsend Smith Foundation, and helping us on our journey. Together we will build a hospice for North Halton!

Success at the Committee of Adjustment

Townsend Smith Foundation and Hillcrest United Church attended the Committee of Adjustment on Tuesday, September 7, 2022 to ask for confirmation that a hospice could be built at Trafalgar Road and 5 Side Road, Halton Hills.

We were successful at the Committee of Adjustment. A hospice can be built on the site where Hillcrest United Church currently exists.   The decision of the committee is still subject to a 20 day time period for appeals – we are hopeful there won’t be any.

Before explaining what this all means, we want to take a moment to highlight a few of the outstanding acts of kindness and volunteerism that lead us to this result:

  • Glenn Wellings of Wellings Planning Consultants Inc., along with his colleague Sarah Burjaw, researched, opined on and worked with various levels of government in submitting and reviewing this application. All of this work was done free of charge and this work was extremely time consuming and immersive. Townsend Smith Foundation is especially grateful for this act – Thank you Wellings Planning Consultants Inc. 
  • David de Sylva, a local and a residential developer within North Halton, was engaged by Townsend Smith Foundation for $1. Mr. de Sylva, being much more knowledgeable and experienced in these matters, guided Townsend Smith Foundation in finding property, engaging experts, and explaining each step. Mr. de Sylva, in addition to personally donating his time, engaged experts at his own cost to make sure Townsend Smith’s fundraising burden was minimized. Thank you Dave de Sylva.
  • The congregation of Hillcrest United Church has spent many years thoughtfully considering their next steps and engaging their community. It has been through the vision and leadership of Jean Howden, Verna Bird, John Field and their many volunteers at Hillcrest United Church, that we are at this critical point in our journey. Thank you to the Hillcrest United Church for engaging with hospice.
  • Board member, Victoria Hughes, began her presentations to Hillcrest United Church and her meetings with Mr. de Sylva more than 15 months ago.  Her passion, tenacity and perseverance has been an inspiration to her fellow board members.  Thank you, Victoria Hughes for bringing all the parties to the table and coordinating their efforts.   
  • This application included over 60 letters of support. The outpouring of honesty, passion and compassion has been overwhelming. Thank you to every single person who took the time to voice their support and ask “What can I do to bring a hospice to North Halton?”

Finally, thank you to North Halton. Hospice needs a community filled with heart, and Townsend Smith Foundation is honoured to be in such a community. 

What does the result at Committee of Adjustment mean and what is our next step? FUNDRAISING! Every dollar matters, every fundraiser drives us to our goal, every volunteer spreads the need for a hospice, every major donor propels us forward. 

Purdy’s Chocolate Fundraiser

Purdy's

Do something awesome (for yourself and us too!)⁠

Purchase some Purdy’s chocolates between now and March 26th and support our fundraising campaign to building the first hospice residence for North Halton!⁠

These are delicious chocolates made with sustainable cocoa and crafted right here in Canada. Lots of selection and great gift ideas just in time for Easter !!!⁠

ORDER TODAY: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1498415-92679

Pickup is scheduled for April 13th at Scooter’s Catering #3 – 390 Ontario Street between 2-7pm.⁠

Share online with Friends and Family Between March 1st – 26th⁠

Townsend Smith Foundation Terra Cotta Cookie Fundraiser

Buy delicious, peanut and nut-free cookies (gluten-free and vegan options too!) in packages of 40 frozen cookie dough drops in each 800g box that you bake at home between March 1 – 24. Just in time for Easter Baking!

Terra Cotta Cookies will assign commission to Townsend Smith Foundation for each package of dough purchased.

Pick up your cookie dough Thursday April 7th, 2022. Be sure to pick up your cookies between 3pm & 6pm at Andrews Scenic Acres; 9365 10th Sideroad Halton Hills, L9T 2X9

  • Each cookie you eat donates 13 cents to building the first hospice residence for North Halton!
  • Only 15% of Canadians have early access to palliative care in the community,  if 15% of North Halton buys 1 box of cookies we could raise $127,500 for our hospice!
  • Guidelines recommend 7 – 10 hospice beds per 100,000 people, there are currently NO beds in our growing community of 170,000 people.  Invite 10 people to buy cookies and you raise $50 to build those beds

Happy eating and sharing.

Share online with Friends and Family Between March 1st – 24th

Purchase Today: https://fundraising.terracottacookies.com/current-fundraisers/townsendsmithfoundation/

Townsend Smith Foundation Welcomes Theresa Greeras Part-Time Executive Director as Part-Time Executive Director

Please join us in welcoming Theresa Greer to the Townsend Smith Foundation as Part-Time Executive Director.

Originally from the Barrie area, Theresa and her husband Murray have lived in Georgetown since 1991. Their son, Kevin, daughter-in-law Catherine and two young grandchildren are at the heart of their family circle.

Theresa worked most recently as Executive Director of Heart House Hospice, which serves Brampton and Mississauga. Under her leadership, the staff grew from 8 to 25 and the scope of programs, ranging from volunteer in-home palliative care support to counselling to health and wellness programs, expanded. In 2019, Theresa was instrumental in partnering Heart House with Trillium Health to build a 10-bed hospice for palliative care in Mississauga.

Theresa’s university degrees in Sociology, Psychology, and Social Work, combined with a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership, have led to a rewarding career that include social work with the Children’s Aid Society in Peel Region, and 12 years as Executive Director at Halton Women’s Place, where she oversaw the building of two shelters for abused women. Other career highlights are a partnership with Punjabi Community Health Services to explore end of life needs for our South Asian population, and work with the Province of Ontario for funding of the Hospice Residence Program.

She has also chaired a number of Committees including for the Hospice Association of Ontario (now HPCO) Annual Conference, the Mississauga Halton Palliative Care Network and the Central West Palliative Care Network. She has extensive involvement with local and provincial community organizations such as the Peel Leadership Centre, Holcro Nonprofit Housing, and the Big Sister Association of Ontario. Theresa’s hobbies include golf, reading, and travel – she hopes to return to Ireland and Hawaii when it is safe to do so.

Thank you for joining Townsend Smith Foundation in our mission to provide access to residential palliative care for the residents of Milton and Halton Hills, Theresa. The road may be long, but together we’ll reach our goal!