Nov 29, 2022 | Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MILTON, ONTARIO, November 29th, 2022- On this Giving Tuesday, a ‘global generosity movement’ held annually, the Townsend Smith Foundation (TSF) and our community came together to unveil signage that clearly proclaims the future home of North Halton’s first hospice residence.
“Today the momentum that has been achieved through the generosity of the local community continues with the TSF being able to loudly and proudly proclaim the first site of much-need hospice care for the residents of North Halton and area” said Astrid Lakats, Board Chair, and proud donor for TSF.
A variety of local dignitaries joined the TSF Board, leadership volunteers, donors, and other community leaders to celebrate the future for a state-of-the-art hospice that will serve the community once completed. “The support from the community has and continues to make all the difference,” said Astrid, who also noted that the next step will be a fundraising campaign to raise what the province often calls the “community share” for this vital project. “Every donation has an impact, and the ability to help us in reaching our goal. There is a lot of work ahead of us, so the support of our community is key in building a hospice residence on the property.”
Those wishing to learn more about hospice care in North Halton, the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation, or make a donation, on this Giving Tuesday are encouraged to visit: https://www.townsend-smith.ca/.
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About Townsend Smith Foundation
Working vigorously since 2012, the Townsend Smith Foundation, TSF, is a registered charitable organization with a unique mandate to provide the supports and education to those interested in hospice care, in the last stages of living, or bereaved. Our meaningful projects include free seminars to raise awareness for the need and benefit of hospice palliative care, support for caregivers, children and will planning, group discussions of death through death cafes, and honouring those who have passed through candlelight ceremony. TSF volunteers consistently engage our community on hospice care and its needs in North Halton with a key objective being to raise funds to build hospice facilities in North Halton.
For further information at Townsend Smith Foundation please contact
Ms. Astrid Lakats, Chair, Board of Directors
bod@townsend-smith.ca I 289.878.3407
Apr 21, 2022 | Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MILTON, ONTARIO, April 21, 2022 – The Townsend Smith Foundation (TSF) accomplished the first of many steps to achieving specialized hospice care for North Halton following a recent agreement with the Hillcrest United Church to purchase the Church’s property and redevelop the site for a 10-bed community hospice facility. “As the saying goes, ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’, and today TSF secured long sought property in North Halton which with planning and approvals secured, will be developed into dedicated hospice care for those in need” shared Board Chair, Astrid Lakats.
The Hillcrest property offers a unique opportunity for TSF to finally develop a project that will offer the type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient’s pain and symptoms. It will support emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life for those in need. The charity fully understands that under current provincial guidelines more beds will be needed as soon as possible and TSF continues discussions about a facility at the Milton Education Village (MEV) Innovation Centre.
“Hillcrest United Church was built following a gift from a local family that still has deep ties to our Church and community, said Hillcrest United Church Council Chair, John Field. “We’re proud to continue that tradition of community philanthropy through our partnership with TSF. Hillcrest United Church will not cease to exist, but will continue as an active congregation during the construction, and will have a unique space within the hospice to continue our ministry in the community”, he added.
“Through our dedicated team of professionals and volunteers, TSF has and continues to work tirelessly to build access to hospice beds, programs, and supports that our community needs. With the achievement of property for our first site, TSF will ramp up our community engagement and fundraising efforts to ensure the ambition for specialized end of life care in North Halton is realized as quickly as possible”, summarized Lakats.
TSF’s hospice care will prioritize patient comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering but will also support the needs of family and friends in a supportive environment.
Those wishing to learn more about hospice care for North Halton, the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation, or to offer support through a generous gift or as a volunteer are encouraged to visit https://www.townsend-smith.ca/donate/.
About Townsend Smith Foundation
Working vigorously since 2012, the Townsend Smith Foundation, TSF, is a registered charitable organization with a unique mandate to provide the supports and education to those interested in hospice care, in the last stages of living, or bereaved. Our meaningful projects include free seminars to raise awareness for the need and benefit of hospice palliative care, support for caregivers, children and will planning, group discussions of death through death cafes, and honouring those who have passed through candlelight ceremony. TSF volunteers consistently engage our community on hospice care and its needs in North Halton with a key objective being to raise funds to build hospice facilities in North Halton.
For further information at Townsend Smith Foundation please contact
Ms. Astrid Lakats, Chair, Board of Directors
bod@townsend-smith.ca I 289.878.3407
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Jun 17, 2021 | Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE
(MILTON, June 17, 2021)
Today, Premier Doug Ford and MPP Parm Gill announced the development of the Milton Education Village (MEV), which will include a potential hospice, campuses for Conestoga College and Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as a new retirement village and long-term care home owned and operated by Schlegel Villages.
Townsend Smith Foundation has been working to build a hospice for North Halton. The community support has been continuous and overwhelming. In the information session this morning, MPP Parm Gill referenced the Townsend Smith Foundation and we are encouraged by today’s announcement and grateful that Premier Ford and MPP Gill recognize the need for a hospice within our community.
For more information, the Government of Ontario’s Press Release can be found here https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000362/ontario-supports-expansion-of-postsecondary-education-and-long-term-care-in-milton.
CONTACT
Astrid Lakats
Chair, Townsend Smith Foundation
Telephone: 905-875-3936
Sep 5, 2019 | Donation, Press Releases
NEWS RELEASE
(MILTON, September 3, 2019) – The LWSP Slo-pitch tournament is giving a boost to efforts to bring residential hospice care to the Milton and Halton Hills areas with a $20,000 donation to the Townsend Smith Foundation.
Organizers say they have been supportive of the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation and the founding Smith and Townsend families for several years and wanted to help propel them even further with this contribution.
“On behalf of the LWSP organizing committee and the players, spectators, volunteers, local businesses and community partners who have supported the tournament over the years, we are thrilled to be making this donation to the Townsend Smith Foundation,” says Laurie Day, LWSP committee chair. “The Townsend Smith Foundation’s plan to bring residential hospice care to the Milton and Halton Hills area will support residents for years to come and it’s an effort we’re proud to support,” says Day.
Since its inception, the LWSP Slo-pitch tournament has been rooted in community spirit and giving. The event was founded in 1996 by friends in their last year of high school when one of their group suffered a tragic pool accident resulting in a spinal cord injury. Witnessing the community come together prompted the group to continue the event for the benefit of others.
While the organizing committee has evolved over the years, the founding group’s compassion and commitment to supporting individuals, families and organizations in Milton has lived on. Over the past 24 years, the LWSP Slo-Pitch tournament has been attended annually by hundreds of players and spectators and has provided financial support to dozens of Milton families, individuals and organizations. To this day it remains one of the most popular summer events in Milton and draws teams from throughout the GTA and beyond.
For more information contact:
Laurie Day – laurie.day@investorsgroup.com
