Volunteers, families and donors gather Sept. 11
Carman and Area Palliative Care is marking three decades of helping patients and families navigate one of life’s most difficult journeys.
The volunteer-driven program, founded in 1995 by the late Sandi Mae Richardson and an advisory group of community members, has grown into a cornerstone of comfort and dignity in the region. On Thursday, Sept. 11, the organization will celebrate its 30th anniversary with an open house in the newly renovated Palliative Garden at Carman Memorial Hospital from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., followed by a come-and-go gathering at Boyne Lodge from 2 to 4 p.m. Cake, refreshments and displays will be available, along with handmade jewelry and cards for sale in support of the program.
Richardson, remembered as a compassionate mother, sister and friend, was instrumental in the creation of Carman Palliative Care. After attending a provincial hospice and palliative care conference in 1995, she recognized the need for local support and rallied a group to designate a hospital room and train volunteers. The first 15 volunteers graduated in the fall of 1995, and Richardson remained a key executive member until her passing.
“Our community is so fortunate that the idea came to be through Sandi and her organizing committee,” said Sandy Cameron, Carman Palliative Care’s volunteer coordinator. “It’s a tribute to people like Sandi who recognized the importance of honouring death as we do birth — the circle of life.”
Richardson’s legacy lives on not only in the program’s services but also in the countless families who found peace and support during their most vulnerable times.
The Carman Palliative Care program provides respite for patients and families both in hospital and at home. Volunteers assemble complimentary baskets filled with thoughtful items such as water, snacks, toiletries, lotions, lip balm, puzzle books, grief support information and meal vouchers. These baskets are delivered to families as they enter palliative care, ensuring their practical needs are met during long hospital stays.
“The patients and families feel comforted to know that there are supports for them during such a delicate time,” Cameron said. “Our goal is to help make their time with us more comfortable.”
One family member shared their experience:
“My own testimony is the relief I felt when my mom was moved to the palliative care room and our family could stay comfortably, eat on our schedule and care for Mom in privacy. Comfort care and personal support mean so much — and the friendly volunteers who visited her when I was at work were invaluable.”
With an aging population, Cameron added, programs like Carman Palliative Care are more important than ever. “Many communities are not as fortunate as ours and do not have the same supports,” she said.
Since 1995, each coordinator and group of volunteers has left their mark on the program. Today, Carman Palliative Care has 27 trained volunteers who offer their time and compassion. Over the years, fundraising efforts have allowed the group to purchase specialty equipment such as pressure-relief beds, lift chairs and a portable ultrasound machine, as well as to furnish quiet rooms where families can gather with loved ones.
The organization also coordinates grief support, partnering with groups such as The Compassionate Friends to host monthly meetings for those coping with loss.
“Every volunteer and coordinator has brought new ideas and a different way of doing things, and that has only helped the program grow into what it is today,” Cameron said.
A focal point of this year’s anniversary celebration is the renovated Palliative Garden at Carman Memorial Hospital. Built and maintained by the organization, the garden features colourful plants, benches, pathways and a gazebo. It offers a peaceful place for patients, families and hospital visitors to rest and reflect.
“The garden is an awesome space to sit and relax, visit with family or other patients. We hope that it brings peace and tranquility to all who visit it,” Cameron said.
Recent upgrades include landscaping, new shrubs and brickwork to refresh the well-loved space.
Sustained by community generosity.
Unlike hospital programs funded through government budgets, Carman Palliative Care relies entirely on donations and fundraising. Community support has been steadfast, with initiatives ranging from raffles, garage sales and gala dinners to creative projects such as handcrafted card and jewelry sales.
One of the most enduring traditions is the annual Memory Tree fundraiser, hosted at Access Credit Union each holiday season. For a donation, participants can hang an angel on the tree in memory of a loved one, creating both a tribute and a source of support for the program. Donations of $20 or more receive a tax receipt, and all proceeds go directly toward patient comfort and program operations.
“The Memory Tree has become a holiday tradition in Carman,” Cameron said. “It’s a beautiful way for the community to remember loved ones who have passed while supporting palliative care.”
Cameron, who has served as coordinator for the past decade, said she has been humbled by the program’s impact.
“There have been so many individuals, volunteers and events that have been memorable and meaningful,” she said. “This position is more than a job — it’s an experience I’ll be forever grateful for.”
As she looks ahead to the anniversary, Cameron said she is most excited to gather with the people who have built and sustained Carman Palliative Care over 30 years.
“Donations and volunteers keep this program running. Without them, our palliative care program in the community would not exist,” she said. “We couldn’t be more appreciative of our generous community.”
The anniversary is open to everyone, with the theme of recognizing the incredible work of staff, volunteers, and the community over the past three decades — and honouring the legacy of Sandi Mae Richardson, whose vision helped bring palliative care to Carman.
For more information on grief resources, visit mygrief.ca.
