The Abbotsford Hospice Society’s 14th annual gala on Friday night raised more than $120,000.
The Moments of Hope Gala, held at the Quality Hotel and Conference Centre, welcomed more than 200 guests. The event included a dinner, followed by silent and live auctions.
New executive director Ron Kuehl spoke about the importance of palliative care and grief support services to the community.
Kuehl said more than 4,400 people in Abbotsford have been impacted in the past year by the services at Holmberg House, an adult hospice that opened in April 2016 next to Abbotsford Regional Hospital (ARH).
Funds raised at the gala provide support for grief and loss programs for adults, youth and children, as well as for palliative care program support at Holmberg House and ARH.
“We are grateful and strongly depend upon the generous support of our community to make these services available,” Kuehl said.
Abbotsford Hospice Society (AHS) board chair David Turchen remembered Dave Holmberg Sr. with a presentation of a framed photo to Holmberg’s wife Lee and family.
Holmberg, who died in late January at the age of 75, was instrumental in the creation of Holmberg House through his generous financial support and encouragement of others to do the same.
AHS announced plans for an annual memorial golf tournament in honour of Holmberg and in support of Holmberg House, with details to be announced at a later date.
Plans are already underway for the next gala, being help on April 27, 2018.
Visit abbotsfordhospice.org for more information about AHS and Holmberg House.