Hospice of Charlotte receives $28,000 donation

Submitted photo Cathy Jackson, left, executive director of Hospice of Charlotte, Inc. was thrilled to accept a $28,000 donation from former Milltown resident Trudy Eagan. The funds will be used to help in the continuation of many programs offered by the organization, including bereavement counseling and support for families and caregivers.

ST. STEPHEN – In 1982, Ted Meighen passed away from cancer at the Charlotte County Hospital. At the request of his widow, Themadel Foundation (now known as the T. R. Meighen Foundation) manager Allan Magee approached the hospital, as well as the Regional Hospital in Saint John, to address the high cancer rate in Charlotte County.

The services and needs of the area were evaluated, and a Palliative Care Committee comprised of Ruth Kirk RN, Dr. A. Maloney, and Bert Horne, was formed. They determined a plan, and in 1984, the Hospice of Charlotte Program began, funded completely by Themadel, with an office in St. Stephen. By 1986, the organization became a separate entity with charitable tax status in Canada and the U.S., and was offering nursing care in patients’ homes. By 1987, the organization began focusing on practical support for patients, families, and caregivers.

Hospice of Charlotte, Inc. relies on donations from the community, and the organization recently received a $28,000 donation from a former resident of Milltown, Trudy Eagan, who moved to Ontario to work in journalism. Hospice of Charlotte, Inc. board member Donna Bresnahan said the organization is incredibly grateful to have been chosen to be the recipient of this donation, and it will help them to better serve patients, their families, and caregivers throughout Charlotte County.

“Trudy was from Milltown, and went to school with my husband’s younger sisters,” said Bresnahan. “So, I’ve kind of known her for a long time. I know she has done a lot of things for Milltown in particular in the past, because that was her home base. We’re very pleased she chose the whole Charlotte County community. Hospice does serve St. George, Saint Andrews, St. Stephen, Campobello, and Grand Manan.”

In an email to the organization, Eagan said while growing up, she watched her parents support the community in any way that she could. Those values stayed with her, and have helped her to stay on a “steady course” in the “tough world of daily newspapers”.

“I promised Mom and Dad that if I were ever in a position to give back to a town that will always hold a piece of my heart I would,” said Eagan. “Over the years I’ve been happy to support local initiatives that I believe enhance the community. I determined that when I was home this summer I would do my homework and choose a not for profit that spoke to me. I talked to my cousin Bill Eagan and Donna Bresnahan about Hospice of Charlotte. Both have been/are board members and spoke highly of Executive Director Cathy Jackson and the good work being done by committed volunteers in Charlotte County.”

Eagan met with Jackson and Bresnahan, and said that meeting sealed her decision to make this donation to Hospice of Charlotte, Inc.

“Mom and Dad would be proud that I’m able to assist in a small way in making the final stage in the lives of a caring community as gentle and loving as possible,” said Eagan.

Now in its 37th year, Hospice of Charlotte, Inc. has a mandate to provide services to terminally ill people and their caregivers. Bresnahan said a lot of volunteer time is spent with caregivers, and that grief support has become one of the focuses of the organization.

The organization relies on fundraising and donations from the community. Funding comes from a variety of sources, including such events as Hike for Hospice, Artists-by-the-Sea, and Film Fete. Funds are also received from various organizations, including the Tecelote Foundation, and the Teleflex Foundation, which is based in the U.S.

Hospice doesn’t just help people who are dying and their families. Bresnahan said volunteers work with families and patients, and Jackson holds monthly group meetings with people. The organization has also moved into the area of suicide prevention.

“A big area has been her association with the suicide prevention group,” said Bresnahan. “Grief support has really come forward as an area that seems to be a real need in Charlotte County. Cathy (Jackson) does grief counselling sessions. Of course, everything was messed up with COVID, but they’ve been trying. She’s still been working, using that grant. We have done workshops for family survivors of suicide.”

sarigreen@stcroixcourier.ca

Sari Green