Legion donates over $20,000 to ARCH

ARCH Hospice has received a donation of over $20,000 from The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 that will help complete renovations and create a safe and improved end-of-life experience for residents, a news release issued by ARCH stated. 

“We need this for the ease and comfort of the residents,” said Nathan Jean, a PSW at ARCH. 

Full text of the release follows:

ARCH Hospice has received a very generous donation that will positively impact the end-of-life experience for our residents and their families. We are ecstatic to announce that The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 Poppy Trust Fund is helping us to achieve one of our wishes. ARCH would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our local Legion for their ongoing and continued support of Hospice. We are expanding our Family Room door and paving the ground to create a safe, private, and direct path to the courtyard for residents. This renovation will provide such an improvement in the way we are able to care for Algoma residents and family members. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for supporters like The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 Poppy Trust Fund. 

Our highest priority at ARCH is meeting the needs and wants of our residents during one of life’s most important moments, the end-of-life journey. A common wish amongst residents is to spend time outdoors in our back courtyard with their friends and families. They can enjoy the nice weather, wildlife, and nature outdoors in the warmer months. Due to the pandemic and the public health restrictions in place that are limiting indoor visitation, the desire and need to be outside is higher than ever.

“We need this for the ease and comfort of the residents,” said Nathan Jean, an ARCH PSW.

This part of staying at Hospice is so very important and special for the mental wellbeing of our residents and their families during the final days of life. We prioritize maintaining dignity and respect with our residents. To make this essential change to our resident’s stay at Hospice, we require funding and we are beyond thankful for the donation made by the Branch 25 Legion from the Poppy Trust Fund.

Like our local Legion, ARCH Hospice serves and supports the veterans that have served this country. This includes providing support and care to their families: parents, spouses, children, and grandchildren. One of our residents, Edna, has a connection to the community of veterans. Her late husband, Nello Sartor, was in the army and served in World War II. Her son buys the Legion calendars each year and gives them as Christmas presents. Her two daughters had their wedding receptions at the Legion and the whole family buys poppies every year. We look forward to continuing to provide these heroes and their families with care and comfort when they need it most. By helping us expand the exit in our family room and paving the courtyard, we can ensure that dozens of residents including many veterans and their families each year are supported by ARCH.

“The executive, Legion members, and our volunteers collect money during our annual Poppy Campaign. We support Veterans, Veterans families, Youth, and our community. The Executive and our members are pleased to support ARCH Hospice and the great care they provide to our Veterans, family members, and the community. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 Legion Poppy Trust Fund acknowledges the generosity of the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie that helped make this donation possible through their contributions during our Poppy Campaign”, says Pierre Breckenridge, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 First Vice President.

ARCH Hospice is only partially government funded, requiring $850,000 annually in community support as well as the generosity of over 140 volunteers to provide our services. ARCH Hospice care and family support services are offered free of charge. It costs less than half the amount to care for someone in a hospice than in a hospital. Each year, we are honoured to serve more than 150 residents and their families in residential hospice and grief services (600 individuals), and an additional 200 clients in our outreach program. We serve dozens of local veteran families each year. In 2021, ARCH served over 200 residents and their loved ones.

ARCH Hospice provides quality, compassionate care through end-of-life to Algoma District families at no cost. The emotional, spiritual, and physical comfort of our residents and their loved ones is our highest priority. We offer a home-away-from-home during one of life’s most important moments: the end-of life journey.