Ralph Boychuk of the Rose Garden Hospice Association accepts a cheque from Malcolm Jenkins, owner of Canadian Tire, who is joined by Tim Hortons owner Ed Zaparaniuk. (Dawson Thompson/paNOW Staff)

By Dawson Thompson

Step in the right direction

Local donation helps Rose Garden Hospice get one step closer to construction

Oct 15, 2020 | 8:00 AM

A step in the right direction was made at the location for the soon to be built Rose Garden Hospice, as a major donation was officially handed over by local business owner, Malcolm Jenkins.

Jenkins, who is the owner of the local Canadian Tire made a pledge to the hospice by contributing $500,000 toward their construction and today made another large deposit toward that goal.

“Today, we donated $18,000 to the hospice. That is our part in matching the funds that was raised by Tim Hortons for the smile cookie week,” Jenkins said.

The $500,000 that Canadian Tire is donating to the hospice is being donated throughout five years, alongside other fundraisers.

“We said the way we would donate it would be matching funds on various projects,” Jenkins said. “Last year, we matched the ticket sales for Mamma Mia — that was $72,000. At Christmas we sell Toffee at Canadian Tire and we pledge $1 per box.”

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Jenkins added last year the store raised $22,000 from their Toffifee sales and are expecting the same this year. Just over two years into his five-year pledge, Jenkins is over halfway to his contribution.

“We do it in such a way that it increases the awareness and exposure of the hospice, so folks will know the fundraising is going on and are able to keep in touch with it,” he said.

Board member and spokesperson for the Rose Garden Hospice, Marina Mitchell said COVID has impacted their fundraising, but construction can be expected to begin in the spring.

“It definitely has stunted our fundraising and put slower progress on it, but it has picked up in the last month, that is exciting for us, and we’re going strong now,” Mitchell said.

“We obviously don’t want to start construction in the fall. Winter costs would put even more money on our project than needed. If anything, it will be a spring start, that’s for sure.”

Mitchell added they would like to be at three quarters toward their $4,000,000 goal before starting construction. As of now they are over halfway, around $2,500,000.

Due to the pandemic, the Rose Garden Hospice Association is planning on doing some online fundraisers that can be found on its website, or Facebook page.

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: dawsonthompson8