Mourning children have been transforming the new garden at Langley Hospice into their own sanctuary over the past year, adding flowers, planting tribute shrubs, and spreading special mementos to remember lost loved ones.
“It has been amazing seeing our Horizons Children Garden grow from a dirt pile and our first attempts at wooden planters, to the wonderful setting we have today,” said Linda Sheridan, the child and youth bereavement program coordinator for hospice.
The public will be given a chance to meander into this children’s garden, or walk through the rest of the recently revamped grounds of the 48th Avenue hospice facility next week, during the organization’s fourth annual Garden Party.
The mixer event is intended to thank all the people and organizations that make the hospice programs and services possible.
The cocktail party is a casual fundraiser held Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. And rain or shine, it includes entertainment, a silent auction, and canapes and wine will be served.
Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance by calling 604-530-1115 or email: info@LangleyHospice.com.
At last year’s event, hospice board members hinted at the very real possibility of a new hospice centre being announced in 2016. Well, at this year’s garden party, there will be much celebration, said spokesperson Shannon Todd Booth.
This year they’re rejoicing in the fact that at the end of April, Fraser Health confirmed a site for Langley Hospice Society to build a 15-bed free-standing hospice residence.
Awaiting word on some major funding for the centre, the fundraising committees will be moving forward with a series of initiatives this fall.