"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."
-Anon.

Overview:

In July 2003, funding for the CVHS was almost depleted. Government funding had been terminated for over 3 years, and the ability to raise core operating funds was challenging at best. Given the lack of funding, the board was required to take some strong actions—not all of which were understood or appreciated. Expenditures were drastically curtailed and the office was staffed entirely by volunteers.

As with many organizations, too much was being done by too few. It was apparent that awareness and funding had to be increased. Plus, a core of volunteers needed to be rallied and expanded for committee work.
We Accomplished:

• Networked with friends, families and acquaintances to raise awareness and lay the foundation for fundraising;

• Attended volunteer and Health and Wellness Fairs;

• Implemented a fundraising letter campaign with service clubs and businesses;

• Collaborated with the International Voices for Hospices in holding a Voices for Hospice Concert in the Comox Valley which was a high visibility event in the valley;

• Held the Third Annual Christmas Auction which was very successful;
Completed the fundraising effort with high visibility awareness efforts to match the Comox Community Foundation Grant for purchase of pressure relief mattresses;

• Held on-going dance classes in East Coast and West Coast Swing as an on-going fundraiser;

• Completed the delinquent gaming reports from 3 years prior which enabled CVHS to submit a Direct Access Grant which was very successful;

• Initiated and participated in exploratory meetings with the provincial government, Vancouver Island Health Authority, St Joseph’s General Hospital and other hospices to build on partnerships for end-of-life care;
Created the framework and launched a CVHS web-site;

• Began bi-monthly communication letter with volunteers (including email distribution);

• Applied for/received grant from the Queen Alexandra Foundation to fund a pilot teen grief peer support program;

• Served as a pilot program for VIHA’s “Let Me Decide” volunteer training on the new provincial advanced directives.

• Held the Third Annual Hospice 10K race, walk, children’s race with excellent awareness and financial success; and, held a successful community donation Garage Sale.

We Will Be:
·• Working to enhance communication and education for volunteers through collaboration with community resources;

• Continuing to broaden our core of volunteers to assist with special events and fundraising;

• Continue fundraising letter campaign with service organizations and businesses;

• Continue to act as the catalyst for the end-of-life care community task force;

• Broaden relationships with other organizations representing major diseases (eg, cancer, stroke and heart disease) to lobby for support for palliative/bereavement services as 80% of our clients present with a diagnosis of cancer; and, above all, match fundraising efforts for the upcoming year to support CVHS operations consistent with the new strategic plan to be developed in the fall of 2004.

In summary, the demand for our services is on a steep increase as the population ages and life span is extended. We will need to be determined and focused if we are to be positioned to meet the needs of the upcoming years.