Charity donates $220K to Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

Written by: Dane Wanniarachige

August 12, 2015

Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare unveiled on Wednesday the Honour Café, made possible by a $220,000 contribution from the charity In Honour of the Ones We Love.

President and CEO of HDGH Janice Kaffer said the benefits of the newly created space are intangible. It’s more than just another cafeteria.

“We know that being in nice surroundings, feeling at home and being able to sit with family members comfortably makes a difference,” she said.

The pleasant atmosphere of the café, located in the Dr. Y. Emara Centre for Healthy Aging and Mobility, is not only meant to benefit patients, but also health-care workers and hospital staff.

“Our employees need space to get off the unit to sit and relax in an area that is not health-care specific,” Kaffer said. “It is an inspiring, rewarding, but difficult job.”

The charity came up with the $220,000 for the centre through fundraising events such as galas, golf tournaments and walk-a-thons. Over 18 years, In Honour of the Ones We Love has raised more than $6 million to improve patient care in Windsor and Essex County.

The donation also went towards the Little Ninja Program, which offers therapeutic martial arts to kids at the hospital’s Regional Children’s Centre.

“Therapeutic martial arts fits so well with our treatment philosophy and offers children the opportunity they likely would have never had,” said Renee Gilliam, manager of intensive family services at HDGH’s Children’s Centre.

Gilliam said that the program helps children who are receiving mental health services learn self-regulation, focus, and build self-esteem.

Anita Imperioli, president and CEO of In Honour of the Ones We Love, said initiatives like these that improve patient and family care are what the charity aims to do.

“I am so proud to be able to give back to this community… and we’re going to continue this partnership with Hotel Dieu,” she said.

Bill Marra, vice-president of external/government affairs, planning and development at HDGH, recalled another time the charity made an impact

“Anita and Teresa Silvestri went to the palliative care unit and gave out hand-knit hats and blankets to cancer patients,” he said. “You had to be there to see the reaction of the patients, it moved them to tears.”

Marra said it is partnerships and gestures like these that direct help transform the quality of health care.

“Whether it be a cafeteria, blankets or a six-figure donation, it all makes a difference,” he said.

Courtest of: The Windsor Star