Image Credit: Marilyn Giesbrecht

By Amandalina Letterio

HOSPICE KAMLOOPS

Support for Kamloops Hospice in its time of need

Aug 5, 2021 | 4:55 PM

KAMLOOPS — Two local businesses are collaborating to fundraise for Kamloops Hospice.

Geisbrecht and Associates has partnered with DW Builders to host its second annual drive-thru donation event where donors can give money, gift cards, and other items posted to the hospice Facebook page.

“It was the first time I could just feel this absolute relief,” said Marilyn Geisbrecht, owner at Geisbrecht and Associates.

Geisbrecht is organizing the Stop, Drop and Donate event for Kamloops Hospice because of her personal experience. 11 years ago, her husband was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

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“It was really really…. To raise three kids and then have a dependent as well and try to continue to work and run a business at the same time. It was very very stressful,” Geisbrecht explained to CFJC News.

Last year, the event raised $28,000 which helped the hospice get a special lift. This year, they hope to get new sit-to-stand chairs that help with mobility. Donations from the event will not only help the organization function, they offer relief to families letting go of loved ones.

“You walked in there and it was very comfortable, it was comforting to my three children who were young at the time. We spent three weeks there and it was so peaceful. What an amazing place. I call people who work there angels on earth,” Geisbrecht recalled.

Kamloops Hospice is reliant on its annual fundraiser that usually brings in around $150,000, but it has been cancelled because of the pandemic. That money was used to replace equipment and fund needs.

“We raised over $1.2 million a year to keep our doors open and do the incredible care that we give here,” said Wendy Marlow, executive director at Kamloops Hospice Association.

“So this really goes a long way to take some of that pressure off, but it’s practical things, so we’re grateful to our community for that,” Marlow added.

About 250 people a year have their end-of-life experience at Kamloops Hospice and Geisbrecht said it was a happy note to an ending.

“He was a great man, a great father to the three daughters that we have and certainly a great legacy that we want to continue for him,” she said.

Stop, Drop and Drive will take place on Saturday, August 7 from 10-2 p.m. inside the IG Private Wealth Management parking lot at 741 Sahali Terrace. Click here to learn more.