Image Credit: CFJC News

By Amandalina Letterio

Cassie's Charity Drive

‘It’s really close to home’: 15-year-old raises more than $19,000 for Kamloops Hospice

Jan 5, 2022 | 4:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — Fifteen-year-old Cassie McNutt handed a big cheque of $19,303.00 to Kamloops Hospice Wednesday (Jan. 5) morning.

The money was raised through the third annual Cassie’s Charity Drive. Every year, she decks out her house with Christmas Lights and welcomes the community to visit her home.

“I was super surprised, we had donations coming from everywhere in Kamloops. Even outside of Kamloops as well,” McNutt tells CFJC News.

The end-of-life home is special to the McNutt family.

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“I remember being in here when I was little,” she says. “I definitely remember the toy room. It’s a big memory in my head. My dad’s dad, brother, and best friend have all passed here. So, it’s really close to home for us.”

The money Cassie raised will purchase three $6,000 ceiling lifts for the Kamloops Hospice. The lifts are vital for patient care and comfort.

“If you take this room for example, there would be a lift on the ceiling. There’s a pad under the patient and it’s really comfortable. Less stressful to move them than a mobile lift, and it’s also safer for our staff,” Wendy Marlow, Kamloops Hospice Executive Director Wendy Marlow explains.

The pandemic has made fundraising challenging for Hospice – which is highly dependant on donations.

“The $19,000 is huge for us. And it is a difficult time to fundraise or just to make sure that that awareness is there,” Marlow adds.

In addition to the cash, Cassie’s charity drive collected 95 bags of donated items which will be sold at Flutter Buys, the Hospice thrift shop.

“Everyone in the Hospice — just seeing them all smile and be so grateful for it really makes me happy,” McNutt says.

Next year, Cassie’s Charity Drive will raise money for Kamloops Hospice again, and her goal is even bigger.

“This year we started at $10,000 and doubled that, maybe we’ll start at $20,000 and double that,” she says.