Photos credit: Bethell Hospice Foundation staff Nicole Hand and Kelly Stronach
Over 13 years ago while in a training session to become a Resident Support volunteer at Bethell Hospice in Inglewood, Caledon, I heard these words from our amazing trainer, Rami Shami, “it’s a privilege to be a part of someone’s end-of-life journey.”
I have certainly experienced that privilege many times over now.
On the evening of Thursday, December 4, 2025 I had another privilege by reading over 425 names of loved ones remembered at the Bethell Hospice Light & Love Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Many guests braved the bitter cold and were welcomed to celebrate the memory of their loved ones. The ceremony, which is one our hospice’s signature fundraising initiatives, took place outside the front doors of Bethell Hospice. The beautiful voices and sound of the Mayfield Secondary School students signing “Silent Night,” lead the attendees on the walk from the hot chocolate and treats at the Inglewood Community Centre, to the hospice front door.
For each donation, a light was illuminated on the huge trees outside the front entrance. These lights are in memory of the donor’s loved one and the name of each person being remembered was read aloud at the ceremony.
Some who were remembered are former residents of Bethell Hospice. Some have been helped through the Community Programs. Some did not experience Bethell Hospice’s care firsthand but were remembered by family and friends who believe in the value of Bethell Hospice in our community. All were remembered with love, honour, and respect.
Close to 2 million dollars must be raised every year by the Foundation Office at Bethell Hospice. This helps ensure that end-of-life care can be provided to those in need, at no financial cost to them or their families.
Over the years the single most common piece of feedback I have heard from residents, their families and friends is “thank you to Bethell Hospice for the peace and the peacefulness you have brought to our lives at this difficult time.”
I’m reminded of the powerful messages from the book, The Four Things That Matter Most by Dr. Ira Byock, who suggests we can better cope with loss if we reconcile these with a loved one while we can: “I forgive you.” “Please forgive me.” “Thank you.” And. “I love you.”
In addition to the caring health care team, Bethell Hospice operates with the help of close to 150 volunteers from the communities it serves. Volunteers serve by running the helpful reception desk. They help operate the kitchen as amazing cooks. They help by offering direct resident support. There are many seasonal volunteers as well. The flower gardens located outside each resident’s room are planted and maintained by our super talented volunteer gardeners. Each volunteer role has its own training course which must be completed before the volunteer can sign up for any shifts.
I have been a resident support worker since I started. I have learned the value of just being present with another person; reminding each resident who doesn’t have a visitor at any given time, that they are not alone. Volunteering in an end-of-life program isn’t for everyone. It’s for me. And it’s not easy work. But it’s heart work.
Bethell Hospice is a special, caring place to volunteer. Interested in volunteering here? Call our Bethell Hospice volunteer program lead, Kat Powell at kpowell@bethellhospice.org or at 905-838-3534, ext. 2245.
One of the messages shared by Dr. Victor Frankl in his powerful memoir Man’s Search for Meaning is that “when we give to others, we feel better about ourselves.” Indeed.
Editor’s note: We thank Stan Cameron for this heart-felt piece about his experiences at Bethell Hospice. We would like our readers to know that Light & Love donations can be until February 27, 2026. Please visit bethellhospicelightandlove.ca to make an online gift today.
