Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw held its second annual Heartlights Memorial Ceremony on Aug. 30, National Grief Awareness Day, at the Serenity Gardens at Pioneer Lodge. 

The ceremony honoured the memory of those who were served in the Heartland Hospice room at Pioneer Lodge, those who worked as caregivers, friends and family members who are grieving, and to be in a safe space with others who understand that grief. 

The evening was filled with music and readings from palliative community care coordinator Tyler Mudry and palliative home care registered nurse Pat Campbell. 

“We had great weather for it. Laurie McNaughton played her guitar and sang, and then we had some folks from Pioneer Lodge and Palliative Care came and spoke to the families and do some beautiful readings,” said Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw public engagement and fundraising committee chair Amanda Dowling. 

After taking a break during the summer, Dowling said the organization is getting back in the swing of things.  

They recently had their first meeting since the summer break and renovations to add more hospice beds are expected to begin shortly. 

“Construction will start soon, turning that one room into three, and the existing hospice room will be a family room. Then the goal is to keep fundraising so that we can get eventually an access door just for the hospice so you don’t have to go through the whole building,” Dowling said. 

Donations for Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw can be made through their website. 

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