Submitted –
December 10, 2015
For Immediate Release
Media Release
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice Celebrates the Holiday Season in Abbotsford
ABBOTSFORD, BC – DECEMBER 10, 2015 – Canuck Place Children’s Hospice kicked off the holiday season with the lighting of festive lights at their second provincial location, Dave Lede House, in Abbotsford on Wednesday, December 9th.
The Abbotsford location is operating community-centered services providing counselling, recreation therapy and clinical consultation to children and families in the Fraser Valley.
“The Lighting of the House is an important tradition for Canuck Place,” said Margaret McNeil, Canuck Place CEO. “With our second provincial location in operating out-patient services, this event provides us the opportunity to celebrate our supporters from around the Fraser Valley and light up the holiday season officially for Canuck Place children and families.”
“From the minute we arrive at Canuck Place, we are surrounded by amazing staff, volunteers and clinical team members,” said Petra Fellinger, Canuck Place mom to Nicholas Schwuchow. “We are able to be together as a family without the interruptions of everyday life and also take a little time for ourselves while the kids enjoy all the amenities at this wonderful place. The kids love coming and always have a great time. Canuck Place is truly magical. We are so grateful for their support.”
The Schwuchow’s were scheduled to be in attendance to “flip the switch” but unfortunately, 3-year old Nicholas on the Canuck Place program was too ill to attend in the evening. Instead, Jenna Prem, a teen fundraiser for Canuck Place from Abbotsford and recent Vancouver Canucks “Hammer’s Hero” was there to light up the holiday tree in honour of Nicholas and Canuck Place children and families from across British Columbia.
Those in attendance at Wednesday’s event included local donors and supporters, Canuck Place Families, MLA Simon Gibson, and a number of Abbotsford city Councillors.
The festive event included performances by Four Real – a local quartet choir, and children were entertained with a variety of activities, including holiday crafting and a visit by Santa himself.
Photos Attached (Photos by Leida Hartmann-Wong):
CPCH_LOH_Abbotsford_Audience_Tree.JPG: Canuck Place Children’s Hospice celebrated the holidays at their second provincial location in Abbotsford. The audience in attendance included donors, key partners, neighbours, friends and Canuck Place families.
CPCH_LOH_Abbotsford_Jenna_Prem_Debbie_Butt.JPG: Teen fundraiser for Canuck Place, Jenna Prem, joined Director, Communications, Marketing & Events at Canuck Place, Debbie Butt, to ‘flip the switch’ and officially light the house.
(L to R) – Jenna Prem (Canuck Place Fundraiser) and Debbie Butt (Canuck Place Director, Communications, Marketing & Events)
CPCH_LOH_Abbotsford_MLA_Simon_Gibson.JPG: MLA Simon Gibson joined in the holiday celebrations at Canuck Place, along with a number of Abbotsford city Councillors.
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Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is British Columbia’s recognized pediatric palliative care provider. Over 600 newborns, children and teens with life-threatening illnesses and their families receive care from CPCH through outreach programs and two provincial hospice locations; Vancouver and Abbotsford. Services include clinical respite and family support, pain and symptom management, 24-hour phone consultation support and in-house clinical care, art and education, recreation therapy, grief and loss counselling and end-of-life care. Through the investment of the community, our talented team, and over 325 energetic volunteers we make a lasting difference in the lives of children and the families who love them. www.canuckplace.org
Media Contact:
Debbie Butt
Director, Communications and Marketing
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
Direct: 1.604.646.1342 | Cell: 1.604.999.7402
Email: debbie.butt@canuckplace.org
Carey Summerfelt
Manager, Events and Communications
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
Direct: 604.646.0519 | Cell: 604.809.2906
Email: carey.summerfelt@canuckplace.org