HISTORY
The Fairview and Area Palliative Care Society was started in 1992 as a group of concerned community members who identified palliative concerns for area residents. Founding members were Lisa Westin, Lou Hrushka, Doreen Fletcher, Mike Cochrane, Gwen Prusak, and Alice Casper. These members were representatives from Acute Care Hospital, Long Term Care, Home Care, Ministerial, Cansurmont and community members at large. The committee became a society in approximately 1994.
Board of Directors
Gwen Prusak has been with The Fairview and Area Palliative Care Society since it started in 1992.
Rhonda Crane has been with The Fairview and Area Palliative Care Society since 2017.
Michelle Wald has been treasurer since 2005 for The Fairview and Area Palliative Care Society.
Melissa Janssen has been with The Fairview and Area Palliative Care Society since 2017.
FUNDRAISING:
Festival of Trees
The first fundraiser was “Light Up A Memory” where Christmas light bulbs were lite up in memory of a loved one on a display board which was located at the Hemstock Park. It was on display during the Christmas season.
The Festival of Trees fundraiser started in 1995 in the Fine Arts Centre. Initially the trees occupied one side of the Fine Arts Centre and ran for two weeks. The first year we received 30 tree entries which exceeded all our expectations. The community support for this festival grew each year until the Fine Arts Centre could not accommodate all the entries. Betty James from Dunvegan Inn and Suites generously offered us the space in the banquet room. The length of the Festival of Trees was shortened to one week. All the local communities continue to support our Festival with their Christmas entries. Many thousands of Volunteer hours have contributed to the success of this Festival.
