THUNDER BAY — The 14th Annual Hike for Hospice returned to Boulevard Lake on Sunday.
Around 100 people hiked the 5-kilometre loop and fundraised more than $50,000 to support Hospice Northwest — more expected to be totalled later in the month from tickets and a silent auction.
The in-person and virtual hike also involved people hiking in Terrace Bay and other communities in conjunction with Thunder Bay.
Donna Jeanpierre, Hospice Northwest’s executive director, was hiking in memory of her mom, who passed in 2021. She said they do some work in communities within the city’s district.
“It’s important because it is our one and only annual fundraiser that helps support all the programs that we do offer to people going through supporting someone at end of life, someone going through end of life or someone grieving the loss of a loved one,” said Jeanpierre.
She said it’s also an opportunity to come together as a community and think about the people that were lost in a “really meaningful and beautiful way.”
“I think really important as well that it’s bringing the community together to just recognize that these are all really natural parts of life that we’re all experiencing and to come together as a community and kind of normalize that and support one another,” said Jeanpierre.
As part of these efforts, participants were also offered the chance to wear “I am hiking for” signs during the hike.
“We’ve asked people to send in a picture if they wanted to of someone that they want to think about, in particular, during the time that they’re hiking,” said Jeanpierre.
“And we give them a ribbon they can tie in the butterfly wall at the butterfly garden and they can also put a flower out on the water in memory of that person.”
With the walk around the lake timed around an hour, Jeanpierre added that they know that some people either don’t have time or maybe don’t have the mobility to do it.
As such, she said they’re grateful to have Driving Miss Daisy, a non-medical service for seniors and those with disabilities, that will drive people back after one and a half kilometres.
“We’re really grateful for all the support from the community, from businesses and individuals who’ve supported through donations put through the online auction (and) all the people that have signed up to hike today,” said Jeanpierre.
