The annual “Handbags for Hospice” event was hosted at the Everest Convention Centre on Thursday, October 12, 2023 by a group of committed volunteers. The event sold out within 48 hours of tickets going on sale and raised an event record $32,000 to support the families cared for at Chatham-Kent Hospice.

At the event, guests play twelve games of Bingo where the prize for each round is a designer handbag from brand names like Michael Kors, Coach, or Kate Spade. An additional 35 prizes generously donated by local businesses were raffled off, in addition to the Platinum Purse draw for a Michael Kors weekender and accessories.

“We are so thankful to the planning committee and the community for their support of Handbags for Hospice. A special thank you to the those who sponsored handbags in memory of their loved ones. This was the fifth year for the event and combined it has raised over $121,000 for families facing end of life. These funds will be used to provide our Hospice residents and their families with compassionate care and our community with grief and bereavement support at no cost to them,” shared Jodi Maroney, Executive Director, Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.

Photo Caption: Handbags for Hospice Planning Committee Members Chantelle Matthew, Dawn McGregor, Dianne Millard and Brenda Anderson with Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation Special Events Coordinator, Katherine Stinson (second from right). Not pictured are committee members Barb McEwan, Barb Anderson, and Deb Vitek.