Proceeds from this year's Tough Enough to Wear Pink at the Williams Lake Stampede benefited the Williams Lake Hospice Society.
Stampede president Court Smith presented $3,200 to the society Monday, Aug. 12, and said every year $1 from every ticket sold for the Sunday rodeo is donated to a local cause.
Previously the Tough Enough to Wear Pink proceeds went to Hough Memorial Cancer Fund Society toward the purchase of cancer detecting equipment at Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
However, when Hough announced it would be folding this year, the Williams Lake Stampede Association board of directors went looking for another local cause.
Hospice society executive director Daphne Johnson and program director Sheri Marsh told Smith the donation will go a long way.
Society volunteers go into people's homes to provide support, often bringing comfort items such as sheepskins and bedding.
Another item they purchased was a fax machine for an elderly couple living past 150 Mile House.
"Neither one of them drove. He was palliative and they had to make arrangements for someone to pick them up and take them to doctors' appointments. They felt they were a burden to their families," Johnson said. "The doctor could fax them the test results and they could have a phone conversation with everything right in front of them."
Johnson said they also raise funds to purchase larger items. They recently bought two sleep sofas for the palliative care rooms at Deni House.
The society receives B.C. Gaming funds, which covers program delivery, has a three-year service agreement with the city of Williams Lake and receive funding for one position by Interior Health Authority.
Additionally, the society raises funds through its annual Memory Tree, Hike for Hospice in the spring, and this year held a Father's Day ice cream event, a Mother's Day event and placed Memory Seeds boxes placed throughout the community.
"We try to get out there as much as we can," Marsh said. "Our long-term goal would eventually be to have a hospice house in Williams Lake."
Johnson said the hospice society is always looking for volunteers.
