A Recipe for Legacy: A PAC Client, Adult Child, Grandchild and the Support of a Hospice Volunteer
Our volunteer Paula helped our client sort, sometimes transcribe, and then compile all her favourite recipes into a book, and then had Staples print one copy for each of her children and grandchildren. The copies were ready for Thanksgiving weekend. The client’s family member shared photos of our client, giving it to her granddaughter. (So sweet!)
This client’s daughter proactively offered to write a letter with her mom about the supports her mother has received from the Philip Aziz Centre for Hospice Care. All the members of this incredibly warm and wonderful family were recipients of copies of the recipe book. It was a wonderful example of Legacy Work, and how we can support families and clients.
Photo: A hospice client creates a recipe book legacy project and presents it to her granddaughter, with help from her PAC hospice volunteer.
With permission, below is the story from our PAC Community Hospice client and her daughter about a project the Legacy project completed with their PAC Volunteer:
“I am writing on behalf of my mother and my family.
The services that the Philip Aziz Centre (PAC) provided have been so essential during this time of our lives. During my mom’s last several months, she has been given an amazing gift of a PAC volunteer: Paula. Paula and my mom worked together on one of my mom’s “bucket list” items—making a recipe book for her family.
Paula and my mom spent their time together brainstorming ideas, gathering recipes and compiling photos. Then Paula went about her “labour of love.” She photocopied, scanned, printed and assembled a beautiful recipe book – completely capturing my mom’s heart for cooking for her family. The book will be a cherished memory for many years to come. What an amazing project to work on while volunteering with someone in the last season of their life. Helping them create something beautiful to give their family.
Photo: Hospice Volunteer, Paula, proudly displays the recipe book legacy project she worked on, together with her client.
I hope by sharing this story it will inspire and capture the imaginations of volunteers and donors to see how the gift of time, creativity, listening and thinking outside the box can give joy to a person in the last season of their life, as well as the person’s family.
Again, thank you so much for journeying with my mom and our family during this time.
Please use this with our full permission in whatever way it will be helpful.
With much thanks,
K and E”
“I will never forget this project or this client – it has been such a joy to watch this come together for this incredible lady and her beautiful, inspiring family.” ~ Sarah Johnson, PAC Client Coordinator
Photo: Sarah Johnson, PAC Client Coordinator, together with another community hospice client, for another meaningful moment.
