TOLDO FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE HOSPICE OF WINDSOR & ESSEX COUNTY IN MEETING EXPANDING COMMUNITY NEED

November 2020

November 25, 2020

Windsor, ON – The Toldo Family and their Foundation are longtime supporters and champions of the Windsor-Essex community.  Today, they continue their legacy of giving with an extremely generous $300,000 gift to The Hospice of Windsor & Essex County.  

During this unprecedented time, The Hospice of Windsor & Essex County continues to care for patients in our community at both Hospice Residential Homes (two ten bed facilities, located in Windsor and Erie Shores) and through the Hospice Palliative Medicine Program.  Despite the pandemic, Hospice continues to provide care focused on the whole patient – caring for their physical, psychological, social, spiritual and practical needs – and the needs of their families and loved ones.

As the world navigates the COVID-19 pandemic its effects continue to be felt across our community – and the Hospice “in home” Palliative Medicine Program is no exception.  This program supports patients and their loved ones by allowing individuals to stay in their own homes to receive end-of-life care.  Hospice physicians, nurses, social workers, and spiritual care practitioners offer virtual, as well as in-home visits, supporting these patients through the most difficult of times.

Pre-COVID-19, the Hospice “in-home” team would often care for a “roster” of around 160 patients. This number of patients has risen as COVID-19 spread through populations leading to medical facility outbreaks and visitor restrictions. “During COVID our “normal” roster – which is usually around 160 patients – grew, and our team has taken care of as many as 240 patients at one time,” said Dr. Darren Cargill, Medical Director at the Hospice.

With less than 50% government funding, donations remain the lifeline for Hospice’s high-quality palliative care delivery.  The increased need in our community, coupled with the pandemic’s impact on fundraising, prompted the Toldo family to again extend support to our local Hospice.

Anthony G. Toldo, Trustee of The Toldo Foundation said “The Toldo Foundation is pleased to help fill the fundraising gap that COVID-19 has created at Hospice. The agility of Hospice to navigate through this crisis by not only sustaining their level of care but to also increase capacity to deal with the surge of in home requests is exemplary.  It is our hope that this contribution will help Hospice support demand as we face the second wave of the virus.” 

The Toldo Family are longtime financial supporters and champions of The Hospice, with a relationship dating back many years.  The Toldo Family supported the original Hospice Village vision, making our Hospice the first Hospice Village in North America, as well as championing the creation of the Hospice for Life Foundation, with an inaugural $1,000,000 donation.

“For over 40 years this community has sustained our Hospice operations through their generosity,” says Colleen Reaume, Executive Director of The Hospice of Windsor & Essex County. “Mr. Anthony P. Toldo Sr. was a great friend and mentor to Hospice, and he truly put his donations into action as a founding member of our Hospice for Life Foundation. Today, The Toldo Foundation continues his philanthropic vision with their support in our greatest time of need. I am left humbled and inspired by this donation that will enable us to increase the capacity of our programs and services for our community.”

Although this donation will assist the Hospice in continuing its mission, the long-term impacts of COVID-19 remain unknown, and fundraising remains essential to the existence of the Hospice. As we continue to navigate the pandemic, Hospice remains committed to providing the best palliative care to our community and thanks the Toldo Family for their unwavering support in carrying out this mission.