Organized by community members Gerry Enns and Kim Percy, with support from Chilliwack Hospice Society event manager Sharilyn Jackson, the annual tournament honours the memory and legacy of beloved local business leader Russ Walsh while raising vital funds for free grief and palliative care programs and services in our community.

Held at Meadowlands Golf & Country Club, this year’s tournament raised nearly $60,000 for Chilliwack Hospice Society, helping ensure individuals and families facing dying, death, grief, and bereavement can continue to access compassionate support at no cost.

Participants enjoyed a round of golf on Meadowlands’ scenic 18-hole, par 70 course, along with lunch and opportunities to connect with friends, colleagues, and fellow community members throughout the day.

Now in its third year, the Russ Walsh Memorial Golf Tournament continues to bring people together in Russ’ memory while carrying forward his legacy of community support.

Chilliwack Hospice Society extends its sincere thanks to Gerry Enns and Kim Percy for their continued leadership in organizing the tournament, to presenting sponsor Prospera, and to the golfers, sponsors, donors, volunteers, Meadowlands Golf & Country Club, and everyone who contributed to another meaningful and successful event.

Held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Evergreen Hall, this year’s Hometown Hoedown for Hospice welcomed a sold-out crowd of 250 guests, a record for the event. Proudly presented by Century Plumbing & Heating, the evening was filled with high-energy fun, generosity and down-home country charm as sponsors, donors, volunteers and supporters came together from across the community.

Guests enjoyed a delicious barbecue dinner, games, a lively Dessert Dash, a 50-50 draw and a particularly successful online auction featuring more than 100 items generously donated by local individuals and businesses. With bidding from both event attendees and supporters across the community, the auction played a major role in this year’s record-breaking result.

The celebration also featured a surprise line-dancing flash mob by DanceFixx and live music from the Dusty Boots Band, whose mix of country and rock kept the dance floor full well into the evening.

“This year’s Hometown Hoedown for Hospice was a wonderful example of our community coming together in support of a cause that touches so many lives,” said Sue Knott, executive director of Chilliwack Hospice Society. “We are deeply grateful to every sponsor, donor, volunteer and guest who helped make this record-breaking evening possible.”

Chilliwack Hospice Society extends sincere appreciation to all event sponsors, auction and Dessert Dash donors, volunteers, professional service providers and community supporters for their generous support of this year’s Hometown Hoedown for Hospice.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.

PECSF is the BC Public Service’s employee-led workplace giving program, and since 1965, it has helped raise over $50 million for charities across the province. We are honoured to be a current donor choice charity and to be among the many organizations empowered by this meaningful initiative.

During the 2024 campaign, 6,191 donors from across B.C. contributed more than $2.63 million through PECSF — an extraordinary accomplishment made possible by the dedication of more than 1,000 volunteers who canvassed, coordinated, and championed the cause within their workplaces.

The portion of these funds directed to Chilliwack Hospice Society helps us provide compassionate care and free support services to individuals and families in our community who are impacted by dying, death, and grief. Every donation makes a difference — helping us continue to offer programs for children, youth, and adults, from one-on-one grief support to community education and hospice volunteer training.

We are incredibly thankful to the employees who chose to support our work through PECSF, and to the volunteers who made it all possible. Your care and community spirit are making a real impact right here in Chilliwack.

To our friends in the BC Public Service: if you are considering supporting us through the PECSF program, we invite you to select Chilliwack Hospice Society as your charity of choice. Your donations directly support people in our community when they need it most.

To learn more about the PECSF program and how to give, please visit their website.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.

If you would like to contribute an item or a cash donation to purchase an item for our online silent auction, please contact Sharilyn Jackson, Event Manager, at (604) 795-4660 or email sharilyn@chilliwackhospice.org. Thank you!

As donations are confirmed, we will update the following list:

• Abbotsford Canucks
• Algra Bros.
• Amazing Co.
• Arts Club Theatre
• Ascend Fitness & Lifestyle
• Banter Ice Cream
• Barn Country Bar, The
• BC Lions
• B Fit Personal Training
• Blenz Coffee
• Bozzini’s Restaurant
• Chilliwack Boxing Club
• Chilliwack Chiefs
• Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre
• Coast Chilliwack Hotel by APA
• Cottonwood Centre
• Cultus Lake Golf Club
• District 1881
• Earls Kitchen & Bar
• Elements Chilliwack Casino
• Excel Martial Arts
• E-Exit Chilliwack
• Fluxx CycleHouse
• Forest Echoes Cabins
• Fountain Tire
• Frankie’s Italian Kitchen
• FYidoctors — Chilliwack
• Gary Baars PREC
• Good Taco
• Greystone Dental
• GridZone Games
• High Hopes B & B
• House of Comedy
• H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
• Ironside Design Manufacturing
• Island Tan (Hocking Ave.)
• J. Adam & Sons Ltd.
• Jack’s Cycle
• Jacqueline Tait Notary Public
• Jiffy Lube
• Kelly/Carlos O’Bryans Pub
• Ken’s Tire & Wheel
• Kumsheen Rafting Resort
• Longfellow’s Furniture
• Major League 2 Taphouse & Sports Pub
• Men In Kilts
• Old Spaghetti Factory, The
• Oxygen Yoga & Fitness
• Pink ‘N Blue Kidz Clothing
• Prism Studio
• Quesada — Cottonwood
• Rebalance Rehab
• Royalwood Golf Course
• Smooth Effects Chilliwack
• Stó꞉lō Gift Shop
• Sue Knott
• The Keg
• TNT Hay
• Twisted Roots Salon
• Vancouver Art Gallery
• Vancouver Bandits
• Vancouver Canadians
• Vancouver Warriors

Updated as of March 6, 2026.

Sue Knott (centre) attended ‘bingo night’ on October 23 where the Dogwood Monarch Lions Club made their official cheque presentation to Chilliwack Hospice Society.

On October 8, Executive Director Sue Knott attended the club’s evening meeting to share an update on the Society’s work over the past year. Following her presentation, members of the Dogwood Monarch Lions Club surprised the Society with a commitment to donate $20,000 toward hospice programs and services. Knott later joined the club on October 23 during their weekly livestream bingo night for an official cheque presentation. “We are deeply grateful to the Dogwood Monarch Lions Club for their incredible generosity,” said Knott. “Their support helps us continue providing compassionate care and programs for individuals and families in our community who are living with dying, death, and loss.”

Chilliwack Hospice Society extends its sincere thanks to the Dogwood Monarch Lions Club for their ongoing dedication to serving the community.

Sibling grief is one form of disenfranchised grief, the kind of grief that society too often fails to acknowledge or validate. Siblings are sometimes called “the forgotten mourners,” as their loss can be overshadowed by attention given to parents, partners, or children of the deceased. But the bond between siblings is one of the most significant and enduring relationships in life and the grief that comes from its loss can last a lifetime.

“Sibling grief is one of the least acknowledged forms of grief, despite siblings often being our longest and most formative relationships. Greater awareness through publications and social media in the realm of grief education and the need for establishing peer grief groups are essential supports needed for navigating a sibling’s unique and enduring bereavement.”
— Earla Legault, co-author of Living with Sibling Grief: Imagining a Way Forward, and Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteer

Earla Legault

Why sibling grief matters

From childhood through adolescence and into adulthood, sibling relationships help shape our sense of identity. They are our first companions and rivals, our teachers and protectors, and the people who know our history from the beginning. Many siblings share decades of life together, often more time than with anyone else. Research has shown that siblings spend up to a third of their early years together, more than with parents, teachers, or friends.

Despite the closeness of this bond, the grief that follows a sibling’s death is rarely recognized for its depth or duration. Our culture tends to give less acknowledgement to sibling relationships, even though they are nearly universal and profoundly formative. When a sibling dies, it can feel as though part of one’s own identity is gone — a missing chapter in the story of one’s life.

What sibling grievers wish others knew

There is no hierarchy in grief. While the death of a sibling may be viewed by some as “lesser” than other losses, the pain can be immense. Many adults assume their brothers or sisters will always be there, a steady presence through milestones and change. When that expectation is suddenly broken, the result can be deep sorrow, disorientation, and even guilt for surviving.

Siblings who are grieving often need to self-advocate for their emotional needs. At home, in friendships, and at work, they may find themselves setting boundaries or seeking understanding in environments where their loss is not easily recognized. Taking time for rest, creative expression, or quiet reflection can help create space for healing.

How to support someone grieving a sibling

Support begins with simple acknowledgement. Recognize that the death of a sibling leaves a lifelong impact — it’s not something to “get over” or “move on from.” Grief doesn’t end; it changes shape over time.

Offering empathy rather than advice is one of the most meaningful ways to help. Invite your friend or colleague to talk about their sibling, share stories, or find ways to keep their memory present. Encourage rituals of connection such as lighting a candle, marking birthdays, or finding a special way to honour the bond they shared.

For those who are grieving, learning about grief education and theories can provide helpful context for what they are experiencing. Understanding that healing is about adapting rather than accepting can make space for a gentler and more sustainable journey.

Moving forward

Grief changes us, but it does not have to isolate us. By speaking more openly about sibling loss, we can help people feel seen, validated, and supported.

If you are grieving the death of a sibling, know that your relationship mattered deeply and so does your grief. You are not alone in moving forward to navigate this deep loss.

For local grief support and peer groups, please contact Lucy Fraser, MSW, Director of Programs at Chilliwack Hospice Society at (604) 795-4660 or visit www.chilliwackhospice.org.

Chilliwack Hospice Society extends heartfelt thanks to volunteer and author Earla Legault for contributing her insights and expertise to this article. Earla is the co-author of Living with Sibling Grief: Imagining a Way Forward and has dedicated her work to raising awareness of sibling bereavement through education, writing, and peer support.

Special opportunities for rituals and remembrances included the Mother’s Day Memorial on May 9 and the Father’s Day Memorial on June 13. Both events offered safe spaces for those grieving a parent or parent-figure to share memories and find comfort in community. On August 21, Fedorkew, alongside Jennifer Dacre and Kaylee Lovesy, co-facilitated the Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day Memorial, offering a time of reflection for those grieving the loss of a beloved pet or caring for a dying animal. The day included storytelling, expressive arts, and community support.

“Grief touches each of us in different ways, but it is something no one should have to carry alone,” said Fedorkew. “These programs create spaces where people can honour their stories, find comfort, and remember that community can hold us through the hardest seasons.”

Educational opportunities have included advance care planning workshops on July 15 and 17, and September 5 and 8, covering end-of-life care planning, temporary substitute decision makers, representation agreements, and advance directives. On June 19, Planning with Purpose: A Conversation on Death, Dignity and Diverse Traditions was presented in partnership with Tammy Miller of Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, helping participants explore funeral planning, cultural traditions, and essential considerations before and after a death. In September, Planning Ahead: An Introduction to Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements, presented by Aatif Nanji of Simpson Notaries, provided practical guidance on preparing for the future.

New wellness and connection programs were also introduced. Gentle Mat Yoga, led by Emmy Kerr, was offered once weekly outdoors through August, blending movement and mindfulness as a way to nurture body and spirit in grief. Fedorkew also launched Craft and Chat, held the second Friday of every month, creating a welcoming space for participants to connect and process grief through creativity.

Throughout the year Chilliwack Hospice Society hosts a variety of in-person and virtual educational workshops and presentations for the community. Topics may include advance care planning, financial and legal matters, self-care and wellness. Educational workshops are provided for free thanks to the generosity of individual donors and businesses in our community.

The event brought together 120 golfers and numerous sponsors in honour of the late Russ Walsh. Committee chairpersons Gerry Enns and Kim Percy, both close friends of Walsh, helped guide the tournament alongside event manager Sharilyn Jackson of Chilliwack Hospice Society.

Prospera Credit Union returned as the presenting sponsor, while local business Guerilla Q provided a barbecue lunch for participants. Volunteers from both Meadowlands and Chilliwack Hospice Society played a vital role in ensuring the day ran smoothly.

“We are so grateful to the golfers, sponsors, and volunteers who made this day possible,” said Sue Knott, executive director. “The generosity of our community continues to carry forward Russ’s legacy and support the care we provide.”

The Society extended special thanks to Jo-Ann Thompson of Meadowlands Golf and Country Club for her assistance in hosting the event.

Next year’s tournament is scheduled for September 10, 2026, at Meadowlands.

Themed ‘Vintage Vibes’, the event brought together the best of thrifted fashion and timeless style. Thirty volunteer models walked the runway, each showcasing three carefully curated outfits — complete with accessories and footwear — all sourced from Thrifty Boutique. From modern casual to retro chic, the looks celebrated the creativity and sustainability of second-hand fashion.

“This event is such a beautiful expression of what Chilliwack can do when the community comes together with heart and purpose,” said Executive Director Sue Knott, who emceed the evening. “It’s more than just a fashion show — it’s about compassion, connection, and making a meaningful difference for people facing death, dying, and grief.”

Attendees enjoyed more than just the fashion. The evening also featured a pop-up shop, penny social, silent auction, and mystery treasures — all made possible by generous donors who support Thrifty Boutique throughout the year. Each item was repurposed and reimagined into beautiful gift baskets and one-of-a-kind packages, allowing guests to shop for a cause and take home something special.

“This event is a celebration of sustainability,” said Sandy Parker, Thrifty Boutique store manager. “Everything seen on the runway — every outfit, every accessory — started as a donated item. With creativity and care, second-hand becomes one-of-a-kind. Volunteers truly outdid themselves — not only as models on the runway, but also behind the scenes preparing appetizers, setting up, and making the evening unforgettable.”

A special highlight of the night included a vintage runway presentation from Chilliwack Players Guild, featuring authentic costumes from the 1800s to the 1980s, adding theatrical flair and a touch of history to the show.

The success of the event was made possible by the generosity and dedication of many. Devry Greenhouses provided greenery and floral décor. Scott Hrusik of RE/MAX Nyda Realty donated a cube van to transport supplies, with Joe Palmer, a longtime volunteer, taking the wheel. Vickie Legere provided photography for the evening, and Jolly Miller Pub generously donated the wine.

Discover Thrifty Boutique: Where Style Meets Purpose. Thrifty Boutique offers an upscale thrifting experience while supporting Chilliwack Hospice Society. Shop with purpose and explore a curated collection of quality clothing, accessories, home décor, books, and more. With new items added daily, there’s always something unique to discover. Proceeds from every purchase directly support local programs and services for individuals and families navigating death, dying, grief, and loss.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.

Led by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA), this year’s theme, “Palliative Care is for You,” underscores that palliative care can begin at any stage of a life-limiting illness and be delivered in a wide range of settings — including at home, in hospital, in long-term care, or in the community. It is whole-person care that helps manage symptoms, ease suffering, and provide emotional and spiritual support.

At Chilliwack Hospice Society, palliative patient visitation plays a vital role in delivering this compassionate care. Specially trained volunteers and professional staff provide one-on-one companionship to individuals receiving palliative care — offering a comforting presence at Cascade Hospice Residence, Chilliwack General Hospital, Bradley Centre, in care facilities, at the Hospice Society, and in private homes.

“Palliative care improves the quality of life by addressing the person as a whole — not just the illness,” says Candice Quesnel, Palliative Services Manager at Chilliwack Hospice Society. “We are here to walk alongside people wherever they are in their journey. It’s never too early to consider palliative care. Our team provides comfort, support, and human connection every step of the way.”

Another essential program offered by Chilliwack Hospice Society is the Caregiver Connection Support Circle — a monthly peer support group designed specifically for those caring for a dying loved one. Caregivers are invited to share experiences, explore anticipatory grief, learn from one another, and access resources in a compassionate, understanding space.

“Caregiving can be both beautiful and challenging,” Quesnel notes. “This group provides emotional support and helps caregivers feel less isolated. It’s about creating a community where people feel heard, seen, and supported.”

Chilliwack Hospice Society provides these and many other palliative care support services at no cost and without the need for a referral. The organization is committed to ensuring individuals and families in Chilliwack and surrounding areas receive the care and support they need, when they need it most.

To learn more about palliative care support, visit www.chilliwackhospice.org.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.