Valentine’s fundraiser ‘Sweethearts for Hospice’ returns to support local hospice
Posted Jan 25, 2026 06:15:00 AM.
Last Updated Jan 25, 2026 10:11:17 AM.
Sending love to those in need, an annual campaign has launched to help raise funds for Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice, the region’s first and largest just before Valentine’s Day.
The community is invited to purchase a box of goodies or two, filled with treats from local businesses for just $25 with all proceeds going to support programs run by the hospice such as Art from the Heart and Bereavement programs. For the past three years they’ve been able to sell out of the boxes so they plan to create even more this year.
The fund development coordinator for Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice, Sarah Ainsworth, wanted to get the community more involved. This year students from local high schools will be able to get volunteer hours by helping assemble the Sweethearts for Hospice goodie boxes.
“I’m constantly blown away by the support of our community, it’s so heartwarming to work for a place that is doing so much good for people in our community,” Ainsworth said.
Sweethearts for Hospice started during the pandemic as a way to help raise funds when they were seeing donations decline. Over the years, it has raised over $15,000 for the hospice’s programs. Most of those programs are free for residents.
“The funds help support the Art from the Heart legacy projects and our bereavement programs because we don’t receive government funding for them so they are supported through fundraising dollars otherwise we wouldn’t be able to provide those additional services,” Ainsworth said.
Those programs support families who are experiencing grief from losing a loved one as well.
“It’s really just about being there for one another, supporting one another and our community continues to show us that year after year in helping with the Sweetheart boxes and in so many other ways that allow us to continue the support work we do,” she added.
Pickup for the goodie boxes is Feb. 10 at the hospice’s locations in Kitchener or Cambridge.
To purchase a Sweethearts for Hospice goodies box go to their website.
