Thanks to the donation of $80,000 by the Sovereign Order of St. John’s, Okanagan Commandery, Moog and Friends Hospice House will be receiving a new kitchen facility this year.
The new kitchen will feature a secured area for use by staff and a separate area for families and volunteers to prepare food for patients.
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“We wish to extend our sincere thanks to the Order of St. John for their generosity in helping us to update our kitchen facilities at Hospice House,” said hospice society chair Bill Everden. “Without the financial help from organizations and individuals in the community we would not be able to deliver the high many extra comforts that make hospice house a home rather than a medical facility.”
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This year, Moog and Friends Hospice House celebrates its 20th anniversary since it opened its doors officially on May 19, 1998. Since it opened, the facility’s kitchen had not been updated once. They are looking forwards to having a modernized kitchen available to them soon.
The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller is a Christian chivalric, ecumenical and international community order with a 900-year tradition of helping the sick and poor or all nationalities, races and creeds. The modern day order is divided into 27 commanderies with its international headquarters in Vancouver. Established in 2014, the Okanagan commandery raises funds to support local organizations in the Okanagan Valley from Osoyoos to Vernon.
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The two projects being funded by the order this year are the hospice house kitchen and a family room for JoeAnna’s House in cooperation with the Kelowna General Hospital.
“The Order of St. John will match dollar for dollar any organizations and individuals who may wish to make a donation to the Hospice House kitchen project up to a maximum of $40,000,” said Joy Zsombor, commander of the Okanagan order.