2023 Highlights
Fundraising in 2023 resulted in purchasing more equipment for the Hilltop House residents. The Society raised $19,000 from providing advertising space on the bus which allowed us to purchase additional gym equipment, set up a sensory room and contribute to Music Therapy costs. We purchased an OBIE computerized projector and 60 interactive games with grants from 100 Women that Care, the Squamish Hospital Auxiliary and Woodfibre LNG. Whistler/Blackcomb Foundation also provided a grant to purchase a second OBIE.
The Society continued the Friday Night Dinners each week, providing a home-cooked meal for 14 lucky residents. In 2023, we were thankful for bequests from the families of two residents. Each specifically requested the funds be used for the weekly Society dinners. One purchased a new stove, kitchen equipment, crockery and cutlery and the other provided funds which should cover our food costs for the next two years. With the increased cost of groceries, these donations were extremely appreciated.
We now have two staff members available to drive the bus which meant the residents had additional trips this summer. Thanks to the generosity of the Sea to Sky Gondola, there were eight lunch trips up the gondola. There were also monthly visits to Walmart and excursions including the Squamish outdoor market, the Cheekye Ranch and other farms, the Eagle Eye Theatre, the Casino and the Railway Museum. There were also numerous scenic tours and ice-cream stops.
The Squamish Gardening Club helped our gardening group again this year and contributed to a bountiful vegetable garden in addition to working in the courtyard. We also had a booth at the Brackendale Fall Fair and had an open house weekend at Hilltop House. At Christmas, society members were busy decorating Hilltop, bagging gifts, and helping with the annual Christmas party.
2022 Highlights
Although there were a few breaks during the year and some COVID protocols remain in place, activities were up and running at Hilltop House again in 2022. Our regular Friday Night Dinners were held and donations from the Rotary Club and the Sea to Sky Gondola will keep these going into next year. The Gondola also funded trips for the residents on the gondola including lunch at the top, which they really enjoyed. Also, with the assistance of the Squamish Gardening Club, the gardening group achieved quite a few improvements to the the landscaping, especially in the north courtyard.
The patio we installed to 2021 had significant use this year including birthday parties, musical events and a large picnic the Society held in August to celebrate our 30 years of existence. Past and present members were joined by residents and staff for an afternoon of refreshments and entertainment.
The Society purchased tables, umbrellas and a gazebo for the courtyard areas of Hilltop House for these events and for residents, family and friends to visit outside during the warm weather. The Squamish Legion and a number of donors kindly provided funds specifically for this purpose.
We received a grant from the Squamish Arts Council, and the District of Squamish, towards Indigenous Arts projects. With Alice Guss and Art Harry from the Squamish nation, the residents made a drum and created a mural to decorate a wall in the South Activity room. The funds also provided entertainment at the 30 year picnic from the Iswalh Dance Group from Mt. Currie.
The Society received a request to purchase an Active/Passive Trainer for the Hilltop Gym. This trainer was specifically for residents in wheelchairs to help improve their strength and mobility. With the help of grants from Woodfibre LNG, Atlantic Power and other donations, the trainer was purchased and has been beneficial for many of the residents.
Other items provided by the Society included a TV stand and pictures for the gym, music classes and a new laptop for movie afternoons.
2021 Highlights
The year started with another pandemic lock-down at Hilltop House. The first activity we were able to participate in involved our gardening group who went up every week and worked on the landscaping around the building. Once permission to bring construction workers to Hilltop House was given, the Society began plans to remove the lawn area on the north courtyard and replace it with a concrete patio. The majority of residents are in wheelchairs and the existing pathways were narrow. Also, there was no outside space large enough for a large group of residents to attend summer events. Quotes were obtained and All-Terrain Excavating was awarded the contract. Fund-raising began and by the beginning of September, the new patio was in place.
Using the grant received from the United Way in 2020, exercise equipment was purchased for an in-house gym which has become very popular with the residents. The bike machine has been a particular favorite. An IPad and interactive pets were also purchased.
The Society also received a request from the Sea to Sky Hospice Society to join them in sponsored the training of Hilltop House care aides in 'A Palliative Approach to Caring' course. As this would be beneficial for the residents, the funds were approved.
2020 Highlights
2020 was a year unlike any other for Hilltop House and the Support Society. The COVID-19 pandemic ended all the society's activities in the home early in March and never resumed for the remainder of the year. The new bus was delivered and paid for in April although initially the residents were only able to view the bus through the window. By August, the bus was able to take residents out for scenic tours which continued until the end of the year, including evening rides to view the Christmas lights. There are now plaques installed in the lobby and on the bus thanking all the sponsors who helped make the bus become a reality.
Although the Society couldn't hold the usual Christmas Party for the residents, we did our best to help the staff make it a special time providing outside decorations, wrapping gifts and supplying cookies for all the residents and staff. In December, we also assisted staff in obtaining a grant from United Way. In the new year, this will be used to purchase additional equipment for the physiotherapy department as residents have been unable to attend classes in the community as they did prior to the pandemic.
2019 Highlights
The major project for 2019 was raising the funds to purchase a new custom-built bus which would seat six wheelchairs and four walking passengers. This was to replace the 15 year old van that could only transport four residents. Coastal Ford and Dynamic Specialty Vehicles Ltd assisted in determining the specifications and identifying the bus required. With support from the community, $137,000 was raised.
The sponsors for the bus were Squamish Hospital Foundation, Hilltop House Support Society, 100 Women Who Care Squamish, Squamish General Hospital Women’s Auxiliary Society, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, Coastal Ford, LTO Developments Inc., Donald and Connie Carson, Royal Canadian Legion #277 - Squamish, Bruno and Patricia Marini, Atlantic Power Corporation and many others in the community who supported this project.
The first donation for the bus came from Donald Carson, President of Coastal Ford Sales Ltd.
2018 Highlights
Purchases included :
Headsets for the hard-of-hearing residents allowing instructors and staff to use a microphone and be heard by all residents during activities and rehabilitation classes.
A laptop for movies and TV programs to be watched using a projection system.
Additional furniture and replacement window blinds in the South dining room.
2017 Highlights
The main project was the conversion of the gazebo into a work- shop for the residents to utilize for woodwork, crafts and classes. Ruy’s Shed was built with a major donation from Ruy’s family, a donation from the Squamish Legion, and the help of many volunteers. (Ruy was a previous resident of Hilltop House)
In addition, a television, sofa, a Vitamix blender, and Sensory Stimulation items were also purchased for the residents.