Hospice Heart and Home Co-Chairs Honoured

A capacity crowd was on hand in Belleville Tuesday morning for the Breakfast of Champions, supporting Hospice Quinte.

The fundraiser’s spotlight was on Ross McDougall, who was the recipient of the first John Williams Champion of Care Award.

McDougall and Williams were the co-chairs of the Heart and Home Building Campaign, to create a palliative care centre in Hastings County. It is the Stan Klemencic Care Centre in Bayside on Old Highway 2.

Both men donated $100,000 to begin the campaign in the summer of 2019. It cost $9.5 million and supports end of life care for those living in Belleville, Quinte West, Tyendinaga Township, the Town of Deseronto, and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

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Ross McDougall standing with members of the board and staff of Hospice Quinte, dignitaries, and members of the Williams family at the Grand (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)

McDougall says he cannot remember how far back he and John go.

“Very, very close friends and everybody knows John because he was the mayor (Quinte West) and he was a Honorary Colonel at the base (8 Wing CFB Trenton) and he was an astute businessman with his hotel. I don’t think of John that way, John was my friend.”

He says his friend John was a social person first and foremost.

“John really enjoyed people, nothing fake about it. He was just as happy talking to the person waiting on his table, as he was to the person owning the building.”

McDougall Insurance and Financial, the company Ross McDougall owns, along with the McDougall family, have put millions of dollars back into the Quinte community. He says giving back to the community is an obligation.

“We’re lucky that we’re in a position we can do it. We support as much as we can in the community. Obviously the hospice is very important, but there’s many charities and worthwhile causes.”

Williams passed away before the Hospice Quinte project was complete. McDougall says Williams called him and apologized that he could not help get the project across the finish line. John Williams received end of life care in his final days.

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Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison presents greetings and some pickles to Ross McDougall, while Heather Williams celebrates in laughter (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)

Heather Williams is the wife of the late John Williams. She says John and Ross were very passionate about hospice and he knew how important it was. She tells Quinte News the first recipient is a perfect fit.

“They (John Williams and Ross McDougall) respected each other so much. They had just so much passion for this building project and they just knew how much this new hospice centre would mean to the whole community.”

Jennifer May-Anderson is the Hospice Quinte Executive Director. She says their (John’s and Ross’s) leadership spurred others to give.

“It really is many of our dedicated business leaders who support our charities and certainly support Hospice Quinte and that’s what makes our community as wonderful as it is.”

She says Hospice Quinte needs to remain top of mind in the region and she is hopeful this annual award will help with awareness for end of life care.

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(l-r) Hospice Board Member and Event Organizer Tim Weaver, Heather Williams, and Hospice Board Chair Kim Lander (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)

Hospice Quinte Board Member Tim Weaver was the event chair. He says putting a spotlight on both Williams and McDougall is wonderful. He says public awareness and fundraising are critical to supporting end of life care.

“On behalf of the Hospice Board, just really pleased to be a part of this day and raise some funds to go back into the hospice to support people in our community.”

Allyson Williams brought greetings on behalf of MPP Todd Smith and MP Ryan Williams. She is the daughter-in-law of John Williams. She said, “Time is a currency and we all have to think of it as the most important currency. John was a force unlike anyone. I hope my children can aspire to be like Ross McDougall.”

$33,271 was raised at the breakfast.

This week is National Hospice Palliative Care Week.

Ross McDougall speaks at The Grand, with Heather Williams looking on (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)