Helen’s HUGs

A way to remember.
There is no more poignant symbol of hospice-palliative care than the handcrafted HUG’s individually made by Gerald Shearer. Gerald’s wife died on the Palliative Care program before she had a chance to thank the many staff and volunteers who cared for her during her illness. Helen was a natural “hugger” so in her memory Gerald handmade and presented each staff member with Helen’s HUG. Since that time Gerald has crafted and donated thousands of wooden HUGS to the Hospice Society. They are then painted by many individual and group volunteers in the community including the North River Elementary School, the Nova Institution, and many more.

The perfect gift.
Helen’s HUGs have been requested and sent around the world including France, England, Afghanistan, throughout the US, and Canada, raising awareness about the importance of community support and quality of care at end of life. HUGS are available to the community here in Colchester East-Hants during the Valentine’s season through local businesses. A HUG makes the perfect gift for friends, family and loved ones especially as they remember those special individuals in their lives who have died. All donations go towards our Hospice Society programming including Palliative Volunteer Visiting and Grief and Bereavement Support.

Resources

• HUGs will be available year round for a suggested donation of $5 each by contacting us online.