A local volunteer has been honoured with an important award recognizing her dedication to supporting palliative care in the area. 

Hospice Georgian Triangle volunteer Connie Hayward was given the June Callwood award at this year’s Hospice Palliative Care Ontario conference. Callwood herself was a long-time hospice advocate, community activist, author and Order of Canada recipient. An award in her name was established in 1994 to honour Ontario volunteers supporting palliative care. 

Hayward is a Kitchen Angel at Campbell House, the Collingwood-based 10-bed residential hospice facility operated by Hospice Georgian Triangle. 

As a Kitchen Angel, Hayward spends most mornings preparing and cooking food for the hospice patients and their families. 

“The kitchen is the heart of Campbell House where volunteers are often found comforting people with homecooked meals and baked goods,” states a news release from Hospice Georgian Triangle. 

Hayward said she’s blessed to continue “earning [her] wings as a Kitchen Angel.” 

“Campbell House is a second home to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to volunteer in the kitchen providing comfort, joy, and love through my cooking,” said Hayward in the news release. “It is truly an honour to help patients and their families each and every morning.” 

She said her parents taught her to always treat others how she would like to be treated, and when she accepted her June Callwood award, she felt her parents with her. 

Hospice Georgian Triangle’s executive director Trish Rawn said the organization is lucky to have Hayward and proud of her for being named this year’s June Callwood award winner. 

“Connie’s bubbly personality is a delight in the kitchen. Her positive attitude shines through and is contagious to others,” said Rawn in the news release “She goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone is taken care of with extra care,”

Hospice Georgian Triangle provides compassionate care at Campbell House and in the community for individuals with life-limiting illness and their families in the Town of the Blue Mountains, Collingwood, Clearview Township and Wasaga Beach. Care programs come at no cost and focus on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of the patient, family and caregivers, enhancing quality of life.