Hogs honour volunteers, reveal $1 million-plus funds raised

The annual banquet honouring Hogs for Hospice volunteers took place at the Roma Club on Tuesday, October 24 as the organization thanked the 500 volunteers who make the event run smoothly — and then revealed the 2023 total funds raised.

After a great sit-down meal, the speeches began and Hogs spokesperson Joe Oswald took his post at the microphone to speak to all of the volunteers in attendance.

“We have 500 volunteers from all walks of life,” he said. “We couldn’t do this without you.”

Oswald said that although a lot of attention is given to the seven members of the board of directors, the volunteers and their dedication are vital to the event.

“It’s not our event, it’s your event,” he said. “It’s our privilege to be the board of directors as you guys steer this ship.”

Oswald said the event is driven 100 per cent by volunteers — something that they are very proud of.

“Not one person is on the payroll for Hogs for Hospice,” he said.

He publicly thanked their partners and then called one of the volunteers forward to thank her for her dedication.

Volunteer Margaret Wiebe was working the Hogs for Hospice as a volunteer on the Saturday of the event when she rolled her ankle.

“Even though she insisted she was fine, we got the EMS there who confirmed she’d fractured it,” said Oswald. “She didn’t want to go to the hospital because she had another shift later that day.”

He said when he arrived Sunday morning at the park, he noticed someone in a wheelchair crossing the street.

“It was Margaret showing up for her Sunday morning shift,” he said. “That’s dedication.”

Margaret said it wasn’t that big of a deal. “It was more fun than staying home,” she said.

Fellow director Donny Pacheco then took over the microphone and brought up the Bad Examples Riders Club, who presented him with a cheque.

Harry Garbarino of the Leamington Kinsmen Club then approached the podium with another $55,000 to add to the coffers.

“This community really pulls it together,” said Pacheco.

Six of the seven directors then took the stage to unroll the banner, revealing the 2023 amount to be $1,017,400, much to the happiness of the 500 in attendance.