Hosted by Duncan and Lesley Hawthorne

and featuring...

We look forward to a night of camaraderie, laughter, and making a difference at Handbags for Hospice. This extraordinary evening of empowerment and philanthropy is the largest annual FUNdraising event for Huron Shores Hospice. The event will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Kincardine Pavilion.

Our guests can prepare to be captivated by vibrant live and silent auctions, featuring an exquisite collection of over ninety designer handbags, luxurious experiences, captivating getaways, and a coveted wine wall.

This highly anticipated annual fundraiser has become a cherished tradition, uniting our community in celebration of the "Power of the Purse."

We’re looking forward to another fantastic evening of fun and philanthropy!

Event Details

Date: Thursday, September 18th, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Kincardine Pavilion

Tickets go on sale: August 1st @ 7:30 AM
Price: $80

Tables: Seat 8 people

Enter the Wine Wall Contest and Win 2 Tickets to Handbags for Hospice!

Donate a bottle of wine valued at $25 or more between July 1 and July 30 to be entered to win 2 tickets to this year’s gala.

Winner announced July 31

Your donation will help stock the popular Wine Wall — a fun game at the event that raises essential funds for local hospice care.

Drop-off Locations:

Port Elgin: Royal LePage Exchange Realty Co., 680 Goderich St.
Kincardine: Sleepers Bed Gallery, 828 Queen St.
Point Clark: Email will@huronshoreshospice.ca to arrange drop-off

Please include your name, address, and email with your receipt so we can issue a tax receipt and enter you in the draw.

Tickets have sold out!

Join the Waitlist

Partner With Us!

SPONSORSHIP! We invite you to partner with us in creating a world where end-of-life receives the same beauty, care, and respect as the beginning — by making moments matter for the guests and families we serve.

Sponsoring Handbags for Hospice is a meaningful way to show your support for compassionate end-of-life care while elevating your brand with a caring, engaged audience.

Our Corporate and Community Sponsorship Packages offer a variety of ways to get involved and make a lasting impact. Each level includes recognition opportunities designed to highlight your commitment to this essential service in our community.

To learn more, please review the sponsorship packages below:

Document

Corporate Sponsorship Package (downloadable)

Document

Community Sponsorship Package (downloadable)

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Host Sponsor

Duncan & Lesley Hawthorne

VIP Auction Sponsor

Mike and Carol Rencheck

Gold Sponsor

Bruce Power

Silver Sponsors

EPCOR
Germania Mutual Insurance
GreenShield

Community Advocates

Carpenters Regional Council
CUSW
EnergySolutions Canada
LiUNA
ShawFlex
Siemens Energy

Bronze Sponsors

Karen and Mark Smith

Community Supporters

Amidyne
ATS
Bird Construction Industrial Services Ltd.
Cameco Corporation
Curtiss-Wright, Nuclear Division
Flynn Group of Companies
GE Steam Power Canada Inc.
Greenfield Global Inc.
Ideal Supply
Lakeside Process Controls
Levitt-Safety
Liburdi
Rankin Construction
Senior Flexonics
Stantec
Strategic Way
Tetra Tech

Premium Sponsors

MacKenzie & McCreath Funeral Homes
Michelle Wright, Broker, Royal LePage Exchange, Kincardine
OG7GES

Community Contributor

Acuren Group Inc.
Alithya
BC Instruments
Calian
Compucom
Concert Infrastructure
Crane Supply
Fermi Solutions
Gutor Electronic LLC
Johnson Controls Canada
Marmon Industrical Energy & Infrastructure Group
Mirion Technologies (Canberra CA) Ltd.
Morson Talent
Niagara Fastners
Northern Transformer Corporation
NTT Data
Nucleom
Promation
Promotional Source
REEL COH Inc
Sartrex Power Control Systems Inc.
Stevcon Packaging
Thornburn Flex Inc.
Velan Inc.
Wajax Limited

Clutch Sponsor

Kincardine Chiropractic & Wellness Centre
Ashley and David Hoogenboom, Tim Hortons Kincardine and Walkerton

Wristlet Sponsor

Becker Shoes
Claudia Derksen, REALTOR, Royal LePage Exchange Realty
HuronTel
Instyle Hair Studio
Joint Physiotherapy
Judith Denault - Family Mediation
Kincardine Ladies Slow Pitch League
Lakeview Dental Services
Laura Haight
Lisa Vandenberg - Century 21 In-Studio Realty Inc., Brokerage
Port Elgin Orthodontics
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 340 - Port Elgin
Shewfelt Financial
Superheat
Word Squirrel Books

In Kind Donations

GINGERICH Group Inc.
Cheryl and Joe Cottrill
Margo Delany
Lesley Hawthorne
Paul Holmes
Stuckless Healing Co.
RE/MAX Kincardine
West Coast Catering
Adam Kahgee
Sugar Shack Tattoo
McDougall Energy
Tanya Leppington
Down Home
Sarah Pelton
Lac Boutique
KittyR Designs
Ristorante Rosina
Elk & Finch
Stratford Festival
Lake Huron Home
Thede Acres Alpacas
Inn at The Harbour
Linda & Keith Battler
Benjamin Prinsen
Bruce Steakhouse
Carole Lee Foster
Marlene Morrow
Littles by the Lake
First Impression Salon and Spa
The Berkshire
Room 797
Paisley Common
Studio 6 Boutique
Meagan Fair
West Shore Clothing
Anne Halbert
Meagan Fair
Jordan Jarvis
King's Pearl
Walker House
Alexanne Pizycki
Anne Halbert
Judy Azzopardi
Judy Turner & Bill Feeney
Will Legrand
Stephanie Battler
Jane Calcutt
Word Squirrel Books
Tracy Primeau
Carol Rencheck
Cathy Alcombrack
Bar Down
Denise Tighe
JoAnne Ballantyne
Babette Lachance
MacKenzie & McCreath
Linda Bowers
Michelle Kay-Scott
Kayla Scott
Heather Shewfelt
Claudia Dickson

PAST EVENTS

Handbags for Hospice

The 8th Annual Handbags for Hospice was another unforgettable evening, raising over $170,000 in support of Huron Shores Hospice. We’re filled with gratitude for the incredible community spirit and generosity that made this milestone possible.

Held at the Kincardine Pavilion, the sold-out gala welcomed 168 guests for a stylish and heartfelt celebration. Attendees enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres and a chance to bid on more than 100 designer handbags, luxury items, getaways, and experiences in the live and silent auctions.

Returning as Master of Ceremonies, Phillip Craig set a warm and lively tone for the evening. Cathy Herbert, Executive Director of Huron Shores Hospice, opened the program with heartfelt remarks, thanking guests for their continued support and recognizing the volunteers and sponsors who make the work of the hospice possible.

Karen Smith, Vice-President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Bruce Power, highlighted the importance of accessible end-of-life care and the difference it makes in strengthening communities.

The evening’s most moving moment came from guest speaker Lynda Janzen of Kincardine, who shared her family’s experience when her mother-in-law, Hilda, received care at the hospice in December 2022. Lynda spoke with honesty and grace about the compassion, dignity, and support they experienced during such a tender time.

With a buzzing wine wall, beautifully curated auctions, and a room full of purpose-driven guests, the evening was both elegant and deeply meaningful.

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and each guest who helped make this year’s event such a success. Your support helps ensure that compassionate, dignified end-of-life care continues to be available for families in our community — when it matters most.