Growing Compassion: How Gardens Became a Community Celebration

Huron Shores Hospice is thrilled to announce a generous $5,000 donation from the Southport Horticultural Society. The funds were raised through admission proceeds from the highly successful Saugeen Shores Tour of Gardens, held on July 12, 2025.

This marked the Society’s first-ever community fundraiser, and it blossomed beyond expectations. The Tour invited visitors to explore a curated collection of urban and rural gardens, each uniquely designed to inspire, educate, and celebrate the beauty of local horticulture.

On Wednesday morning October 15^th members from Huron Shores Hospice Board of Directors, Claudia Dixon, and Tanya Leppington along with Community Engagement Coordinator Jessica Daneluk were present with many members of the Southport Horticultural Society at Garden Gate Farmstead, located at 319 Carlisle Street, Southampton — a favourite stop that showcased the creativity, care, and heart that define our local gardening community. The society was incredibly warm and welcoming our board into their space and were wonderfully hospitable.

The success of this inaugural Tour of Gardens not only raised vital funds for hospice care but also sowed the seeds for an inspiring new community tradition.

QUOTE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATHY HERBERT

“On behalf of our entire team at Huron Shores Hospice, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the Southport Horticultural Society and their incredible organizers for hosting such a beautiful and successful Garden Tour this July. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended and supported this wonderful community event. The funds raised will have a lasting impact, helping us provide compassionate end-of-life care at our hospice residence in Tiverton and through our community programs serving Saugeen Shores, Kincardine, and Huron-Kinloss. Your generosity ensures that individuals and families in our community receive comfort, dignity, and support when it matters most. Thank you for planting seeds of kindness that will continue to grow in the hearts of those we serve.”