“We can’t believe he would be in kindergarten this year”, says Kate Hammond, mother of Miles Hammond (in photo), a one-year-old boy who lost his life to cancer in February of 2021. “We’re about to mark four years since losing him, but February is made much easier with the focus of the fundraiser,” she remarks.
Kate and her husband Kent started a fundraiser event in 2022, one year after losing Miles. They hosted a small first event in Bracebridge with friends and family, supporting the neonatal and pediatric units at the Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital, where Miles received a great deal of his care. “What I think many people don’t realize is that Orillia has the closest pediatric department to Muskoka, so if a local baby or child needs more care, they’ll likely go through Orillia”, says Kent, Miles’ father,, emphasizing why they feel that supporting OSMH is important. Kate and Kent have been blown away by the level of community support for their event, which has raised over $75,000 for the hospital to date. Last year, proceeds went towards the purchase of two new hospital-grade bassinets for the region’s tiniest “soldiers”.
This year, the Hammonds are hosting the event on February 22nd at Canvas Brewing Co. in Huntsville. The event promises to be another success with delicious food, live entertainment from a Toronto-based piano cover artist, and a silent auction featuring items from a wide variety of local businesses.
This year, many local businesses have stepped up as sponsors of various aspects of the event, including covering the venue rental and catering costs. “We continue to be deeply grateful for our community’s support,” says Kate. “It’s really special to be able to remember and honour his life through this event each year.”
To purchase tickets or donate to this year’s event, visit https://trellis.org/4th-annual-miles-p-hammond-memorial-fundraiser .
For information on business sponsorship opportunities or to make a silent auction donation, please email memorialformiles@gmail.com .