Chatham, ON; October 29, 2026
A $100,000 gift from Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance has brought the Chatham-Kent Hospice Kitchen Campaign across the finish line. The gift was announced at the 2026 Hospice Benefit Gala on October 23, during a celebration of Hospice’s 10 years of care for local families.
The kitchen is central to daily life at Hospice. Staff and volunteers prepare meals there with care, while families find opportunities to gather, talk and share familiar routines during difficult times. The renovation will build on the role this space already plays, creating an environment that offers even greater comfort and connection for residents and their loved ones.
Kent & Essex Mutual’s gift completes the fundraising campaign and will help make the renovation possible. The updated kitchen will improve accessibility for volunteers and staff, support safer and more efficient meal preparation, and provide a welcoming place for families to spend time together.
“We know how much the little things can matter during difficult times—and at the Chatham-Kent Hospice, that might be a familiar meal or a quiet conversation around the kitchen table,” said Kevin Konecny, President & CEO of Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance. “We’re proud to be part of this caring community and to support the work of the Hospice and the people who make it possible.”
“Kent & Essex Mutual continues to be an extraordinary community partner. Their contribution to the kitchen campaign ensures that an integral piece of the hospice experience will be updated, providing accessibility, comfort, and a sense of home during difficult times for families in Chatham-Kent,” said Brock McGregor, Executive Director of Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.
As Hospice looks ahead to its next decade, the renovated kitchen will help its team and volunteers continue to provide care in a space that feels like home.
To learn more about the project, visit ckhospicekitchen.com.