Don Ferster, owner of Jim’s Clothes Closet, has been a long-time supporter of the Alberni Valley Hospice Society and is our most treasured fundraiser.

Don is the architect of the hugely successful Black Ty Gala; a fundraising extravaganza that, for the last decade, has become the most popular social event in the Alberni Valley.

Don, together with the support of his colleague Deb Pearson, has organized the Gala since 2009. Since its inception, the Black Ty Gala has raised in excess of $500,000 for the Alberni Hospice Society, operators of Ty Watson House.

This spring, the Black Ty Gala organizing committee was forced to cancel their spectacular annual event due to the social gathering restrictions that were imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this obstacle, Don has remained one of our most faithful supporters and has stepped up to become a Supporting Sponsor of Light Up Hospice and has donated $2,000 towards our inaugural event.

Our new Light Up Hospice event was created to reach out to every member in our community. We are creating a stunning holiday display that will adorn the exterior of the AVHS Community Office.
The building will be officially lit up on December 1 and remain alight for the entire month of December.

We invite all members of our community to visit our website, where you can make an In Memory donation and sponsor a set of lights, a wreath, stars, and other beautiful holiday décor items in memory of a loved one who has passed. 

You’ll be able to drive by our office from 9am – 9 pm for the entire month of December to see your purchases lit up, pay tribute to your loved one, and enjoy the fabulous display that you have helped create to Light Up Hospice!

All funds raised by this event support the end-of-life care we offer at Ty Watson House, and the palliative care, counselling, bereavement, and health planning services that we proudly offer to all members of our community free of charge.

Click here to learn more about our new event and how you can participate in Light Up Hospice

We wish to offer our heartfelt thanks to Don Ferster for his ongoing support of our society. His actions and acts of generosity allow us to continue to provide residents of the Alberni Valley valuable individual and family support during very difficult times in their lives.

The Coulson Group and The San Group present Light Up Hospice