Ribbon Cutting for the Booth Family Atrium at VON Sakura House

Monday, 30 November 2020 at 12:41

VON Sakura House had a special outdoor ceremony last week to unveil the brand new Booth Family Atrium.

WOODSTOCk - VON Sakura House had a special outdoor ceremony last week to unveil the brand new Booth Family Atrium.

Catherine Booth and Michael Kirk and Kevin and Rhona Booth, along with their two children Chelsea and Brittany were on hand for the ceremony. The family donated the generous gift in honour of their late parents, Walter and Marilyn Booth. Hanging within the glass atrium there is a beautiful stained glass work of art dedicating the space to Marilyn Booth.

The gift from the Booth family allowed Sakura House to complete a couple of important projects. They were able to build a new glass enclosure at the front entrance and waterproof the basement walls.

Catherine Booth explains why the family wanted to give back to Sakura House.

"This gift and this project is very important to us, as it was made in memory of our parents, Marilyn and Walter. Our mother, Marilyn, was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, and passed away within six months of her diagnosis. Unfortunately, there were no conversations with her about palliative care options. When we saw what Sakura House offers, we so wished that Marilyn could have spent her final days in its kind of environment - comfortable, caring, respectful, and peaceful. As we stand here today in front of this new front
entrance, we feel a great sense of comfort that patients and family members will benefit from this project for many years to come. The warm and welcoming space created on the outside of this house now represents the warm and welcoming care that happens on the inside. Thank you for inviting our family here today to safely celebrate this special gift and this beautiful new entrance.”

Manager of VON Sakura House Janine Jackson says this project is really a dream come true.

“This project is really a dream come true and we couldn’t be more thankful. Arriving at Sakura House on a beautiful day, can feel daunting to any patient and their family, but add in a downpour or a winter snowstorm, and it can feel even that much tougher. This new entrance will allow us to give our patients and families the shelter and comfort they need. Thank you for making these difficult times easier for our families."

The glass atrium allows patients to be transferred safely to the house, protect them from the elements and will create a more positive and welcoming experience for families and patients when they first arrive at the house.