When Jon Adams became his company’s charity liaison with Crossroads Hospice more than a decade ago, he had no idea it would lead to a cherished relationship with the Tri-City organization.
Now, as he prepares to lace up for the 16th annual Crossroads Hospice Society Hike for Hospice May 6, the Port Coquitlam dad reflects on the motivation for his longstanding commitment.
Perhaps, it’s the symbol of the dragonfly, an aquatic creature that becomes airborne through metamorphosis, that keeps Adams transitioning through his volunteer posts for the organization. It could also be the great support his dad, Tom, received at the Crossroads Inlet Centre Hospice when he passed in 2014.
But for what ever reason, the Royal Bank of Canada business consultant has stayed constant with his support since he was assigned to be the company’s first liaison when RBC chose Crossroads to be its signature charity in 2004/’05.
“In getting involved in some of the volunteer activities and doing a tour and seeing how amazing the facility is, and also the volunteers and understanding the importance and the cause, I just had to get involved more,” said Adams.
Crossroads Hospice Society is well-known in the Tri-Cities for providing compassionate end-of-life care. Through its hospice in Port Moody and grief and bereavement support, it assists local families.
Adams got to see the support first-hand four years ago when his dad, who had battled cancer for 15 years, spent six days at the Port Moody hospice.
Tom Adams had an “odd” sense of humour and would joke about his son “holding a place for him” at the hospice while he was a volunteer, first as a liaison and later as a society board member, where he served two terms.
“It’s a different perspective when you used the services to see your loved one in the final days, and have that lifelong loyalty to Crossroads,” Adams, said, recalling how his father was surrounded by his family, and even the grandchildren sat on the bed with their grandpa.
The irony was that Tom Adams spent his final days in the room RBC sponsored when Inlet Centre was being developed.
Later, though, it was Crossroads’ dragonfly symbol that caught Adam’s attention and has consoled him in the intervening years.
“It became a very important symbol for our family,” Adams, “There was a constant dragonfly presence,” he recalls.
And when more than a dozen members of the Adams family turn out for the Hike for Hospice, they’ll be walking the 5-km route as Tom’s Dragonflies alongside a company-supported group called Team RBC.
And maybe, through their participation, they'll provide the inspiration for the next generation of Crossroads Hospice volunteers.Hikers, ramblers and wanderers are all welcome to join the Crossroads Hospice Society for the 16th annual Hike for Hospice Sunday, May 6.
This national pledge-based family event raises funds to support people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones.
Starting at Port Moody city hall (100 Newport Dr.), the event runs from 9 a.m. to noon and will feature a family- and pet-friendly 5-km walk. For more information and to register, visit crossroadshospicesociety.com
