Spring 2026 CARE Bulletin Photo Gallery
Development
Client Story – The Lau Family
We recently heard from the Lau family about their experience at our home, and we want to share our sincere appreciation for the role our team played in making their time with us so meaningful.
When the Lau’s came to our hospice, their focus was clear — to spend time together. Through the compassionate support of our staff, they were able to make the most of their time with the people they love. Your care helped create the space for comfort, reflection, and connection during an important chapter in their lives.
Dr. George Lau was widely respected for his decades of service as a pediatric surgeon, and to his family, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. During their stay, the family embraced the supportive programs available, including music therapy and legacy projects. One particularly meaningful project was hand photography, capturing the hands of husband and wife, and parents and children together — a lasting reflection of nearly five decades of marriage and a lifetime of shared commitment.
The family’s gratitude and continued support of Carpenter Hospice are a testament to the impact our team’s care has had. Their story is a reminder that hospice care is about dignity, comfort, and helping families focus on what matters most. Thank you to everyone whose compassion and dedication made their experience so special.
Why We Give – Angelo and Darlene Paletta
A seasoned entrepreneur and business owner, Angelo Paletta is recognized as one of Carpenter Hospice’s most dedicated advocates. Beyond his exceptional generosity as a donor, he stands out as an active and influential Board Member, Chair, Past Board Chair, and three-time Gala Chair (2016, 2017 & 2025), always pursuing ways to strengthen and advance the organization.
In 2007, Angelo was invited to join the Carpenter Hospice board. Despite having no prior connection to hospice care, his curiosity and desire to make a difference inspired him to accept. As he learned about the Hospice’s impact, Angelo recognized its vital role and committed himself to its success.
“I just think Burlington needs this place,” Angelo says. “Once you get involved with the Hospice, you never really leave-it keeps drawing you back in.”
From the start, Angelo held a clear philosophy: his involvement must be meaningful. “Carpenter Hospice is a non-profit, but it also has to be not-for-loss,” he says.
This approach guided Angelo’s ongoing work with Carpenter Hospice. He applied his expertise to launch and grow the Hospice’s Reserve Fund and Capital Reserve Fund, bolstering financial stability and sustainability.
After stepping down from day-to-day board activities, Angelo and his wife, Darlene, donated $750,000 to support Carpenter Hospice’s capital campaign to expand services, which launched several years after he first joined the board in 2007.
Their contribution enabled the creation of the Angelo and Darlene Paletta Care Wing, elevating patient care, transforming operations, and expanding the Hospice’s reach to individuals and families across the region.
Following his service as Board Chair and involvement in major campaigns, Angelo introduced the Past Chair’s Committee (PAC). He now chairs the PAC, keeping all past chairs connected to Carpenter Hospice, supporting fundraising, recommending new board members, and serving as a resource.
Through his company, TNG Exotics and Limited Edition (The Next Generation), he is widely recognized for his automotive passion. The company has assembled approximately 40 vehicles. Angelo often describes himself as “multi-car-tural and motor-vated,” a phrase capturing his diverse business experience and dedication to cars. Over the years, he has engaged in numerous local and international ventures, including motorsports, film, and sports franchises. Angelo has also directed this enthusiasm toward giving back, organizing multiple car events.
He even trademarked the phrases “Horsepower 4 Hospice,” “Horsepower 4 Hospital,” and “Horsepower 4 Health,” leveraging his automotive enthusiasm to generate funds and awareness for charitable efforts.
At the core lies a simple motivation. “I want to see things get built and grow,” he attests.
That vision, paired with a deep commitment to the community he calls home, has made Angelo an exceptional partner to Carpenter Hospice. His story is a powerful reminder that philanthropy is about more than giving; it’s about engagement, passion, and the drive to create something lasting for the community.
A Story of Compassionate Care: The Lau Family’s Time With Us
Dr. George Lau was widely respected for his decades of service as a pediatric surgeon and for the humility and integrity that defined his career. To his wife of 49 years, Philoria, and to their son and daughter, Jonathan and Michelle, he was first and foremost a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose life was grounded in family, faith, and service to others.
When the Lau family came to our hospice, they brought with them a remarkable sense of closeness and connection. Their time with us reflected what hospice care is intended to provide: space to focus on time together.
Throughout their stay, the family actively participated in supportive programs designed to enhance connection and meaning. Music therapy became an important part of their experience. Classical music, long appreciated by George, created moments of comfort and reflection. They also embraced legacy projects to preserve tangible memories for the future.
One particularly meaningful project was hand photography. The images captured the family’s hands together – husband and wife, parents and children. For the Lau family, this project was not simply a keepsake; it was a reflection of nearly five decades of marriage and a lifetime of shared commitment.
What left a lasting impression on our staff and volunteers was the family’s consistent warmth and appreciation. They embraced our team and expressed sincere gratitude for even the smallest acts of support. By consistently showing kindness and respect, they left a profound mark on all who cared for them.
Following George’s passing in April 2025, his family has continued to honour both his legacy and the care he received. They have remained generous supporters of Carpenter Hospice, ensuring that other families have access to the same compassionate support they experienced.
The Lau family’s story is a powerful reminder that hospice is not solely about end-of-life care. It is about dignity, comfort, and finding meaning in every moment.
Meet Brenda, a dedicated donor to the Hospice through her efforts in the Teddy Bear Program.
After losing both of her parents, first her mother in 2008, then her father in 2014, Brenda found herself not only navigating grief, but also the disorienting aftermath of life as a caregiver. It was during this difficult chapter that she connected with Carpenter Hospice’s free community counselling services, a turning point in her grief journey, and the beginning of something unexpected.
“I heard about The Teddy Bear Program during my sessions,” she recalls. “And as someone who’s always collected stuffed animals, I just thought, this is something I can do.” That simple idea turned into a heartfelt mission.
The Teddy Bear Program, used across many institutions, provides bears to residents and families facing end-of-life journeys, offering emotional support. And later, something to be passed along to loved ones.
Brenda began collecting teddy bears from businesses after holidays like Valentine’s Day and Christmas, and removing hats or tags where needed. She sewed up small tears, removed accessories when needed, and made each bear ready to bring comfort.
Over the years, her role quietly grew.
“I never kept count,” she says, “but the need seemed to grow. I became the sole provider of teddy bears for the Hospice.” Even when the cost became a bit much, Brenda rallied friends and community members to help donate.
What started as a few donations of teddy bears quickly grew into a long-standing commitment. Brenda now lovingly sources, repairs, and donates hundreds of teddy bears each year, soft, huggable companions that bring comfort to hospice residents and, eventually, their grieving families.
Brenda’s official title may not be on paper, but many people at the Hospice know her as “The Teddy Bear Lady”, a name she now proudly signs in her emails. “People have their degrees after their name, I have ‘TBL,’” she laughs.
Want to Help?
Brenda is currently looking for more teddy bears and support from local businesses. If you’d like to donate or get involved, contact Jacklyn Pearce, Director, Community Impact and Engagement at .