‘People show up for each other’: Community comes together for Hospice care
There is a sacred stillness in the hours surrounding a person’s death, a time when grief, gratitude, memory and love often sit side by side.
For the Weimer family, one moment at Hospice at Glengarda has stayed with them ever since Garry Weimer’s passing.
About half an hour after his death, red and blue lights suddenly flashed through the window of his room.
“A police car had pulled someone over,” recalled Garry’s son, Colin Weimer. “Given his career, it felt meaningful. We all just looked at each other.”
Garry had spent 35 years serving as a police officer. On the quiet residential street surrounding the Hospice, the unexpected moment felt to the family like a gentle reflection of the life, purpose and service he carried with him until the end.
Meaningful and supportive care
For Colin and his wife Melanie Weimer, their experience at Hospice at Glengarda left a lasting impact, one that would later inspire them to give back in a meaningful way.
“We were fortunate to have the experience of the Hospice at Glengarda,” Colin said. “It was short — just over a week — but very meaningful.”
Before entering hospice, Garry had been living with Colin and Melanie as the family cared for him through the final stages of cancer.
“When he was admitted, it was a huge relief,” Melanie said. “We could shift from being caregivers to just being family, spending time with him.”
The care extended far beyond Garry himself, with staff caring for the family as well.
“We were fortunate to have the experience of the Hospice at Glengarda.”
– Colin Weimer
“There were no strict visiting hours. We could stay overnight,” Melanie said. “There were spaces for kids to take breaks, kitchens for food, and a home-like environment.”
At the time, Garry’s wife was also facing serious health challenges of her own. Melanie said the Hospice team helped coordinate transportation so she could come from the hospital to spend time with him.
The team also helped prepare the family for what was ahead.
“They were very honest and knowledgeable about what to expect,” Colin said. “They helped us understand when time was short so we could bring in family members. That allowed everyone to be there and say goodbye.”
For Colin, the environment itself created a sense of peace.
“It’s designed for both the patient and the family,” he said. “The flexibility, the space, the ability to just be there — it supported each of us individually and as a family.”
Exceeding expectations on Doughnation Day
That experience of compassionate, whole-person care stayed with the family long after Garry’s passing.
“We felt if anyone has to go through something like this, everyone should have the chance to experience that level of care,” Melanie said. “That’s why we support the Hospice.”
Today, Colin and Melanie are co-owners of COBS Bread University Heights, which opened in March 2025.
Melanie said one of the things that drew them to opening a COBS franchise was its strong culture of community giving.
“At the end of each day, all remaining products are donated to charities,” she said. “Everything is baked fresh daily, nothing is kept over. That commitment to giving back was really important to us.”
Each year, COBS locations across Canada participate in Doughnation Day, a national fundraising initiative supporting causes chosen by franchise owners and their communities. Although their bakery had only been open a few weeks during the 2025 campaign, Colin and Melanie already knew where they wanted to direct their support.
“It became something bigger than just a fundraiser.”
– Melanie Weimer
“After an experience like that, you want to say thank you, but words don’t feel like enough,” Melanie said. “This fundraiser gave us a way to express that gratitude.”
The couple shared their family’s story with staff, who embraced the fundraiser wholeheartedly.
“It became meaningful for them too,” Melanie said. “Customers would come in and share their own hospice experiences. It became something bigger than just a fundraiser.”
Their original goal was to raise $1,500. Together with customers and community members, they raised more than $6,000 in support of Hospice at Glengarda, which COBS matched.
“There was a real sense of excitement,” Colin said. “The team exceeded expectations, raising more than three times the original goal.”
For Colin, the response reflected something deeper about the community itself.
“It really reflects the spirit of Saskatoon and Saskatchewan,” he said. “People show up for each other.”
The collective generosity of third party events
St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation is grateful to support community-led fundraising initiatives like Doughnation Day through its Third Party Events program.
The program empowers individuals, businesses, and community groups to support St. Paul’s Hospital and Hospice at Glengarda in ways that are personally meaningful to them. From workplace campaigns and community events to personal celebrations and memorial fundraisers, third-party events help extend compassionate care through the collective generosity of the community.
If you’re interested in hosting your own third-party event, please contact Annual Giving Officer Jesse Greenwood at jesse.greenwood@sphfoundation.org or 306-655-5861.