Annual ‘Friends of Chatham’ gathering set to strengthen bonds and support hospice

A trio of friends celebrate life, friendship and raise money for hospice. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has details.

The annual Friends of Chatham gathering is making its return for the sixth year, bringing together old friends and new for a day of camaraderie, music, and community spirit.

According to organizers, the highly anticipated event will take place on March 8 at the KBD Club on Byng Avenue in Chatham, running from noon until late in the evening.

The gathering, originally founded by long-time friends Mike Dorner, Howie Morton, and Ray O’Phee, was born out of a desire to reconnect with friends and loved ones outside of funerals and celebrations of life. Over the years, it has become a cherished tradition that strengthens friendships while giving back to a meaningful cause.

“We said, ‘This is ridiculous,’” Dorner explained. “The only time we get together is when somebody dies.”

“We said, ‘We [have to] stop this,’” O’Phee continued. “We said, ‘Let’s stop doing this. This is crazy. Why don’t we meet annually,’ you know, similarly [to] the way Port Dover started. You know, guys got together, and it evolved from there.”

As in previous years, the event will also serve as a fundraiser for the Chatham-Kent Hospice. Instead of a cover charge, attendees are encouraged to make donations, with all proceeds supporting hospice care. Since its inception, the friendship gathering has raised roughly $50,000 for the hospice, helping to provide compassionate end-of-life care to local residents and their families.

“Hospice is an unfortunate thing,” O’Phee stated. “But it is fortunate that we have hospice and everybody you know has had somebody or knew somebody who has been involved with hospice.”

He noted, “We have lost so far this year up to six people already. Good friends. And there’s more. But, I mean, we’ve lost already too many. So, you know, it’s, we’re doing a good thing.”

Guests can look forward to an afternoon and evening filled with live entertainment, a cash bar, food available from the KBD kitchen, and a variety of raffle prizes. A special moment of silence will be observed at 4 p.m. to honour friends and loved ones who are no longer here.

The group told CTV News that the Friends of Chatham event continues to grow each year, reinforcing the power of community and the importance of maintaining strong connections. They said they hope to see both familiar faces and newcomers join the celebration.

Morton said, “You see friends that you haven’t seen in 40 years, and we’ve got people that come from far and wide. Next week there will be people asking us when’s the next one? We always do it when we move the clocks.”

Dorner added, “It’s incredible how you see people you haven’t seen for 30, 40 years. It’s unbelievable.”

For more information on the event or how to contribute to the Chatham-Kent Hospice, visit their website.