Sandy Gombik, centre is joined by her daughters Brittany Defalco and Stephanie Kauffeldt.
She has a long history of community support and even in her most challenging times, Sandy Gombik is thinking of others.
Gombik is now staying at Hospice Renfrew, having been recently diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, from which she will not recover.
Gombik owns On the Clothesline Thrift Store in Renfrew, which has made donations to more than 50 charities, including Hospice Renfrew, since it first opened its doors more than six years ago.
Before now, she hadn’t been inside the facility. Now, she wants everyone to know what a true gem Hospice Renfrew is.
From her room she looks through the large picture window at the lawn and feeder where the animal lover has spotted squirrels, chipmunks and deer, and tells myFM that she wants people to know she is comfortable and well-cared for at Hospice Renfrew.
“It’s one of those things that, unless you’re actually involved in some way, shape or form, you don’t really know what it’s all about. It’s like – wow!” said Gombik. “There are so many caring people here helping out.”
It’s shocking that Hospice Renfrew has a lack of full funding, she said, urging the community to keep up the strong support for the facility, which she described as more of a home than a health care setting.
In fact, Gombik said before operating the thrift store, she wasn’t aware of just how many great organizations and volunteers are out there doing their utmost to help others.
On the Clothesline is a unique enterprise run by Gombik and a group of dedicated volunteers. A large percentage of profits was donated to a local non-profit organization each month. Online auctions that began during the pandemic grew in popularity and became a much-anticipated fundraiser for the downtown store.
She credits her team for their ongoing hard work.
“I’m very fortunate to have some amazing volunteers that were just giving their hours,” she said.
The future of the store is uncertain but for now the volunteers are keeping things going and a number of options are being explored.
Where does her desire to help others come from?
“It’s part of my family nature,” she said. “We just grew up like that, helping others.
Originally from Toronto, Gombik moved to the area with her former husband. She once owned a local dog kennel and later a pet grooming business and says she’s grown to love the Ottawa Valley and the country lifestyle.
She said she is incredibly grateful to her family, including her two daughters and their families, as well as her friends and the community, for their unwavering support.
She asks that people not feel sorry for her.
“I’m one of the lucky ones, At least I’m able to know where I stand right now, where my future is and I’m able to plan for what’s going to happen. A lot of people don’t get that privilege, they’re just gone in a flash,” she said.
For more information on Hospice Renfrew, visit the website.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)