The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board gave Abbotsford Hospice Society an early Christmas present recently The FVREB gifted $20,000 to the AHS's future adult hospice.

The donation will go towards the creation of a water feature in the future garden of Holmberg House, where construction is slated to get underway in January, 2013.

Scott Olson, president of the FVREB, explained that Realtors devote themselves to helping people find the perfect home and that Holmberg House will be exactly that.

"As the final home for so many special people, we wanted to help make it feel as welcoming and comforting as possible," said Olson.

The feature, designed specifically for the grounds of Holmberg House, is a waterfall flowing into a pebble stream surrounded by garden foliage.

The building itself will be the only hospice in Abbotsford to provide holistic care in a non-institutional setting with patient suites large enough to accommodate visiting family and friends.

The 10-bed facility will care for patients as young as 19 facing terminal illness.

AHS requires $12 million for the capital costs and is currently halfway to meeting its goal.

Debbie Lehmann, AHS executive director, said the society is thrilled with the donation and the intent behind it.

"FVREB members put a lot of thought into how to make the donation special for our residents and meaningful for the Realtors of the Fraser Valley who made it possible," Lehmann noted.

"We're sure the water feature will be a favourite place for relaxation and reflection for everyone the hospice serves."

? For more than 25 years, the AHS has helped the terminally ill in the Abbotsford region while also providing bereavement support for families, along with public education, outreach and community referrals. For more information on the AHS visit abbotsfordhospice.org.

The FVREB is an association of 2,855 professionals serving the real estate needs of communities in the Fraser Valley.

For more information, go to www. fvreb.bc.ca.