Hospice Foundation thanks community for helping out
Hospice Foundation thanks community for helping out
The Hospice Foundation, which provides grants to agencies in San Benito and Monterey counties, honored the behind-the-scenes volunteers who help in fundraising efforts throughout the year and in promoting the nonprofit. They recognized volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week, April 15-21.
“We basically just want to say thank you to the San Benito County community for being so supportive to our mission and we will continue to be there funding hospice services because of that support,” said Jennifer Pettley, the director of communications for Hospice Foundation.
The foundation has been supporting palliative care services at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital since 2003. This year the hospital received $53,450 for ongoing support of the program. The palliative care program focuses on making patients comfortable after they are diagnosed with a terminal or chronic illness, by helping with pain management or other quality of life factors. Unlike hospice, those on palliative care can continue to undergo treatment.
The Hospice Foundation also supports nonprofits that provide hospice services in San Benito County, such as the Central Coast Visiting Nurses Association.
Steve Merrell, a San Benito County resident, said he got involved with Hospice Foundation when he was approached by the CEO Alice Kinsler, whom he met at a Rotary Club meeting.
“She asked if I would be interested in participating,” Merrell said. “It was near and dear to me with family situations, and near and dear at my church, for some people at the final time of life.”
Merrell is on the board of directors for the Hospice Foundation and most recently has been serving as treasurer. He’s been involved with the nonprofit for four years and is the chair of the investment advisory committee.
“I work with a team of volunteers to make sure the money is invested properly and being looked after in a manner that will further the Hospice Foundation’s mission,” he said.
Merrell said the most exciting work he has done with the foundation has been with the grants committee, where he and other members of the committee reviewed applications from the agencies, including Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.
Pettley said that one of the most important volunteer jobs available with the Hospice Foundation for San Benito residents is being an ambassador for the nonprofit. Part of that group helps to plan the Tree of Life lighting ceremony, a fundraising event that also highlights the work that the nonprofit does. Each year, residents in the communities served by Hospice Foundation can purchase a light on the tree in memory of a loved one.
The Tree of Life tree lighting ceremony was held in December in San Benito County last year. Committee member Amy Oelrich helped coordinate the tree lighting ceremony with a Christmas concert following at San Benito High School.
“A great group of those folks put on a nice lighting ceremony,” Pettley said.
But work can be done throughout the year to promote the nonprofit.
“We are always in need of ambassadors to help us get the word out,” Pettley said. “There is also office work, but that would be in Monterey since we don’t have a satellite office in San Benito County…We have pretty much something for everyone who is interested in getting involved.”
She said those who want to volunteer from home may be able to do some work via email.
Merrell said he serves as an informal ambassador.
“I talk about Hospice Foundation quite a bit with the people I come in contact with,” he said. “With people, friends, associates and neighbors, I try to talk about opportunities to be involved. It’s an important part of building community and making it stronger.”
Merrell has also been involved in Community Foundation for San Benito County, the Monterey Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts and the Santa Clara Council of Boy Scouts. But he said the Hospice Foundation is especially close to him.
“What really attracted me is helping people live their lives out in dignity,” he said. “It really resonates with me.”
More information
To volunteer, donate or learn more about the Hospice Foundation, call 333-9023 or visit www.hospicegiving.org.
