Giving Big To Hunterdon Hospice
Published March 21, 2008
The Lady Vikes of Voorhees High School and six area grade school teams, which include Califon, Clinton Public, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township and Tewksbury presented Hunterdon Hospice staff with a check for $8,500.00 on Feb.25th and an additional $1,500.00 followed after the check presentation to total a $10,000 donation.
The media has been all a buzz around Oprah Winfrey's new television series The Big Give that has been inspiring people all around the country to give back and lend a hand to someone in need. Right here in Hunterdon County, the spirit of giving is nothing new for many residents in our community. Hunterdon Hospice has benefited from many of these acts of kindness over the years.
Four years ago the Voorhees High School Lady Vikes Basketball teams had an idea to create a program to raise funds for Hunterdon Hospice called "Hoops for Hospice." Over the years the program has grown to include six area grade school teams, which include Califon, Clinton Public, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township and Tewksbury. The Lady Vikes also organized many special events such as hot fudge brownie day, faculty games, church fund raisers, donation collections at games and individual sponsors to reach their fundraising goal. This year the girls donated $10,000 to Hunterdon Hospice and in the past four years have raised over $28,000 for the organization. "This donation is so special because it comes from young students who are helping to make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families. They have also helped to build awareness of Hospice services within their schools and the community at large," stated Anne Boyle, Director of Hunterdon Hospice.
Many other organizations have contributed their time and financial support over the past year. Employees of sanofi-aventis have been generous with their time and resources. This year alone they redecorated the inpatient Hospice suite at the Hunterdon Care Center, created a bereavement garden, decorated the conference room at the Hospice office in Flemington, made 100 gift bags for patients and families and collated the volunteer hospice training manuals given to new volunteers.
Merck donated $4500 to the youth art bereavement program this year. The Hospice Youth Art Bereavement Program is sensitive to the differences of a child's response to death and loss. "The creative arts therapy model focuses on teaching children healthy coping skills and how to deal with their grief. Since art therapy does not necessarily rely on verbal communication, a child who is shy or not able to articulate their feelings can work through their grief by using art," stated Patricia Watts-Scheffel, LCSW, Facilitator of the Hospice Youth Art Bereavement Program. This program is free to the community because of individual donations and corporate support.
For the past eight years, The Sergeantsville Inn hosted the Hunterdon Hospice benefit dinner in memory of James and Marie Clyde. Executive Chef and owner, Joe Clyde provides an annual wine tasting dinner to directly benefit Hunterdon Hospice. In 2007, the event raised nearly $5,400 for Hunterdon Hospice. Mr. Clyde explained, "Life is not about taking, but giving back to the community."
For the past 11th years, music teachers Arlene Strube, Barbara Reitz, Patricia Roth and Irene Gerhartz organized a choir concert at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Clinton Township called the "Concert for Caring". Arline began this tradition after her husband passed away and used Hunterdon Hospice services. This year, Arline reached out again to Hunterdon Hospice, but this time it was for herself. Even though she was ill, she continued to organize and plan this annual concert in support of Hospice, but unfortunately passed away before the performance was held. The concert went on in her memory and raised nearly $2,000 for the organization.
Many other supporters include the Flemington Women's Club, The Hunterdon County Quilting Guild, local Girl Scouts, The Lyons Club and many other individuals who give of their time and financial support to help Hunterdon Hospice fulfill its mission. For more information on how you can help call Hunterdon Hospice at 908-788-6600.