Hospice heroes were found everywhere in a storm that surpassed worst expectations

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: November 19, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Hospice heroes were found everywhere in a storm that surpassed worst expectations
PHOTO: Hospice Heroes

Hospice heroes were found everywhere in a storm that surpassed worst expectations

Newton, NJ – November 19, 2012 – Those who work for hospice live everyday with the mantra that every moment of life is precious, but as Hurricane Sandy roared through our area, it brought all of us a little closer to that experience. We all felt a bit more fragile during such a storm, but imagine if you can, sitting bedside with a loved one who is dying. That by itself is sad and frightening without having to face the urgency of basic survival of keeping warm and staying out of harm’s way. There were patients who were on oxygen or were in need of medication; those families needed the support and guidance from their hospice team.

At the very worst of the storm, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and its nursing staff needed to get to those patients and their families, but with fallen trees and wires down, it was treacherous and risky. The Sussex County Sheriff’s department immediately stepped up and escorted any hospice nurse who needed to get to a patient’s home, and held that offer open. Patients, nurses, and families thanked them for making sure they received the care they needed.

“The nurses worked tirelessly putting their own safety at risk as well as their needs to make sure we did the right thing by our patients; insuring their patients had enough oxygen, meds, and warmth.” Beth Sylvester, Karen Ann Quinlan Nursing Supervisor. With the gas shortages and lines, the office staff remained on stand-by to use their own vehicle if necessary to escort a nurse to a patient’s home. Executive Director Cecelia Clayton was among those who manned the office the day after the storm, assuring patients and families we would “weather this” with them and they were not alone.

Our local medical facilities, Newton Medical Center and St Luke’s in Warren County, along with medical supplier AtHome Medical also deserve accolades for all their backing during this time.

In Pike County, PA, the local heroes of hospice were the Milford Fire Department. One of the hospice social workers at the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Milford office contacted them in need of generators, and they delivered them the very day after the storm.

Realizing the devastation in New Jersey, aid came from all over the country; Calvert Hospice, located in Prince Frederick, Maryland wanted to help so they decided to “adopt” a New Jersey Hospice and send up needed supplies. They chose Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice as they thought much of the help was being focused on Southern Jersey, and wanted to reach out where there was less attention being asserted. “When their Director of Development, Linda Gottfried contacted me and explained their mission, it was truly heartwarming”.- Roxanne Seigel, Director of Marketing and Advancement, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Seigel continued “I immediately went to our department heads to find out what was needed to bring comfort to our patients and their families”.

The Calvert Hospice arranged to have delivered blankets, gas and kerosene cans, batteries, flashlights, gloves, hand warmers, and small toiletries, all donated by their staff with a message; “Dear Sister Hospice, you are in our thoughts and prayers”.

For most of us life is returning to normal, but there is still the devastation around us and on the news; infrastructures destroyed, debris piles that were once homes, and just the loss of security, the thoughts of what if that tree had fallen and can it or will it happen again? What will I do differently to prepare is top of the mind for many.

For those who are grieving the loss of a spouse or loved one, it may be more complicated, for it is the first time dealing with a crisis without their loved one. This also brings to the surface feelings of being alone and isolation. For others, they feel that they have had to “put their grief away” in order to cope with their immediate needs (water, heat, food). At the Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement center, their Monday night support group had a record number of people in attendance with many of new faces. “The hurricane was a big topic at the beginning of the meeting.” Diana Sebzda, Director of Bereavement pointed out. If you would like to join one of the support groups, visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org and click onto bereavement for the days and times of support groups closest to you. The bereavement center offers group counseling in Sussex and Warren Counties, NJ and in Pike County, PA.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving Northwest NJ and Northeast PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Centers, 61 Spring St., Newton NJ and 214 Washington St., Hackettstown, NJ. For programs, events, support groups and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

###

Orange Butterfly

Somers Dream Orchestra Presents: The Big Band Holiday Concert — The Tradition Continues

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: November 19, 2012
CONTACT: Jennifer Smith, Special Events Manager
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: jsmith@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Holiday Concert
PHOTO: Holiday Concert

Somers Dream Orchestra Presents: The Big Band Holiday Concert – The Tradition Continues

Newton, NJ – November 19, 2012 – The Performing Arts Center at Sussex County Community College (SCCC) will be the venue for the Somers Dream Orchestra’s The Big Band Holiday – The Tradition Continues on Saturday, December 8th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 9th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the SCCC Box Office at 973-300-3171 or www.sussex.edu. Proceeds from this concert will benefit Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and the SCCC Foundation.

Guests attending The Big Band Holiday Concert will be swept away on a holiday musical tour featuring The Somers Dream Orchestra led by John Somers, and highlighted by vocal sensation, Keaton Douglas. Somers Dream Orchestra, is a high-energy 18-piece Big Band from New Jersey, and blends the talents of their professional musicians with those of local student choral groups. Featured at this year’s performances will be choirs from Wallkill Valley Regional High School, Saturday at the 2p.m. show; Newton High School, at the 7p.m. show and the Halsted Middle School on Sunday at the 3p.m. show….plus other holiday surprises.

Entertaining and having FUN with music is the message the Somers Dream Orchestra proudly delivers at every performance! The orchestra was “born” in 1995; the dream of its leader, trumpeter, and founder, John M. Somers of Matawan, NJ. John handpicked all the musicians based on three criteria: personality, musicianship and their love for music! The musicians were then asked to purchase their respective seats from the Parent Corporation, T.G. Entertainment, Ltd. making this orchestra possibly the only corporately owned Big Band in the nation! Somers Dream Orchestra was catapulted to national prominence by their critically acclaimed CD, “A Mid-Somers Night Dream,” where the orchestra performs the best of classic and contemporary swing in their own inimitable fresh and exciting style!

“This year’s Big Band Holiday Concert represents the 21st annual Holiday Traditions event in this area and our partnership with Sussex County Community College is a perfect way to bring the community together in celebration with festive music and to kick-off the joyful season,” stated Dr. Roxanne Debski-Seigel, Director of Marketing and Advancement for Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation. For the fifth year The New Jersey Herald is at the helm as the major event sponsor, additional sponsorship support provided by Lakeland Bank.

The proceeds from this annual event are divided equally between Hospice and the SCCC Foundation. The SCCC Foundation proceeds support student scholarships. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will utilize event proceeds to support the future of hospice and be used to help build the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice – the next project to assist hospice families and their loved ones. The home is to be built on 9+ acres in Fredon that displays magnificent views and will provide a complete continuum of hospice care in a serene pastoral surrounding with a homelike atmosphere.

Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill and Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA. The locations are Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Avenue, Suite 2A-2, Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org. To reach the Sussex County Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center located at 61 Spring St, Newton, NJ you may call directly at 973-940-0413. The center is open to anyone who is suffering a loss from the death of a loved one. To reach any of our services, call 800-882-1117.

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at SCCC opened in 2008 and has become the flagship theater in Northwest New Jersey presenting a diverse showcase of dance, comedy, opera, contemporary and classical music, international and supernatural shows and inspired student performances. Please check their website www.sussex.edu for a complete list of performances or call the SCCC Office of the Foundation at 973-300-2121 and ask to have a season brochure sent to you.

###

Orange Butterfly

National Children’s Grief Awareness day is Thursday, November 15th

h1>Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: November 7, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Children sharing their stories with a counselor from the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center
PHOTO: Children sharing their stories with a counselor from the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center.

National Children’s Grief Awareness day is Thursday, November 15th.

Newton, NJ – November 7, 2012 – The Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement Center in Newton will hold an open house from 9 to 3 p.m. for community and professionals to come visit the center, meet the counselors, and receive some information on how to best support grieving children. Children are often the forgotten mourners when in actuality they need to be heard and supported.

Supporting “Children’s Grief Awareness Day” is a way to bring grieving children who have had a loved one die out of the shadows and feel less isolated. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center will unite with organizations across the nation and along with thousands of adults and children in wearing blue to commemorate the day and call attention to the issue.

The Children’s Grief Awareness Day originated in 2007 in Pennsylvania by the Highmark Caring Place, a Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families and is observed every year on the third Thursday of November. This time of year is a particularly appropriate time as the holiday season is especially difficult after a death. Children’s Grief Awareness Day seeks to bring attention to the fact that support can make all the difference in the life of a grieving child.

This day provides an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a child and an opportunity for all of us to recognize and support the millions of grieving children across the nation, the thousands of grieving children right in our own communities, and the grieving children we know and see in our daily lives. Help us make sure that these children receive the support they need.

The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center at 61 Spring St. Newton plans to pass out blue lollipops to children and adults on this day and will display blue colored balloons outside the center to draw attention and visitors. Prepared “packets” of information for adults on how to support a grieving child will be handed out as well as children’s materials such as coloring books and short story books on the topic. A Children’s Grief Awareness Day Toolkit containing ideas for a range of activities is available free of charge at their webpage: www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org.
Or To Learn More about Children’s Grief Awareness Day:
Visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChildrensGriefAwarenessDay

Diana Sebzda, MA, LPC, CT, Director of Bereavement, Lorri Opitz, MA, CT, Grief Counselor and Jennifer Smetana, MSW, LSW, Grief Counselor provide emotional support and education about the grief process to adults and children, not only through the hospice programs of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, but to the community as well. One of the center’s hallmark programs is the Children’s Art Bereavement Program which is offered three times a year. The counselors also offer Healing in the Classroom Workshops to school systems throughout the tri-state area which focus on educating school professionals in recognizing grief responses in their students and how best to support these children. The center has a lending library that is also available to the public and professionals in the area with literature on the topic of explaining death and dying to young people.

The Sussex County location of the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center is located at 61 Spring Street, Suite 100 Newton and is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. For more information about our services, please call 973-940-0413 or visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

###

Orange Butterfly