Butterfly release celebrations held in June

Posted on May 23, 2019May 29, 2019 by Lee Ellison

Attendees can witness the Monarch butterflies awaiting their release at the conclusion of each Butterfly Release Celebration.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will host its 19th annual Butterfly Release Celebration with three events held in Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey and Pike County, Pennsylvania on the weekend of June 8 and 9. “This beautiful event honors the life of family and friends who are still with us and celebrates the memory of those loved ones we have lost,” explained Jennifer Smith, Manager of Special Events for Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Since its inception, Smith-McCracken and Wood Funeral Homes have been central to the success of the event, leading the way as the Event Sponsor. “We are very proud to support hospice and the annual Butterfly Release Celebration. This event and the hospice exemplify the importance of friends and family,” stated Robert McCracken. Joining Smith-McCracken and Wood Funeral Homes event support are Community Sponsors: Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc and Pike County Light and Power Company.

Participation begins with the purchase of a butterfly for $20.00 in the name of a loved one. Included in the purchase is a memorial keepsake which will be sent along with a personalized acknowledgement card to the designated recipient. Monarch Sponsors donating $100.00 receive a stunning butterfly sun catcher. A new design in the series is featured annually offering a thoughtful collection opportunity. Participants are encouraged to visit our website to register and purchase a butterfly in advance at www.karenannquinlanhospice.org/butterfly. Once registered, a memorial keepsake and acknowledgment card will be mailed to designated recipients and the celebrated name will be printed in the event program. Butterfly celebration pins and name recognition can also be purchased the day of the event before the ceremony begins.

Each celebration integrates live music with the reading of each name being celebrated and concludes with the release of dozens of butterflies. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, currently celebrating its 39^th year of providing hospice care to patients and their families, is pleased to welcome the community to the Warren County Butterfly Release Celebration hosted at the Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden on the grounds of Memorial Elementary School in Washington, NJ at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8. Also, hospice supporters and area residents are welcomed to gather at the gazebo in Memorial Park in Milford for the Pike County Butterfly Release Celebration hosted at at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. Sunday’s Butterfly Release Celebration will be hosted at the gazebo on the college green of the Sussex County Community College on Sunday, June 9, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The celebrations are hosted rain or shine; in the event of inclement weather, the butterflies will be released when conditions are suitable. For additional information about the Butterfly Release Celebration or to celebrate the name of a loved one, please visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org/butterfly or call 973-383-0115 or 800-882-1117.

Congratulations Graduates

Posted on May 7, 2019May 7, 2019 by Lee Ellison

Congratulations to our recent Patient Care Hospice Volunteer Graduates! The next training course will be in September at the Bereavement Center in Augusta. Call 973-383-0115 ext. 121 for more details.

Seated from l to r: Nancy Richardson, Barbara Niclaus, Linda Jehl, Ken Roberts, standing – Diane McKenna, Sue Dougherty, volunteer coordinator and Ellie Benz

From l to r: Camelia Agapescu, Andrea McNamara, Melissa Mandas, Diana Sheeran

Students help celebrate National Nurses Week

Posted on May 6, 2019May 6, 2019 by Lee Ellison

Nurses week is celebrated May 6 – 12 nationally. The purpose of this week-long celebration is to raise awareness of the value of nursing and help educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting the healthcare needs of Americans. The week ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.

Students at the Ogdensburg Public School with the help of one of their teachers Lisa Bruning have been working hard to make “thank you” cards for the nurses at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Lisa also enlisted the help of fellow teachers grades K-2 to help make cards as well.

When asked why they chose the local, not-for-profit hospice as recipients of the cards Lisa Bruning said. “I think it is important for the kids to have an understanding of how working together in a small community can be so impactful and Karen Ann Quinlan has been a staple in this community for many years.”

Chelsea Choma, RN, BSN, MSN, CHPN, Clinical Director at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice helped students kick-off the week-long celebration at Ogdensburg school at a special assembly for grades K-2 where she read the book, “Germs Are Not For Sharing,” by Elizabeth Verdick. After the reading, she did an exercise with the children about sneezing and covering their noses to avoid spreading germs. The kids all giggled as Chelsea sprayed them with a water bottle to imitate what it is like to be sneezed on.

“Lisa and I have been friends since the second grade and it was a wonderful experience to blend our two careers together to help spread education to the community. Engaging with all the students and being able to educate them on what a community nurse is and the types of things we do every day was a fulfilling experience.” At the end of the assembly Choma was presented with more than 40 handmade cards to be given to the nurses at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.

“This will be such a personal and touching surprise for all of the nurses to receive these cards. The nurses at Karen Ann Quinlan give so much to their patients and families every day. I am so proud to be able to present them with individual notes thanking them for their hard work”

“Nurses help people when they are sick,” said student Delila Nardini with a smile.

Hospice nurses focus entirely on end-of-life care. A hospice nurse provides hands-on nursing care around the clock in the patient’s home or wherever the patient calls home. Hospice nurses manage pain and other symptoms, provide support to patients and families and assist in the process of death with dignity.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will hold a special breakfast in recognition of the special work that their nurses do. They also encourage everyone in the community to take time out to thank a nurse. “Nurses are at the forefront of improving patient care and transforming healthcare,” said Choma, “It’s nice to have a week to officially recognize all that they do to make our lives better.”

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill and bereavement counseling for those who have lost loved ones. Serving Sussex and Warren Counties NJ and Northeast PA. We are an independently owned hospice and proud to be the preferred hospice provider for Newton Medical Center and area Atlantic Health Care System. For hospice programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.