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Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will host its 20th annual Butterfly Release Celebration with three virtual events held via ZOOM for Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey and Pike County, Pennsylvania on the weekend of June 13 and 14.
“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. “With all that is going on in the world today, we will pay special emphasis on the celebration of life, recognizing those who are still with us and the heroes among us at this year’s celebration,” said Smith.

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.

In light of current events and the COVID-19 Pandemic Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is keeping safety at the forefront for this year’s release. Three virtual release ceremonies will be hosted on ZOOM for Sussex, Warren and Pike Counties. Viewing times will mirror the same scheduled event times:  Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday, June 14 at 2:00 p.m.  Event participants will be forwarded a password to enter the ceremony and be able to see and hear the reading of names, view the virtual release ceremony, and download the commemorative event program on ZOOM.

For the last two decades, the event has been designed as a celebration of those we love… those who are have passed on, those who are with us and our future. The iconic symbol of the butterfly lends itself to the vision of rebirth, transition, hope and strength; all positive attributes to the loved ones being remembered, honored and celebrated.  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.

This year’s  celebration will integrate 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 40th year of providing hospice care to patients and their families, is pleased to welcome the community to take part in this community outreach.   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.

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; please call 800-882-1117 to reach any of our services at either office; Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA.  Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is an independently owned hospice program and proud to be the preferred hospice provider for Newton Medical Center and area Atlantic Health Care System.  The award-winning Home for Hospice is located in Fredon, NJ. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center is open to hospice families and the community for bereavement support, counseling and educational opportunities; it is located at 5 Plains Rd. in Augusta with satellite offices in Pike and Warren Counties.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is a  Level 5 Partner with We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Level 5 is the highest level WHV partners can attain and includes several new required activities and yearly recertification.

As a partner, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is providing specialized care to Veterans who are facing a life-limiting illness. Aside from existing partner requirements, Level 5 partners place a greater emphasis on staff education and caring for Vietnam-era and combat Veterans. Additionally, Level 5 partners take on the role of regional mentor to other WHV partners working to enhance their programs.

“When we set out to create the Level 5 program we knew that it had to be different to truly showcase the efforts needed to go above and beyond. Not only Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice demonstrated commitment, but your organization has helped shape the program and continue as an example of what all hospice partners should strive to be,” said NHPCO President & CEO Edo Banach.

It is our mission at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice to provide diligent care that displays the gratitude, respect, and honor that everyone deserves at the end-of-life. Being a champion for Veterans means more than just shaking hands and saying “thank you” on Veterans Day. Our efforts relay a message not only to the Veterans under our care but to the family, caregivers, and community that we strive to provide the best to our nation’s heroes.

For more information on how Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice can help your family, or help you care for a Veteran facing a life limiting illness please call us at 973-383-0115 or send us a message by clicking here.

Facing and/or experiencing the death of a loved one can be one of the heaviest weights we bear. The current COVID-19 pandemic may be one creating an even heavier burden as we navigate this unprecedented situation. It is our hope that you find something here which will resonate with you and be helpful as you supportyourself and your loved ones during this difficult time. Please read this in small doses or all at once, as you feel able. This is your time to do what’s best for you. Please know that you don’t have to walk this road alone.

Click here to download the COVID-19 GPS

We would like to thank Sandra Polizzo from FEED THE FLOOR & Patrick Duffy and Claudia Bellino both of SKYVIEW GOLF and BANQUETS for donating 75 meals for our staff at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice and the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center! Thank you it was a perfect way to kick off National Nurses Week! We are very appreciative! #kaqstrong

The ATHLETES and COACHES of the Kittatinny Softball Team look for ways to give back to the community.  Last season, they participated in softball games and/or tournaments that directly benefited Pediatric Cancer.

As a team last season, they were able to get all of the spring teams at Kittatinny to buy into the community imitative and participate in the Lace Up for Pediatric Cancer.  Not only did the Kittatinny Teams participate but their opponents did as well.  For these charity games, each player purchased  a set of GOLD laces and wore the laces in their cleats for their designated game(s).  The proceeds raised from these games went to benefit a local family in NJ.  They also played in a Strike Out Cancer benefit game for St. Judes Pediatric Cancer for our final game of the season.

As they went into the 2020 softball season their team was set to play in more charity games, but COVID threw them a curveball.  With the spring seasons currently on hold, they wanted to find other ways in which they could make a difference.  As a team they created and posted a “Thank You Video To those on the Frontlines,” to let them know that their efforts and passion to help others was truly appreciated This video can be found on Twitter at @HMateSoftball and on Instagram at heather.mate.

Their next team inspired initiative was a “Thinking Of You Box.”  The team expressed that while the current situation has been tough everyone, they knew that it was extremely difficult for others.  They delivered letters and cards from the “Thinking Of You Box,” to the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice with the hopes that their small gesture will bring smiles and let everyone know that even though they can’t be there with us, they are thinking of us everyday.

Kittatinny Softball Team Members include:

Yesterday the entire staff of the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice was provided meals by our friends at Perona Farms.  This is in keeping with the decades long tradition of the Avondoglio family’s deep commitment and support of our community and our nonprofits.   For generations the Avondoglio family has been a standard bearer, setting the bar for local philanthropy.

In a delicious irony the meals will be prepared in the Mark Avondoglio, Janice Stevens, Perona Farms Dietary room at the Home for Hospice.  Mark and Janice generously purchased the naming rights to this important part of the Home in 2019.  Janice is a valuable member of the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice’s Governing Board.

Julia Quinlan
Chief Executive Officer
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice