AUGUSTA – The fifth annual Celebrate A Life Walk will be held virtually this year. Participants are urged to walk, run, dance, do housework…it all counts as activity and can be converted to miles for this 26.2 mile virtual walk. Unlike a traditional walk/run/bike race, this virtual event uses technology and takes social distancing into account; allowing you to participate on your own, with a friend, work mates or your whole family, showing your support whenever & wherever you are day or night; rain or shine, inside or outside.

 

“We used Racery to host our virtual race“, said Jennifer Smith, Special event manager. Once registered walkers will be able to either manually enter their daily activity or download the Racery app, log their activity and it will automatically sync to the walk dashboard. As a walker logs activity their walk icon moves along the route. So you can see how you are doing and compete with other walkers for weekly prizes…in addition to the overall event prizes.

 

“Well this is officially my first marathon! BUT I’m so excited to be a part of this exciting event to help raise awareness and much needed funds for the Bereavement Center,” said Diana Sebzda, MA, LPC, FT, Director of Bereavement. “COVID-19 can’t keep us down! Our doors never closed and we make sure that no one has to walk alone on this path of anticipatory grief and bereavement. I am so very proud of each and every walker, as they walk for a loved one and with purpose!”

 

The “virtual” walk route starts at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center on 214 Washington Avenue in Hackettstown, meanders past the Karen Ann Quinlan Home from Hospice in Fredon and ends at our Bereavement Center headquarters in Augusta. Remember, this is the “virtual” route, you can walk, run, jog, dance, wherever you want to move your icon along on the walk route. There is a $25 registration fee to join the walk and all funds raised will benefit the programs and services at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center. The walk started as a way to help those dealing with a loss celebrate the life and memory of loved ones who have passed.

The Bereavement Centers offer individual counseling and ongoing support groups for those suffering the loss of a loved one.  Anyone may use the bereavement services; you do not need to be part of our hospice program to participate.

Participants are encouraged to send us a photo of their loved one to place on the memory wall sponsored by Biggs Kids.  A closing celebration with the lighting of a symbolic memorial light, memory wall acknowledgement, virtual vendors and an awards presentation will be held on Saturday, September 26 at 10 a.m. via ZOOM.

Last year Team Dominator led by Dana Noll raised more than $1,500 with a large donation from the BPO Elks #1388. The team walked in memory of Dominick Noll.

Registrants are encouraged to form a team to raise funds. There will be prizes awarded to individuals and teams who raise the most money. All money raised will stay in the community and benefit the Bereavement Center.

Please call 973-383-0115 ext. 145 for more information on how you can get involved. You can download complete instructions on how to join, start a team, ask for donations, and get a pledge sheet online at karenannquinlanhospice.org/Walk.

Newton, NJ – Subaru World of Newton presented a check for $21,461.75  to Marlina Schetting, Chief Operating Officer of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice at the dealership showroom in Newton. Subaru World of Newton has proudly donated more than $100,000 to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice since 2015. Over the last 12 years, through the Share the Love Event, Subaru of America and its participating retailers have donated more than $176 million to charity, with customers choosing between four national and over 1,220 hometown charities.

The donation was the result of the “Subaru Shares the Love” Campaign.  2019 marked the twelfth anniversary of the event. “We believe in being a positive force in the communities where we live and work, not just with donations from initiatives like the Subaru Share the Love^® Event, but with actions that set an example for others to follow,” said Chris Dexter, General Manager at Subaru World in Newton.

The “Subaru Shares the Love” Campaign had a kick-off “Dealer Appreciation Night” in early November 2019, presented by Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and hosted at the dealership located at 84 Hampton House Rd, Newton. The public was invited to stop by for great discounts and incentives during the annual Black Friday Car Sales Event. Subaru World of Newton also held several buyer incentives at the kick-off.

From November 14, 2019 through January 2, 2020, Subaru donated $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at more than 632 participating Subaru retailers nationwide to the customer’s choice of a national charity or a pre-approved hometown charity. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice was selected as the hometown charity to be the recipient of the campaign. This year, Michael Fernandez was recognized as the top salesperson during the Subaru Share the Love Event.

“Subaru World of Newton is a committed partner in the local community. We believe in building lifelong relationships with our customers, earning their trust and exceeding their expectations by providing customer service with integrity and compassion,’ said Dexter. “It’s our aim to spread the Love Promise as far as possible. That’s why we work with an organization like Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice who through the important work they do touch the lives of so many people in the community.”

Subaru of America is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide.

“We are so thankful for the continued support of Subaru of Newton,” said Marlina Schetting. “There are so many families in the communities we serve that will benefit from this generosity.”

The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is a not-for-profit organization which provide a full continuum of high quality medical, emotional and spiritual services to individuals requiring hospice, family members and the community.