MILFORD — Proposals for making the Greater Pike area an even better place to live abounded in July as the Greater Pike Community Foundation’s Grants Committee reviewed and awarded grants to 27 local non-profit organizations for this year’s Richard L. Snyder Fund grant cycle.
There is a funding increase of nearly 70 percent over last year’s total of $52,000. The foundation will award $87,500 to 27 local non-profits from the Snyder Fund this year.
A reception for the recipients will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Hotel Fauchère, Milford.
“To my knowledge, Greater Pike’s Snyder Fund granted the largest amount of money from a local funding source so far this year,” said Maryanne Monte, Greater Pike Board member and Chair of the Grants Committee. “It was heartening to learn about how so many community organizations are working to enhance the quality of life in the Greater Pike area.”
Dick Snyder, a local businessman and philanthropist who died in 2014, was one of the strongest supporters of non-profit organizations in Pike County. The donor designated fund was created at the Greater Pike Community Foundation by a distribution from a charitable trust created during Dick’s lifetime and distributed following his death to support the causes and charities he cared about most. Greater Pike received a record number of applications for Richard L. Snyder Fund grants this year.
After a thorough review process by the Foundation’s grants committee, and approval by the Foundation’s board, the following grants were awarded:
BeautificationHistoric Preservation Trust of Pike County
Milford Enhancement Committee
Milford Garden Club
Milford Shade Tree Commission
Pike County Historical Society
Greene-Dreher Historical Society
Festival/ArtsAmerican Readers Theatre
Barryville Area Arts Association
Black Bear Film Festival
Kindred Spirits
Milford Presents
Milford Music Festival
Milford Readers & Writers Festival
Tri-State Chorale
Delaware Highlands Conservancy
Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC)
Peters Valley School of Craft
Health/DiversityDelaware Valley School District
Pike County Alliance for Prevention Programs
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice
Safe Haven of Pike County; Pocono Fox Trot
Genuine Alternatives in Therapy (Gait)
Fractured Atlas
Green Trees Early Learning Center
Pike County Public Library.
The lasting power of Snyder’s thoughtful planning is evident in the work this funding, which is awarded annually, will make possible.
The Greater Pike Community Foundation (GPCF) was created to enable generous individuals, families and local businesses to maximize their charitable support through organized, targeted, long-term community philanthropy. The Foundation provides a permanent and personal way to give back to the region we love and have worked so hard to nurture and maintain.
Those interested in learning more about how to establish a fund at Greater Pike are encouraged to get in touch with any Greater Pike board member or contact Jim Pedranti, board chair, at info@greaterpike.org, 570-296-6959 or visitgreaterpike.org and Facebook.com/GreaterPike.
Author Archive: Lee Ellison
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice invites community to join Book Club
Join our Book Club!
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in association with Black Dog Books of Newton, NJ is excited to announce the third book selection in our book club, “Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved.” We will meet at Black Dog Books on Sunday, August 12, from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Kate Bowler is a professor at Duke Divinity School with a modest Christian upbringing, but she specializes in the study of the prosperity gospel, a creed that see fortune as a blessing from god and misfortune as a mark of God’s disapproval. At thirty-five, everything in her life seems to point toward “blessing.” She is thriving in her job, married to her high school sweetheart, and loves life with her newborn son.
Then she is diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer.
New York Times Bestseller – “A meditation on sense-making when there’s no sense to be made, on letting go when we can’t hold on, and on being unafraid even when we’re terrified.” -Lucy Kalanithi.
Click here to watch a short video from the author of the book Kate Bowler.
The book club is open to anyone in the community. Registration is required as space is limited and can be done online at: KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org/BookClub or by calling 973-383-0115 ext. 145. The book can be purchased at Black Dog Books. Please call them at 201-230-3900, to secure your copy. There is no cost to join the club. Once registered you will be emailed or mailed additional information about the club.
Black Dog Books is located on 188 Spring Street in Newton. Light refreshments will be available for purchase from Between the Bread, located next door.
Click here to join the book club!
Sparta Kiwanis Helps Fund Quinlan’s Hero Club Endowment for Child Grief Counseling
By JENNIFER DERICKS
Publisher,TAPinto.net
SPARTA, NJ — The Hero Club at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center is one step closer to reality having received a donation from the Sparta Kiwanis. John Quinlan, Director of the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice foundation, presented the program to the club at their meeting at Homers restaurant.
Kiwanis member Frank Cannistra introduced Quinlan and Diane Sebzda, Director of Bereavement, explaining the concept. The $3000 check from the Sparta Kiwanis was the fourth donation of a possible 12 slots to create an endowment to fund scholarships for children in need.
“A one time donation will help a child forever,” Quinlan said. According to Quinlan, the endowment would be conservatively managed, with five percent or $1500 used annually to provide scholarships.
“This past spring of the 12 children enrolled in the program, eight were scholarship,” Sebzda said. The cost for a child to attend the four week art and play based program is $150. They currently run two sessions but hope to add a third during the summer according to Sebzda.
The program is open to any child from any place, whether or not their loved one was in the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Quinlan said. They have treated children from Sussex, Morris, Warren and Pike counties and other areas including from as far away as Manhattan he said.
Sebzda and Quinlan the Children’s Art Bereavement Program not only helps the child but the parents as well.
“While the children are being taken care of the parents are in another room learning how to take care of the children,” Quinlan said.
The children are given craft or projects to work on while they talk and the modules change, “so they don’t even realize they are being helped,” Sebzda said. She showed a couple of examples of the projects the children have created and shared the stories of the children who created them.
A framed photo of a balloon that had been decorated with a black marker had the words, “I feel beaten up by grief” printed at the bottom. The face created on the balloon had marks and bandages depicting a face that was beaten up.
Sebzda show a second photo with a number of “emotion masks.” The children are given “white masks to decorate with how they felt when they found out about the loss and then a second one with how they look in class.”
Pointing out a mask completely decorated with a mane of red feathers, Sebzda said it had been created by a nine year old who cared for his grandma by getting her milk and cookies every day after school. The grandmother was dying and in her last hours the boy was sent in the middle of the night to a friend’s house by parents looking to do the best they could for the boy.
The boy felt he should have been there when she needed him the most. The red feathers depicted the anger he felt.
The advice given to the parents touches on many topics such as whether or not to bring a child to a viewing according to Sebzda. The youngest child she has treated was one.
“There is a saying, if you’re old enough to love you’re old enough to grieve,” Quinlan said. “Unresolved grief can be damaging to children.”
In the bereavement program they seek to give children an outlet to express feelings and thoughts “they don’t even have words for.”
Sebzda said they are told they can do “anything that doesn’t hurt themselves or others,” including crying or running, jumping and even playing music.
While the Hero Club is looking for $3000 donations, other individual donations are welcome, Quinlan said. “They can restrict the donation to ensure it goes to a specific program such as the Children’s Art Bereavement Program.”
They would also accept donations of art supplies to supplement the program, Sebzda said.
The Children’s Art Bereavement Program runs two hours, once a week for four weeks.
“It will help them deal with future losses as well,” Quinlan said. “Each $3000 donation will help one child a year forever.”
Quinlan said they are seeking individuals or organizations who support children to fund the endowment. He would like to have the endowment fully funded by the end of this year.
“Children are an innocent population who shouldn’t have to experience grief,” Quinlan said.
Quinlan said they are seeking individuals or organizations who support children to fund the endowment. He would like to have the endowment fully funded by the end of this year.
“Children are an innocent population who shouldn’t have to experience grief,” Quinlan said.
Sparta Kiwanis President Ben Caruso said the endowment donation is in keeping with the Kiwanis mission of “serve the children of the world.”
Home for Hospice receives medical cart in memory of Woop
Pictured from left to right: Elizabeth (Beth) Woop, wife; Beth Sylvester; Pat McCann; Michele Leinaweaver; Darlene Milkowski and Amy Snouffer (sister-in-law)
Christopher R. Woop of Oak Ridge, NJ, passed away almost a year ago on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice in Fredon, NJ. Wanting to find some way to give back to the organization who helped Chris find comfort in his final days his wife, Elizabeth (Beth) Woop asked home administrator, Beth Sylvester what was needed at the home.
A new State law requires that all patient records be kept in a fireproof file cabinet that can be quickly relocated and accessible in case of an emergency. As this was a new regulation the organization had not yet purchased the item. Beth generously agreed to purchase the file cabinet which cost $1,000.
Recently, Beth and her sister Amy Snouffer of Sparta visited the Home for Hospice to see the cart and the special plaque that will be installed on it as a memorial in Chris’s name.
“I felt that I needed to do something to give back in some way for all that we received,” said Woop. “They were so good to us here.”
The Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice is the only freestanding in-patient hospice provider in the area. The home offers 10 private rooms overlooking the stunning vistas of the Waterwheel Farm.
“We are so grateful to Beth and her family for their help in purchasing this needed piece of equipment,” said Sylvester, home administrator. “When we use it, we will remember Chris and his family.”
The Home for Hospice is designed to ensure that individuals receive excellent care amid a home-like setting while family members and friends may visit anytime to be with a loved one during their final days.
“At the Home for Hospice the atmosphere was so peaceful. As soon as Chris was admitted the nurses knew exactly what to do to make him comfortable. He was admitted directly from a hospital, and the five days that he was in the hospital were some of hardest to endure,” said Woop.
“I researched the home for hospice online and watched the video tour. I knew this was the place for Chris. When I found out there was a room available we moved Chris here immediately. The nurses understood what we were going through. They not only cared for Chris, but for the entire family.”
Chris was born on May 1, 1969 in the Bronx, NY to Judith (nee O’Rourke) and the late Robert Woop. He was raised in Butler, NJ and graduated from Butler High School in 1987. For the last 30-years he was the owner of Woop Brothers landscaping.
Comedy Night Brings Laughter to Pike County to Benefit Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice
MATAMORAS, PA: We’ve all heard the adage “Laughter is the Best Medicine” and professionals at the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice agree. The hospice joins with event sponsors Pike County Light & Power and Davis R. Chant Realtors to welcome the tri-state community to its premier Comedy Night on Saturday, July 14 at the Best Western Inn at Hunts Landing on 120 6thStreet in Matamoras, PA. The event will feature the talent and comedy of Christopher Roach, Peter Sasso and Missy Allan. Proceeds from the evening will support the programs and services of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.
Guests may choose to register for the pre-show buffet dinner presented from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Best Western Inn at Hunts Landing’s Edgewater Restaurant and Lounge for $50.00 per person; or to attend the Comedy Night only at 8:00 p.m. for $35.00 each ($40.00 at the door.) Throughout the evening a cash bar and concession will be available and guests are welcome to place their winning bid at the event’s Silent Auction. An additional event feature beginning at 6:00 p.m. and open free-of-charge to the community, is an impressive vendor presentation in the venue’s vestibule featuring the wares of area crafters, entrepreneurs and businesses. Comedy Night Tickets are available at www.karenannquinlanhospice.org/comedyor by calling 973-383-0115.
The Comedy Night’s featured entertainers include Sparta resident Missy Allan who likes to make people laugh and unlike others she happens to make a living at it as a professional comedienne. More recently she has parlayed her comedic talents into fundraising. Allan had first-hand experience of the care provided by Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and visited the organization with a need to give back. She presented her impressive comedic resume and knowledge in show production as a starting point to this first Comedy Night – Laughter is the Best Medicine fundraising event. Missy Allan performs all over the country doing shows at venues such as Catch A Rising Star and The Stress Factory, but considers Sparta, NJ home.
Headlining the event is Christopher Roach. Roach is a comedian and actor born and raised in New York. Roach has brought his unique and self-deprecating sense of humor to some of the biggest and best-known stages such as The Borgata in Atlantic City. Roach is a regular on the Kevin James show, a comedy series for CBS. “Kevin Can Wait.” The show centers on newly retired police officer Kevin, played by James, who discovers he faces much tougher challenges at home than he ever did on the streets. Roach plays Mott, one of James’ friends. Roach also wrapped CBS’ “Limitless” as Maurice, opposite actress Jennifer Carpenter and actor Jake McDorman.
Headlining the event is Christopher Roach. Roach is a comedian and actor born and raised in New York. Roach has brought his unique and self-deprecating sense of humor to some of the biggest and best-known stages such as The Borgata in Atlantic City. Roach is a regular on the Kevin James show, a comedy series for CBS. “Kevin Can Wait.” The show centers on newly retired police officer Kevin, played by James, who discovers he faces much tougher challenges at home than he ever did on the streets. Roach plays Mott, one of James’ friends. Roach also wrapped CBS’ “Limitless” as Maurice, opposite actress Jennifer Carpenter and actor Jake McDorman.
The evening will also feature Peter Sasso, undeniably one of the industry’s most versatile entertainers. His rapid-fire stand-up is met with non-stop, raucous laughter and hysteria by audiences of all ages. As a Comedy Juggler, Peter Sasso entertains audiences with his quick wit and diverse juggling skills. Audiences are mesmerized as they laugh along to his side-splitting “Gravity Defying Comedy.”
“The level of comedy that Chris and Peter bring to this event ensures a fun night,” stated comic Missy Allan. “In addition to the passion for the work they do, a true sincerity and community spirit shines through from both Peter and Chris as they signed on to support Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.”
“The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice professional team has embraced patients and family members throughout Pike County, PA for decades with hospice care and bereavement counseling. This community has championed our mission as a leading care-provider in the area and we are pleased to present “A Night of Comedy” to area residents,” said Cecelia T. Clayton, MPH, Executive Director of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.
Join the fun and get your Comedy Night tickets at www.karenannquinlanhospice.org/comedy or by calling 973-383-0115.
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. For hospice programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org or Facebook.com/KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org.
Children & Grief
Children and adolescents face losses every day, and they do grieve these losses. Of course, loved ones die—grandparents, parents, siblings, friends; so do beloved pets, often a child’s first experience with death. Other losses do not involve death but can generate grief, such as experiencing divorce or going to a new school. And as children move into adolescence there are more subtle but important losses—loss of identity, loss of roles, loss of self-esteem. Every child, just as every adult, will grieve in his or her own way. Children respond to grief as adults do—physically, emotionally, behaviorally, even spiritually. It may seem daunting to have to explain death to a child, especially when there are no simple answers. The following guidelines may make this process easier.
What should I say?
Consider a child’s age and ability to understand complex ideas. Many experts believe children do not have a mature understanding of death until about age 8 or 9. Younger children may think that being dead is temporary and that the dead person will return in the future.
It is okay to say you don’t know the answer to a child’s question. You can even say, “No one knows for sure, but this is what I think.” If the child asks whether you will die, respond that everybody dies someday, but that you hope to live to do things with the family for a long time.
Use precise terms when talking about death. People typically refer to “losing” a loved one. Children may interpret this literally and assume that the person can be found. You should also explain that being dead means that the body has stopped working and that it cannot be fixed. It no longer feels cold or gets hungry, and it does not feel any more hurt or pain.
Giving children information and choices when facing death and grief can be very helpful. Preparing children ahead of time for what they might encounter at the hospital or during the funeral can be very important. Once they have that information, let them make a choice. Perhaps they would like to go to the funeral, but would choose not to attend the service at the cemetery.
Remember that children cannot tolerate long periods of sadness; they may want to play and participate in their usual activities. This does not mean that they didn’t love the person who died, nor does it mean that they are being disrespectful. It is okay to permit or encourage children to have fun like they did before the death. Changes in the child’s behavior or patterns might be signs that the child is experiencing problems associated with the death. In these instances, it’s appropriate to obtain advice from a specialist in child bereavement counseling.
Ways to help grieving children
Many school-age children benefit by participating in bereavement groups with other children who have suffered losses. Children hate to be different from their peers; in a group, they discover they are not alone.
Art and other expressive approaches can be great ways to help children identify their feelings of grief. Activities might include painting a picture of the feeling; writing and drawing in a journal; reading books or watching movies that open up discussions of death and loss; making a list of what makes you angry, sad, afraid, frustrated, etc.
Children’s grief groups and camps
The Children’s Art Bereavement Program will be held on Thursday afternoons in July starting on July 12 – August 2, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Bereavement Center located on 5 Plains Road in Augusta. The theme of the summer program is “The Sea Shore,” and it is designed for children (age 6-12) who have experienced the loss of a loved one through death. This program will focus on meeting the individual needs of grieving children through art and play. The cost of the program is $100 and scholarships are available
Article Courtesy of the Hospice Foundation of America.
Offering Spiritual Support for Family or Friends
People who are very ill often ask spiritual questions, in seeking comfort, meaning and hope. While clergy, chaplains and other spiritual leaders may play an important role in spiritual care, family and friends can offer important spiritual support too.
If you have the opportunity to provide spiritual support for someone living with an illness, here are some suggestions:
Explore your own beliefs and values before you talk to others.
To support others spiritually, it’s important to understand your own spiritual beliefs about illness. Think of a time when you faced a major life transition, change or loss.
- How did it affect you spiritually?
- How did your spirituality affect the experience?
- Did you discover spiritual strength during that time?
- Did you ever question your faith?
- How did you want to be supported spiritually?
If you have not been diagnosed with a serious illness yourself, exploring these questions will help you understand your spirituality when facing life-changing situations.
Even within families, among friends and in faith communities, people’s spiritual beliefs and experiences may be very different. Be clear that your beliefs and values reflect your own beliefs and yours alone. Just as you would want another person to listen to you with respect and understanding, your family member or friend wants you to listen to them with respect and understanding as well.
It is common for people living with serious illness to ask themselves questions. As a “spiritual companion,” you can best support others by helping them explore these questions rather than providing the answers.
Be aware of spiritual pain and suffering.
Spiritual pain and suffering is as real and powerful as physical or emotional pain. There are many spiritual and religious issues people who have a serious illness may face and struggle with including the following:
- Meaning and Purpose:Many people who are very ill question what their life means. They may wonder if they have done anything positive or lasting with their life. Some people ask “Why me?” or “Why now?” or “Why this illness?” The search for meaning and purpose may bring up a wide range of emotions, from anger and loss to relief and peace. Struggling with these questions can be a normal part of dealing with illness.
- Guilt and forgiveness:As people face illness, they may reflect on difficult situations and experiences in the past. They may feel guilty about or blame others for things that have happened.
- Loss of faith:Living with a serious illness can cause people to question their spiritual beliefs or faith. They may explore thoughts and feelings that differ from long-held beliefs. They may become angry with God, their religion, themselves, or with others who think they should believe a certain way.
- Issues with faith tradition or faith community:Faith communities may be able to provide support from clergy or members by offering prayer, visits, sacraments or rituals. While some people find these to be very helpful when they are very ill, others may feel their traditions or community do not provide them with the support they need.
Remember that you are not in this alone. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice offers a full continuum of high quality medical, emotional and spiritual services to hospice patients, their family members and the community. If you need help offering spiritual support to a friend or loved one consider talking to one of our chaplains who have expertise in spiritual care. They can give you guidance on offering support and understanding for someone who is very ill.
100th Year Birthday Celebration!
Elsa G. Gorordo
NEWTON – Elsa G. Gorordo, of Newton celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. She was surrounded by family, loved ones, friends and caregivers from Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice at Ave Care in Newton to celebrate the occasion. Gorordo, is wife of the late Luis Gorordo and mother to Elsa Schock of Sparta. Gorordo came to live in America in the early 60s from Cuba during the reign of Fidel Castro. She became a citizen of the United States in the 1970s. In Cuba, Gorordo was a middle school science teacher and a teacher of children with disabilities. After learning to speak English she taught Spanish to students in America. Her greatest joy has been caring for her grandchildren and she has three great grandchildren. She is admired by her family and friends for her love of God, people and life. A proclamation issued by the Board of Chosen Freeholders recognized and honored Elsa Gorordo’s 100 years of life.
Elsa Gorordo, Spanish Teacher in 1970
NHPCO Answers Question: What is Comfort Care?
Inquiries have been coming in to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization asking for an explanation of what is included in Comfort Care.
(Alexandria, Va) – It has been widely reported in a statement from the Bush family that former First Lady Barbara Bush has decided to forgo further hospitalizations and curative-focused medical treatments and has chosen to receive comfort care. Questions have come in to NHPCO asking for further details about what makes up comfort care.
Comfort Care refers to care plan for the patient that is focused on symptom control, pain relief, and quality of life. Often support is provided to family members to help them understand the care plan and to address needs and concerns they might have.
There are different forms of comfort care. Two of the best known are hospice and palliative care.
Under hospice care, a person receives medical care as well as emotional, psycho-social, and spiritual care delivered by an Interdisciplinary team of professionals that includes a physician, nurse, social worker, allied therapists, counselors, home health aides, spiritual and grief support and trained volunteers. Each person’s care plan would be tailored to his or her specific needs with some patients requiring services that others might not need.
Palliative care means patient and family-centered care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering. Palliative care throughout the continuum of illness involves addressing physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs and to facilitate patient autonomy, access to information, and choice.
“Under the philosophy of hospice and palliative care, the goal is care and not cure,” said Edo Banach, President and CEO of NHPCO. “The same principles would apply to comfort care.”
Under the Medicare hospice benefit, a person must have a prognosis of six months or less within the doctor’s best estimation; however, hospice can be provided for as long as the patient needs it and is not limited to six months. Palliative care provides care and services without the required six month prognosis and can be provided alongside curative or life-prolonging treatment.
Hospice care serves people coping with cancer, dementia, heart disease, COPD, renal disease and other illnesses. The majority of hospice care is provided in the home, yet hospice care also is provided in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in-patient settings.
Comfort care would reflect the principles of hospice and palliative care, specifically designed to meet the needs of the individual patient and family caregivers. Hospice care provides the most comprehensive array of covered services.
In the U.S., hospice organizations are the primary providers of community-based palliative care and comfort care services.
“If a family is struggling with a serious or life-limiting illness, it is never too early to reach out to your local hospice and ask about care they offer and if it might be right for a loved one,” Banach said.
While more than 1.5 million patients avail themselves of hospice care every year, nearly 30 percent of Medicare beneficiaries received care for seven days or less, which hospice professionals consider too short a time to fully take advantage of all that hospice offers.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about hospice is that it’s giving up,” said Lori Bishop, NHPCO Vice President of Palliative and Advanced Care. “Hospice provides high-quality care and support to the whole person and to family caregivers with the goal of quality of life.”
Hospice Named Non-Profit Organization of the Year
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice was presented the Best Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award at the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce “Toast to the Stars,” Awards dinner on Wednesday, May 9th.
The award was presented in recognition of outstanding accomplishments by a non-profit organization with a reputation for excellence within the non-profit community, as well as with the public at large.
Other nominees and award winners can be viewed here. Click here.
Subaru World of Newton presents $15,000 to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice
Newton, NJ – May 3, 2018. Subaru World of Newton presented $15,000 to Julia Quinlan, co-founder and chairman of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the dealership showroom in Newton. Subaru World of Newton has proudly donated more than $65,000 to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice since 2015.
The donation was the result of the “Subaru Shares the Love” Campaign. Subaru of America, Inc. marked it’s 50th Anniversary in the United States in 2017. And for the second year in a row, there was no cap on the total donation from Subaru of America to its Share the Love charitable partners. 2017 marked the tenth anniversary of the event.
From November 16, 2017 to January 2, 2018, Subaru donated $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased 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 annual campaign.
The initial check to the hospice was for $14,584. Wally Darwish, general manager and Donald Allen, district parts and service manager each added additional donations to surpass the original $15,000 fundraising goal. “We are about reaching goals at this dealership,” said Allen. “Goals of the families we serve in the community, our employees and charitable organizations.”
“Subaru World of Newton is a committed partner in the local community. Over the years, we’ve faithfully donated to local organizations, like the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, hosted pet adoptions, rain coat drives for Project Self Sufficiency and funded our local elementary school’s projects. Paying it forward is important to our dealership and we’re always looking to provide expert care and love to those we interact with every day,” said Darwish.
“We’ve been the proud recipient of the Subaru Stellar Care Award, now currently known as the Love Promise Award, twice for outstanding customer satisfaction driven by our remarkable sales and service teams,” said Michele Rygiel, district sales manager from Subaru Distributors Corporation.
“We are so thankful for the continued support of Subaru of Newton,” said Julia Quinlan. “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.
Wally Darwish, general Manager of Subaru World of Newton (front left) presents a check to Julia Quinlan as part of the Subaru Shares the Love annual charitable giving promotion as the staff of Subaru World of Newton and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice join in the presentation.
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice named a 2018 Hospice Honors Elite Recipient
Newton, NJ, May 1, 2018 — Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has been named a 2018 Hospice Honors Elite recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst, the leading provider of Web-based home health and hospice software, billing and coding services, CAHPS surveys, and advanced analytics. Hospice Honors is a prestigious program that recognizes hospices providing the highest level of quality as measured from the caregiver’s point of view.
“We are excited to recognize the 2018 Hospice Honors recipients for their hard work and dedication to providing exceptional care,” said J. Kevin Porter of HEALTHCAREfirst. “I congratulate Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice on its success in achieving this highest of honors.”
Award criteria were based on Hospice CAHPS survey results for an evaluation period of October 2016 through September 2017. Award recipients were identified by evaluating performance on a set of 24 quality indicator measures. Performance scores were aggregated from all completed surveys and were compared on a question-by-question basis to a National Performance Score calculated from all partnering hospices contained in the HEALTHCAREfirst’s Hospice CAHPS database. Hospice Honors recipients include those hospices scoring above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on 20 of the evaluated questions. HEALTHCAREfirst holds a special recognition, Hospice Honors Elite, to honor hospices scoring above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on all 24 of the evaluated questions. Please visit HEALTHCAREfirst’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com to learn more about HEALTHCAREfirst Hospice CAHPS survey program as well as the Hospice Honors awards.
About HEALTHCAREfirst
HEALTHCAREfirst provides Web-based technologies and services to improve business and clinical operations for over four thousand home health and hospice providers across the United States. Based in Springfield, MO and one of the fastest growing providers of its kind, the company provides agency and clinical management software, outsourced revenue cycle management services (billing, coding and OASIS Review), CAHPS surveys, and advanced analytics, in any combination. HEALTHCAREfirst’s breadth of solutions offers agencies a single source to improve patient care, create operational efficiencies, increase profitability, and simplify CMS compliance. With HEALTHCAREfirst, agencies can focus on patients instead of paperwork.
2018 Hospice Honors Photo Gallery
The winning secret number from the 2018 Hospice Honors Banquet is 321. Please contact our office by Monday April 23, 5 pm, if you have the winning number. You can call 973-383-0115 ext. 145 to claim your prize of two tickets to the 2018 Wine and Cheese Festival. If no prize is claimed we will draw a different number.
2018 Hospice Honors Photo Gallery – Photos by Paul Wheeler
Bereavement Center Open House 4/20/18
Ribbon cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the new permanent home of the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center in April of 2017. Left to right: John Quinlan, Director of Development, Julia Quinlan, President of the Governing Board and co-founder; MaryEllen Quinlan, Vice-President of the Governing Board; Diana Sebzda, Director of Bereavement; Cecelia Clayton, Executive Director; Tammie Horsfield, President Sussex County Chamber of Commerce; Lorri Optiz, Bereavement Counselor, Tara Reyes, Bereavement Counselor and Nancy Moody, Bereavement Counselor.
The public is invited to attend an Open House to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the new permanent location of the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center. The open house will be held on Friday, April 20, 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., at the Bereavement Center located on 5 Plains Road in Augusta.
The Center exists for the community. Counselor help those who are finding it difficult to function because of the loss of a loved one find ways to cope.
The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement center has continuously served families in the community since 2000. Previously located on 61 Spring Street in Newton, the Center moved to its new, permanent location last April. The building on 5 Plains Road was purchased because of the generous support of the community. The Center also has satellite offices in Hackettstown and Milford, PA.
“Unfortunately, at some time in everyone’s life they will experience the loss of a loved one. The services offered by the staff and the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center truly help people find the road to recovery,” said Diana Sebzda, MA, LPC, FT, Director of Bereavement.
The centers currently offer group support meetings, anticipatory grief support counseling for families with a loved one who is dealing with a terminal illness, school bereavement support programs, memorial services, grief lecture series, children’s bereavement art programs, pet loss support groups and more.
“The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center is a sanctuary of safety. I felt unconditional acceptance and support and left feeling renewed and hopeful,” said Charles Stackhouse who received services from the Center.
We encourage those who have not stopped by for a visit in our new location to please consider it on Friday, April 20th. There is no obligation, just stop by to chat with one of our counselors and take a tour. If you know someone in need of help, bring them so they can experience first-hand the warmth, compassion and professionalism of our staff with no pressure of commitment.
A free travel tumbler will be given to the first 40 guests to attend the Open House. For more information or to RSVP please call 973-948-2283.
Who can benefit from grief/bereavement counseling?
Bereavement refers specifically to the process of recovering from the death of a loved one. Grief is a reaction to any form of loss. Both encompass a range of feelings from deep sadness to anger, and the process of adapting to a significant loss can vary dramatically from one person to another.
Everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time. Some people recover from grief and resume normal activities within six months, though they continue to feel moments of sadness. Others may feel better after about a year, and sometimes people continue to grieve for years without seeming to improve or find relief even temporarily.
When a person’s grief-related thoughts, behaviors, or feelings are extremely distressing, unrelenting, or incite concern, a qualified mental health professional may be able to help.
A therapist might help the bereaved find different ways to maintain healthy connections with the deceased through memory, reflection, ritual, or dialogue about the deceased and with the deceased.
In addition to individual therapy, group therapy can be helpful for those who find solace in the reciprocal sharing of thoughts and feelings, and recovery results are often rapid in this setting. Similarly, family therapy may be suitable for a family whose members are struggling to adapt to the loss of a family member.
The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center offers grief support and counseling for both hospice families and anyone in the community. The professional and caring staff can bring comfort and understanding which will help you and your family through difficult times. The counselors at the center offer individual counseling and ongoing support groups.
The month of April marks the one-year anniversary of finding a permanent home for the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center on 5 Plains Road in Augusta. The Center also operates satellite offices in Hackettstown and Milford, PA.
If you know of anyone who could benefit from out services, please give them our phone number, 973-948-2283. One phone call can make the difference.
Cecelia Clayton, MPH, executive director at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will be presenting a 4-part lecture series for those living with grief. Pre-registration is required as walk-ins will not be accepted. You can learn more about the series and register online at KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org/