Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: November 18, 2008
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
PHONE: 973-383-0115 FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org
PHOTO: Jennifer Smetana, an intern social worker for Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Newton NJ preparing the items collected for the Blizzard Packs.
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice provides Blizzard Packs for patients and their families.
Newton-November 18, 2008- Just in time for winter, but handy to keep all year round are the Blizzard Packs put together by the Social Service team at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Social worker Stephanie Bootsma became aware of a need in patients homes for basic essentials when in crisis, for example if the power goes out or similar unexpected interruptions. Hospice social service team members Director Marlina Schetting and Stephanie Bootsma sought to come up with a plan that would help in advance to put families at ease.
Jennifer Smetana, an intern social worker with hospice since August, began almost immediately to fill the need and worked this fall to get the blizzard pack items either donated or funded. The donations and purchases include emergency provisions such as flashlights, non-electric can openers, hygiene items, energy bars, soups, first aid kits, cozy socks, and more were made by hospice employees, Dr. Tirpack of Sparta Dental Design and Friends of Hospice. Fifty bags were prepared and are now being distributed by the Social Service staff and hospice nursing staff in Sussex, Warren, and Morris Counties, NJ and Pike County, PA.
Smetana was happy to make this one of her first projects with hospice recognizing “when these emergencies happen, families already have enough to think about in taking care of a dying loved one….by providing them with this blizzard pack, it is just one thing less they have to consider. We are happy if they (the packs) help in any small way.”
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. For Northern NJ and 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, 315 West Harford St., Milford, PA. For all programs and events or for more information please visit their web site www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.
