On Friday, March 23 Compass Regional Hospice held its Annual Gala at Annie’s Paramount Steak & Seafood House in Grasonville. Continuing a tradition of giving that has sustained hospice in our community for many years. The 230 Gala guests helped raise over $172,000 to benefit hospice care and grief support services available to people of all ages in Queen Anne’s, Kent and Caroline Counties.
The top tier platinum sponsor for the 2018 Gala was Alan & Penny Griffith. The gold sponsor for the event was Kent Island American Legion Post 278. Silver sponsors were Anne Arundel Medical Center; CCS; Pilli Custom Homes; R.B. Baker & Sons, Inc.; Shore United Bank; and Tri Gas & Oil, Inc.
The Gala bronze sponsors were Accounting Strategies Group; Corsica Technologies; Edwards Pharmacy; Clay and Lori Mitchell; Peter and Diane Pappas; Queenstown Bank; In Honor of Michael and Tammy Rosendale; Dr. Thomas Walsh; Paula Warner; and Willow Construction.
Paula Warner and The Winery in Chester sponsored a bubbly and bling raffle that raised $10,000. The Winery graciously donated 100 champagne flutes and complimentary champagne. The winner of the raffle took home an elegant 18K rose gold oval shaped pendant with two carats of diamonds donated by Paula Warner.
In addition to executive director, Heather Guerieri and Kenda Leager and Kristen Majchrzak of the Compass Regional Hospice development staff a committee of board members and community supporters worked for months to plan every detail of this fundraiser. Gala committee members included board officers Janice Feeley, secretary; Teresa Baumann, treasurer and board members Martha Baker, Joyce Davis, Kathy Deoudes, Diane Pappas, Julie McMahan Thomas and Paula Warner. Community supporters on the committee were Cathy Adelman, Biana Arentz, Kathy Ciambruschini, Kim Kratovil and Sandy Mitchell.
Amidst the fun, food and live auction bidding Alan Griffith, long time friend of Compass Regional Hospice, presented Dr. Kent Young with the first ever You’ve Made A Difference Award— presented to individuals whose longevity of support has made a tremendous impact on the startup and expansion of Compass Regional Hospice.
“When we moved to Maryland, it was during a time when the hospice movement was spreading like wildfire in the United States. I had a strong belief in the hospice movement and supported the need for a hospice in our community,” said Dr. Kent Young. “I can only accept this award on behalf of the dedicated volunteers who were the sparks that lit the fire and those who helped the organization grow into what it is today.”
Ending his acceptance speech, Young told Gala guests, “The residents of our community have given so much, and it is because of them and their financial support that have made the hospice movement even better.”
Special guest, nineteen-year-old Cassie Blake helped the Gala attendees better understand the importance of their financial support by retelling her experience with Compass Regional Hospice’s grief support services after the death of her childhood best friend. Compass Regional Hospice offers grief support services to the families of patients who have died under hospice care, as well as community members who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
“The grief support team at Compass helped my friends and I through the first year of life without our friend,” Cassie recalls. “From day one of this journey they were there for us. I’m not quite sure how I would have made it through this chapter without them. They changed our lives.”
Wrapping up the evening a video played of a touching testimony from a patient’s family retelling their unique hospice care experience.
“We are so grateful for the many individuals and businesses that supported our Gala this year,” says Heather Guerieri, executive director, Compass Regional Hospice. “We rely on fundraising events like the Gala and donations from the community for at least 30 percent of our annual operating budget. Proceeds from the Gala make it possible for us to serve to anyone who needs our services regardless of their ability to pay.”
For more information about the hospice and grief support services available in Queen Anne’s, Kent and Caroline Counties, call 443-262-4100 and visit www.compassregionalhospice.org.
Compass Regional Hospice – Care on your terms
Compass Regional Hospice is a fully licensed, independent, community-based nonprofit organization certified by Medicare and the State of Maryland, and accredited by the Joint Commission. Since 1985, Compass Regional Hospice has been dedicated to supporting people of all ages through the challenge of living with a life-limiting illness and learning to live following the death of a loved one. Today the organization is a regional provider of hospice care and grief support in Queen Anne’s, Kent and Caroline counties. “Care on your terms” is the promise that guides staff and volunteers as they care for patients in private residences, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and the residential hospice centers in Centreville, Chestertown and Denton. Grief support services are offered to children, adults and families of patients who died under hospice care, as well as members of the community who are grieving the loss of a loved one through The Hope & Healing Center. For more information about Compass Regional Hospice, visit compassregionalhospice.org.
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~ Compass Regional Hospice