There is a tremendous amount of activity taking place at Hospice and behind the scenes regarding the organization’s plans for the new year. With a waiting list at the Hospice House, more education required for volunteers, and additional community education needed for caregiving and grief, the Hospice House addition and volunteer training center are needed now more than ever. The architect and engineer have completed drawings for the Hospice House addition and volunteer training center. The architect will soon announce that contractors can submit sealed bids for the training center construction, and the ground breaking will take place as soon as the contractor has been chosen. Hospice recently received notification that the organization can’t submit the certificate of need application for the Hospice House until September, but letters of support and information for the application are already being assembled. Construction on the addition will begin as soon as the certificate of need is approved.

The most pressing and critical activities are currently focused on the “Hands of Hope” campaign to raise the $4.2 million necessary for construction. Beginning October 26, Hospice staff assembled a team of dedicated volunteers to conduct the campaign. The Hospice Board of Directors was first approached and responded with 100% participation followed by staff and volunteers. Campaign volunteers have been working in the leadership, major and medical community divisions with the assistance of Executive Director Rita Burch and Director of Support Services/Campaign Director Heidi Owen who are both certified fund raising executives (CFRE). They are meeting with foundations, individuals and small groups at businesses, homes or restaurants. The goal of these meetings is to request gifts or pledges of $5,000 and above in order to meet the $4.2 million goal. Pledges can enable the donor to make a larger contribution over a three to five year period. Naming opportunities are available in both facilities based on visibility. Please refer to the article on page 2 of this publication regarding the 2007 IRA Rollover benefit. From October 26 through January 8, the “Hands of Hope” campaign raised almost $1.5 million. The campaign is moving forward, but there are so many other individuals and businesses who have been supportive in the past or who have had a recent experience with Hospice who need to hear the presentation.

Additional volunteers are also needed who will contribute and assist other volunteers in identifying people who may be interested in investing in this project. Even those who have not had personal contact with Hospice can appreciate the care provided for the community regardless of the ability to pay, as well as the education that will come from the new volunteer training center. Staff and volunteers will meet with these individuals in their homes or places of business. After the leadership ($10,000 and above), major ($5,000 - $10,000) and medical community divisions are complete and have raised approximately two thirds of the goal, Hospice will embark on the community division requesting gifts at $5,000 and below. Please contact Heidi Owen at (828) 245-0095 or in North or South Carolina at (800) 218-2273 to set up a convenient time to discuss Hospice of Rutherford County’s plans for 2007.