HORIZONS - Hospice of the Valley

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6 S T O R Y B A N K Teen just keeps on giving to Hospice of the Valley Karlee King, a teen volunteer at an inpatient hospice home, has dedicated a $300 cash award she won for her community service and academic achievement from Soroptimist International of Mesa to Hospice of the Valley. The graduate of Skyline High School in Mesa also was given a $300 scholarship to attend Northern Arizona University, where she plans to study biomedical science. Soroptimist is a service organization that advances women and girls. King was thrilled that Soroptimist gave her the opportunity to select a charity for the cash award. She said she couldn’t think of a more worthy organization than Hospice of the Valley. King has logged more than 140 hours as a volunteer at the East Mesa palliative care unit. She visits the PCU every Kids capture heart-shaped memories Five heart-shaped pillows. Dozens of markers. One goal: Let kids’ imaginations run free and help them color their way through grief and loss. For Charlie, that meant decorating his heart with a bright rainbow and the words “I love you. I miss you dad.” For Skylar, it meant drawing a hummingbird atop a tree to remember her brother. For Lukas, it meant capturing all his dad’s favorite things: a truck and tools, storm clouds and stars. New Song Center for Grieving Children introduced the art activity this spring, testing it with five children, Charlie and George Simon, 8; Lukas Fuss, 9; Audra Sims, 8; and Skylar Patrick, 6. It was such a success that New Song hopes Sunday to socialize with patients, prepare meals, bake cookies and assist the staff. King especially enjoys the one-on-one opportunities with patients, whether playing cards or holding a hand and silently offering her presence. “I like doing different things to make their days a little brighter,” said King. “It’s extremely rewarding.” to offer the heart-pillow art project to other children in the program. New Song, a program of Hospice of the Valley, helps children, teens and young adults cope with loss through sharing stories and experiences, as well as art, music and recreation. George created scenes showing all the things he and his father Larry loved to do like fishing and drinking slushies. Audra decided on a cheerful ocean scene in tribute to her father LaMont who used to live in Long Beach. Skylar chose the hummingbird because she believes her brother Logan sends the birds her way. “The pillow was really important to her,” said Skylar’s mother, Lori Patrick. “Every project she has done with New Song has been very impactful.” If you would like to support the art project, contact New Song: 480.951.8985. New Song kids with their hearts. Karlee King
G I V I N G T H A N K S Grants and gifts Hospice of the Valley extends our gratitude to: West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop has contributed $6,000 a year to HOV since 2001, totaling $66,000. Founded in 1994, the thrift shop is an all-volunteer organization that has raised and distributed more than $5 million to charities and churches. HOV was selected because of the support extended to many of the organization’s members whose loved ones have died, said John Heilman, board member. The 12,000-square-foot thrift shop at 10737 W. Peoria Ave., Sun City, accepts donations of clothing, furniture, appliances, jewelry, books and household items. The Arizona Republic/12News “Season for Sharing” gave $30,000 to support the agency’s 11 th Hour Companion Program, which offers a supportive presence for families and patients nearing the end of life. “This Season for Sharing grant will enable us to expand our services to support more patients and their families through the recruitment and retention of 11 th Hour volunteers,” said Lynn Tolmachoff, program director. Knights of Columbus Father Patterson Council #3121 has hosted an annual dinner/dance fundraiser for HOV over the last decade, raising more than $25,000. In 2011, the event was named in memory of the council’s four-year Grand Master Richard Seminara, who died on HOV’s service. The 2012 event was the council’s largest yet, with 152 guests raising $4,375. Event co-chairs were Knights Troy Revelette and Jeremy Williams, sonin-law of the late Seminara. The State of Arizona awarded a $32,075 grant to make Gardiner Home more energy efficient. Gardiner Home was built in 1955 and acquired by the agency in 1994; it serves 10 patients. The palliative care unit is expected to realize about $5,000 in annual energy savings. Armstrong Family Foundation gave $15,000 to Arizona Palliative Home Care, a program of HOV, to conduct a four-month telehealth pilot project. Telehealth—the use of technology to deliver healthcare services at a distance—holds promise for improving quality of care and reducing healthcare costs. The foundation was established in 1996 by Jo-Ann and Jim Armstrong as a result of the success of JDA Software based in Tempe. Fiesta Bowl Charities awarded $10,000 to HOV’s Pediatric Program, which serves children with lifelimiting illnesses and their families. The money will be used to support the position of a child life specialist, who helps kids cope with stresses through play and conversation. HOV is the sole provider of pediatric hospice and palliative care in Maricopa County. The agency hopes to double the number of pediatric hospice and palliative care patients served in 2012, increasing to 160. Thunderbirds Charities gave $5,000 to New Song Center for Grieving Children, a bereavement program of HOV. The Phoenix Thunderbirds host the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Thunderbirds Charities is the nonprofit arm that distributes money to charitable causes. US Airways Wings for Hospice program provided an additional $5,000 to help reunite hospice families with limited resources, bringing the company’s total contribution to $14,000 since 2007. Carlson Wagonlit Travel in central Phoenix has given to HOV in many ways over the last 15 years. In February, a group volunteered at nearby Coronado Home, where they planted flowers, hauled trash, raked the grounds and helped install playground equipment. The team also regularly volunteers at the agency’s special events, including AAHA! An Auction of Heirlooms and Art. They hold bake sales, pancake breakfasts and lunches to raise money, more than $3,200 so far. 7
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HORIZONS - Hospice of the Valley

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