Hospice Breakfast Fundraiser Draws A Crowd

By Nancy K. Crevier

As the hour approached 8 am, the crowd surged in to The Waterview on Route 34 in Monroe, and promptly at 9 am, the crowd poured out of the lakeside site of the 21st Annual Newtown Chapter Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut Thank You Summer Breakfast. In between was sandwiched an hour of dining, sharing, caring, and good will as hundreds of supporters of Regional Hospice celebrated the volunteers, caregivers, and support services that help those with end of life illnesses to remain in the comfort of their own homes, and to die with dignity.

As has happened for the past two decades that the breakfast has taken place, corporate and individual sponsors hosted tables of eight or 12 guests, with the table host providing coffee service to the guests. An envelope placed at the center of each table provided a place for the guests to leave “tips” for their “waitperson,” all of which provided additional donations to the Regional Hospice.

Newtown Lions Club, Newtown Savings Bank, T.R. Paul, and Union Savings Bank were this year’s corporate sponsors.

“We sold more tables than previous years, and we feel so honored that people support us so well,” commented Marie Sturdevant, who along with Marg Studley co-chaired the event. “Every year, so many people come out to this,” she said.

Following the invocation by Pastor Greg Wismar of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown, who thanked God for the blessings of each day and for those who made the breakfast fundraiser possible, Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut executive director Cynthia Roy-Squitieri and Paul Sirois, Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut Foundation president, added their thanks, as well.

“This chapter alone has given over $300,000 to Hospice over the years,” said Mr Sirois. The need for hospice care has increased, he said, with more people taking advantage of the quality care, counseling and bereavement services, and outreach and education.

“We are proud of our exceptional programs and staff,” Mr Sirois said, noting that 25 Newtown families received hospice care this past year, and 100 Newtown families were among those taking part in the Healing Hearts program.

This year’s guest speaker was certified nurses’ aide Gerard Lamoureux, “a very compassionate gentleman with a great sense of humor,” as Ms Sturdevant introduced him.

“I never planned on being a Hospice employee,” said Mr Lamoureux, who shared his story of growth as an aide providing emotional and physical support to hospice patients. His initial reaction to a sign in the Danbury Main Street office of Regional Hospice that said “Hospice Workers Aren’t Hired, They’re Called,” seen when he first applied for a position with the organization, was one of skepticism, he said. But several years down the road, he now realizes how true that message is.

“Working for Hospice has changed my life,” he told the attentive audience.

Mr Lamoureux also shared some light-hearted stories and some poignant moments of his interactions with Hospice patients. “People at this time, end of life, need lots of support,” he said. It is volunteers like those honored at the Tuesday morning breakfast, and the supporters, who hold up those working one-on-one with patients, Mr Lamoureux said.

“You don’t get to see the results, but that couple of dollars you donate today is a lot. It’s a lot to the 10-year-old who gets to go to camp, to the woman who uses our grievance counseling, to the single mother who needs our assistance,” he said.

Volunteer and continue to support Hospice, Mr Lamoureux urged. “I know I’m really glad that Hospice called me,” he said in closing.

A raffle followed, quickly distributing prizes donated by Arbonne International Skin Care, Avancé Esthetiques, Friends of Hospice, Genesis Hair Studio, The Arts Festival, Joanne’s Fitness Studio, J.P. Maguire Associated, McLaughlin Vineyards, Mona Lisa Restaurant, Newtown Country Club & Brian Molloy, Nina Nail Spa, Planter’s Choice, Sal e Pep Contemporary Italian Bistro, Sandy Hook Wine & Liquors, Shortt’s Farm & Garden Center, Taunton Press, Taunton Wine/UK Gourmet/Klickers Hair Studio, The Villa, and Yankee Wine & Liquor.

Then it was out into the sunny day for the sponsors and guests, right in time to start the workday.

“The Newtown chapter is an amazing group of women who have raised thousands of dollars over the course of the years for an amazing cause,” commented Ms Roy-Squitieri as the crowd filed past her.

Terri Nackid, director of community development and relations for Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, agreed.

“It’s wonderful to see such support from the Newtown community, year after year. It’s inspiring to see so many people who are so generous in support of our cause, and it really does make a difference,” she said. It is because of that support, said Ms Nackid, that Regional Hospice is able to provide expert care that sets the organization apart from others.

“We are so glad we can be there to help families when they need us, and provide the right help, at the right time. It’s because of all who help us,” Ms Nackid said.