Annual Breakfast Helps Regional Hospice

The Newtown Chapter of Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut held its 12th annual fundraising breakfast, “A Good Time for a Great Cause,” on Monday at the Fireside Inn, drawing several hundred people in what is its largest event of the year.

Thirty-eight tables, decorated with floral arrangements contributed by Newtown Country Mill and Super Stop & Shop, were filled with happy guests who dined free, giving generous tips to their waiter/hosts to help Regional Hospice continue its  extensive services to the community’s terminally ill and their families.

Hosts included Paul Alexander, Peggy Baiad, Marcia Cavanaugh, Merrilee Currier, Curtiss & Crandon, Bill Denlinger, The Drug Center pharmacy, Robert and Joan Dyer, Karen Finlayson, Judy Fuller, Helen Herbold, Neil D. Johnson, Christopher Kerin, the Kights of Columbus Virgilius Council 185, Joanne Logan, Bob and JoAnn Maurer, Newtown Democratic Town Committee, Newtown Junior Woman’s Club, Newtown Republican Town Committee, Newtown Savings Bank, Lisa Pescetelli, Pootatuck Spirits, the Russo family, St Rose Social Concerns/ProLife-Pro Family Committees, Savings Bank of Danbury, Bill Stax, Don Studley, Marie Sturdevant and Cynthia Simon, Bob Tendler, Bill Timmell, Bill Valenti, Judy Volpe, Wendy White, Chris Wiemels, Women Involved in Newtown, and Janet Woycik.

The Rev Robert Weiss, pastor of St Rose of Lima, opened the breakfast with a prayer. The guest speaker was Kendall Palladino, Regional Hospice bereavement and spiritual coordinator. Mr Palladino said Hospice stays with families for 13 months after the death of a patient, to continue to provide supportive services.

Also attending were Maureen Moore, executive director of  Regional Hospice; Livia Fiordelisi, volunteer coordinator; and Jeanne Banks, fund development director.

The breakfast raises about  $15,000 each year for Regional Hospice.