New Venue For Hospice Breakfast

Yields Successful Fundraiser

By Nancy K. Crevier

More than 400 people attended the 18th Annual Summer Breakfast at the Waterview in Monroe, sponsored by the Newtown Chapter of Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, Thursday morning, June 14, dispelling concerns that longtime attendees would find the new venue out of the way. Prior to this year, the breakfast was held at the Fireside Inn, which was demolished late last year.

In a tightly scheduled program that welcomed guests promptly at 7:45 and ended promptly at 9 am, co-chairpersons Janet Hovious and Marg Studley orchestrated a morning of high-spirited chatter, delicious food and coffee, acknowledgement of the many local hospice volunteers, a brief talk by guest speaker Linda Napier, and a raffle consisting of items generously donated by local businesses and residents.

The 45 tables, seating between eight and 12 persons each, were sponsored by various individuals and businesses. Gold and red balloons bobbed above the crowds at three of the tables, marking a new addition to the event this year, corporate-sponsored tables. Newtown Savings Bank, T.R. Paul for Newtown Hospice Volunteers, and The Taunton Press for the Speakers’ Table were the three corporate sponsors this year. The Speakers’ Table was dedicated to Paul Alexander, who died earlier this year. His wife, Marilyn Alexander, was one of the founders of the hospice breakfast fundraiser, and the Alexanders were instrumental in the success of the program throughout the years.

Breakfast guests were invited to “tip” their waiters in envelopes provided at each table. One hundred percent of the money collected in the envelopes went to support Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, said Ms Hovious.

The Reverend Lee Moore, interim pastor at Newtown Congregational Church, offered a blessing prior to the start of breakfast, giving thanks not only for the lovely surroundings and plentiful food, but for the hospice volunteers and all who support them, as well.

Janet Hovious welcomed the many breakfast guests, among them Senator David Capiello. Senator Capiello, she said, has shown great support for legislation for Medicaid hospice benefits in Connecticut.

Marg Studley then introduced guest speaker Linda Napier, only to have Daisy the Clown burst through the crowd and take over the podium. Daisy, Ms Napier’s alter ego, notified the breakfast guests that “laughter is still the best medicine.”

Ms Napier, who has been a hospice nurse for the past four years of her nursing career, often dons the Daisy persona to raise the spirits of patients, particularly younger ones. “Being a hospice nurse and a clown is a place of trust,” said Ms Napier, adding that she has gotten back so much more than she has given when taken into the folds of a family of a terminal patient.

Sharing her own hospice experiences, Ms Napier said, “The end of life is sad, but it is also a time of joy and humor.”

In closing, Ms Napier had praise for the hospice teams of Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut and said, “I’ve got the best of both worlds. Hospice is about the connection amongst family and the hospice nurse.”

Fifty copies of Ms Napier’s book, Tender Medicine, were offered for sale at the breakfast, with all proceeds going to Regional Hospice.

“We were thrilled to see the nearly 400 people who accepted our invitation having such a lovely time,” said Ms Hovious. “It was a fabulous ‘Waterview welcome’ to the town of Newtown.”

Ms Studley added, “I was really pleased. This was the largest number of people we’ve had in the 18 years of the breakfast. I think that there is a greater awareness in the community of the good hospice does for people in their final days.”

The 18th Annual Summer Breakfast raised $20,000, said the co-chairs. “It’s just wonderful,” Ms Studley said. “We look forward to an even bigger and better breakfast next year.”

Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut is a community-based, not-for-profit agency serving Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Sherman, Southbury, and Wilton. Hospice strives to offer care at the right time to help those with life-limiting illness or to those who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Through support, hospice offers comfort and dignity to patients and families with life-limiting conditions.