A Fine Time For A Fine Cause

By Nancy K. Crevier

There was an air of festivity, despite the hour, at The Fireside Inn as the Newtown Chapter of Regional Hospice hosted its 16th Annual Summer Breakfast on June 14 at 7:45. Red, white, and blue balloons bobbed above 40 tables hosted by local businesses, organizations, and private individuals, and the scent of bacon and coffee wafted through the air. Trays of pastries and bagels served to whet the appetites of those who attended.

At what co-chairperson Janet Hovious estimated to be the best-attended breakfast fundraiser yet, more than 300 old friends and new friends mingled and chatted. Marg Studley, also a Newtown chapter co-chairperson, assisted Ms Hovious and Terri Nackid, director of community relations and development for Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, Inc in coordinating the many raffle donations from area businesses, and ensured that the event moved along smoothly.

Table sponsors, who each paid $75 for their eight guests, had the honor of serving steaming plates of bacon, eggs, and hash browns to their guests. Bulging envelopes on each table were filled with “tips” from the guests, which are actually contributions to Hospice. Last year’s breakfast fundraiser allowed the Newtown Chapter to contribute $17,700 to Regional Hospice, and Ms Hovious was very hopeful that the number would be topped this year.

As breakfasters finished up, guest speaker Joan Thorburn, a Regional Hospice nurse with more than ten years experience in the hospice field and 35 years in nursing experience, spoke on the importance of hospice work and the value of support from local chapters and local family support volunteers. Hospice nurses are highly skilled individuals who undergo intensive training in order to meet the needs of end-of-life patients and their caregivers, said Ms Thorburn. Hospice nursing, she told the audience, goes beyond life and professional experiences, as the realization that people are a “woven-together fabric of spirit, mind, and body” shapes the quality of care.

For hospice to work, it must meet a huge array of needs, she said, and it is through the collaboration of an integrated team ministering to physical, psychological, and spiritual needs, as well as the help of family support volunteers, that it is successful.

In closing, she thanked all who attended for their support of Regional Hospice “now and in the future,” and particularly Newtown family support volunteers Dave Andreotta, Janice Anthony, Lyn Atkinson, Marge Coughlin, Pat Cumming, June Cross, Debbie DeLollis, Diane Leaman, Vicki Nowicki, and Christine Wiemels.

Before closing remarks of appreciation, Ms Houvious and Ms Studley rolled the barrel of raffle tickets and announced the lucky winners of prizes that ranged from limited edition lithographs by Newtown artist David Merrill to a handcrafter coffee canister from Italy donated by Elizabeth Ricci, as well as gift certificates, wine selections, and gourmet gift baskets.

The goodwill of a morning well spent spilled over into the crowded parking lot, with nary a fretful honk heard as Newtown Police directed everyone on their way, hearts and stomachs satisfied.