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MARTINSBURG — The Hospice of the Panhandle held the first “Hospice Day” at the Martinsburg Mall to raise
both awareness and money for the group that provides end-of-life care for area residents.
The day included nearly 20 different entertainment, fundraising and informational activities, from live music to
Zen gardening.
“Our primary goal is public awareness,” said Laura Schiffman-Newberry, a community relations representative
for Hospice. “I think that (for) people with life-limiting illness ... it’s important for them to be surrounded by the
environment that makes them comfortable.”
She said the first event of the day, a walkathon around the mall, raised an estimated $3,500 for Hospice. The
total money raised for the day was unknown at press time, but the mall seemed abuzz with interest in the day’s
events.
Cathy Fudge brought Brodi, an Alaskan malamute therapy dog, to the mall to raise awareness of the benefits a
friendly pup can provide those who are seriously ill.
“We visit Hospice patients and nursing homes,” Fudge said. “We’re trying to recruit more therapy dogs. ... They
make such a difference in people’s lives,” she said.
Heidi Boyd, a Hospice social worker on-hand to assist people with the preparation of their wills, said that she
can’t imagine her life without Hospice.
“I like going out into people’s homes and supporting patients,” she said. “A lot of our patients are older, and
they have wonderful stories to tell.”
Jessica Branson, a Hospice aid, was helping to run the day’s mall-wide scavenger hunt, which featured about
$2,000 worth of prizes.
Helping people to learn about the Hospice program and being involved is having “a connection with the family
that you can’t really get anywhere else,” said Branson.
Crayon, the Hospice clown, was in the mall Saturday entertaining children with her puppet bird, Twig. But she
said that her normal gig is brightening the lives of Hospice patients.
“I’m a Christian clown,” she said. “I guess you could say I was called.”
Jack Myers was in the mall to show off Opie, his pet macaw parrot, to entertain families who were interested in
learning more about Hospice. He said that he was helping out because “(Hospice) helped me when my wife
passed away.”
The girls of Girl Scouts of America Troop 701 from Harpers Ferry were helping out as a part of the “Clowning
around with Hospice” program to earn community service points toward merit badges. The girls dressed in
clown wigs and red noses while handing out Hospice information pamphlets to passing adults and red clown
noses to children.
Troop leader Kim Kracun said, “We felt it was a worthy organization.”
Lisa Blankenship, another troop leader, said, “We thought it was good for the girls to know how (Hospice)
makes (death) easier for the family.”
One of the scouts, Hanna Kracun, 6, said “My favorite part is that I get to help people.”
Ashley Fedkiw, 7, another scout, said her favorite part of Hospice Day was “being a clown.”
She said that passing children told them “that we’re funny and they like our wigs.”
both awareness and money for the group that provides end-of-life care for area residents.
The day included nearly 20 different entertainment, fundraising and informational activities, from live music to
Zen gardening.
“Our primary goal is public awareness,” said Laura Schiffman-Newberry, a community relations representative
for Hospice. “I think that (for) people with life-limiting illness ... it’s important for them to be surrounded by the
environment that makes them comfortable.”
She said the first event of the day, a walkathon around the mall, raised an estimated $3,500 for Hospice. The
total money raised for the day was unknown at press time, but the mall seemed abuzz with interest in the day’s
events.
Cathy Fudge brought Brodi, an Alaskan malamute therapy dog, to the mall to raise awareness of the benefits a
friendly pup can provide those who are seriously ill.
“We visit Hospice patients and nursing homes,” Fudge said. “We’re trying to recruit more therapy dogs. ... They
make such a difference in people’s lives,” she said.
Heidi Boyd, a Hospice social worker on-hand to assist people with the preparation of their wills, said that she
can’t imagine her life without Hospice.
“I like going out into people’s homes and supporting patients,” she said. “A lot of our patients are older, and
they have wonderful stories to tell.”
Jessica Branson, a Hospice aid, was helping to run the day’s mall-wide scavenger hunt, which featured about
$2,000 worth of prizes.
Helping people to learn about the Hospice program and being involved is having “a connection with the family
that you can’t really get anywhere else,” said Branson.
Crayon, the Hospice clown, was in the mall Saturday entertaining children with her puppet bird, Twig. But she
said that her normal gig is brightening the lives of Hospice patients.
“I’m a Christian clown,” she said. “I guess you could say I was called.”
Jack Myers was in the mall to show off Opie, his pet macaw parrot, to entertain families who were interested in
learning more about Hospice. He said that he was helping out because “(Hospice) helped me when my wife
passed away.”
The girls of Girl Scouts of America Troop 701 from Harpers Ferry were helping out as a part of the “Clowning
around with Hospice” program to earn community service points toward merit badges. The girls dressed in
clown wigs and red noses while handing out Hospice information pamphlets to passing adults and red clown
noses to children.
Troop leader Kim Kracun said, “We felt it was a worthy organization.”
Lisa Blankenship, another troop leader, said, “We thought it was good for the girls to know how (Hospice)
makes (death) easier for the family.”
One of the scouts, Hanna Kracun, 6, said “My favorite part is that I get to help people.”
Ashley Fedkiw, 7, another scout, said her favorite part of Hospice Day was “being a clown.”
She said that passing children told them “that we’re funny and they like our wigs.”
The Journal - Local News
Event highlights Hospice
By ERIK M. ANDERSON/Journal staff writer
POSTED: March 16, 2008
Event highlights Hospice
By ERIK M. ANDERSON/Journal staff writer
POSTED: March 16, 2008
Delilah Woods, 8, pets Brodi, an Alaskan malamute,
on Hospice Day at the Martinsburg Mall on Saturday.
(Journal photo by Martin B. Cherry)
on Hospice Day at the Martinsburg Mall on Saturday.
(Journal photo by Martin B. Cherry)
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