Kumasi Mack remembers clearly the chaotic phone calls and unbearably long ride to East Chicago, Indiana when he learned that K’Mari, his bright, beautiful 14-year-old son with his whole life ahead of him, had drowned. It was Labor Day, September 4, 2023. During one of the phone calls, Kumasi heard K’Mari’s mother in the background crying, “Not my baby. Not my baby!”
“They told me they found him and took him to the hospital, but he did not make it,” recalls Kumasi. There were not many other details they could share with him.
Hours later, when Kumasi finally got to the hospital, he was taken to see K’Mari’s body.
“I went in to see him, hoping he was just pulling a prank,” says Kumasi. “But my baby didn’t get up. I was in shock. That was hard, but the hardest part was telling the other children.”
K’Mari’s death also brought back terrible memories of the day, two years earlier, when Kumasi learned his nephew had drowned.
And there was a feeling of guilt.
“My last phone call with K’Mari had been difficult,” says Kumasi. “I was concerned that he was getting in with bad company. I told him I was going up to get him the next week. I told him, ‘I love you. Goodnight. Talk with you tomorrow.’”
But there was no tomorrow.
“I felt K’Mari was robbed because he lived only 14 years,” says Kumasi of the young man who had already distinguished himself as a leader. “They had a big tribute for him at the high school and the library where he was a junior mentor. At his funeral, there were kids who talked about how their lives were changed by him. I had to trust this was all part of God’s plan, but that was hard.”
“I was trying to navigate my grief, but men have always been taught we have to be strong and can’t show emotion, can’t cry,” says Kumasi. “We don’t always reach out for help.”
Instead, a restaurant owner reached out to Kumasi. Her mother had just passed away and she understood his pain. She told him
A Journey Through Loss and Healing
about the Scolnik Healing Center and asked Kumasi if he had thought about going to counseling.
“She recommended Harbor Hospice,” he recalls. “She told me the Scolnik Healing Center offered free grief and loss counseling. I looked it up online and called.”
Six months later, Kumasi was sitting at the Scolnik Healing Center in a grief counseling session talking about his children and all the things they were doing, and about his father who he had recently visited in a hospital in Detroit. Kumasi was 27 the first time he met his father. Still, they were close.
“I realized I am so much like him,” he says of the man who turned 40 the day before Kumasi was born. Like Kumasi, his father was a poet and community activist. Both also served in the Navy.
Kumasi had the impression that his father’s health was improving and that he would be going home from the hospital soon. He was making plans to visit his father again.
In the middle of the conversation with his therapist, Kumasi’s phone rang.
“It was my older sister calling to tell me my father was put on comfort care,” remembers Kumasi. “His doctor thought he might die in the next 24 hours.”
Kumasi left the Scolnik, picked up his mom and a good friend and headed to Detroit, knowing his father’s life was suddenly being measured in hours instead of weeks or months.
“He always said he wanted to make it to 80,” Kumasi says quietly. “He was 80. I watched him take his last breath.
March 4, 2024.”
Excerpt from There’s A Story Behind These Scars by Kumasi Mack I can choose to Shed tears that you are gone Or I can smile because you have lived
I can close my eyes and pray that you will come back Or I can open them and see all that you have left.
Kumasi’s thoughts on reaching out for help and surviving grief:
I have learned that with everything there is a beginning and an end, and what matters most is what happens in between.
I know now that everyone grieves differently and it takes time to heal. Grief has no time table.
I will always love and miss my loved ones, but as time goes on, I have found ways to cope that are better than just being sad or angry. I have learned that it’s OK to cry and to ask for help.
I tell people it is good and healthy to go to therapy, not just for grief but for life in general.
I write poetry and I realized I can’t let pain dictate my purpose. I want to honor my son and my father and the other people I have lost, and keep their memory alive, so I can’t just dwell on my hurt. I use my vulnerability as a strength.
If you’re hurting, my hope is that you might see yourself in me and in my story, see that I look like you and know that it is ok to ask for help.
If you’d like more information about our grief counseling, which is absolutely free, call 231.728.3442 or 1.800.497.9559.
Kumasi and K’Mari
Lives Transformed Through Our Programs
Dear Friends,
This fall, we invite you to explore the heartfelt stories of individuals who have experienced the profound impact of our essential programs. These programs often face funding gaps due to services we provide that are not billable or reimbursed. The stories reflect how our dedicated care can be life-changing and emphasize the importance of your support.
The Andersons’ Journey with Palliative Care
Debbie Anderson shares her husband Rick’s transformative experience with our Palliative Care program. The compassionate and specialized care Rick received eased his physical suffering from cancer while providing support and guidance for Debbie. Their story is a testament to their deep love for each other and to the critical role of palliative care in enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families.
Respite at the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence
Beverly Anderson recounts her hospice journey with her husband, Ceaphus, the long-time love of her life, and highlights the respite services at our Poppen Hospice Residence. Ceaphus received hospice care at home and was able to enjoy intermittent stays at the Poppen when Beverly needed a break, especially during her recovery from surgery. When his needs became greater than his family could manage, Ceaphus transitioned one last time from home to the Poppen, a place where he already felt comfortable and at peace.
A Grief Journey—The Bob and
Merle
Scolnik Healing Center
Kumasi Mack shares a deeply moving account of his experience with our Scolnik Healing Center following the tragic loss of his son in a drowning incident. This heartbreak was compounded by the loss of his nephew just two years earlier. While navigating this immense grief, Kumasi’s father passed away. His story highlights the profound impact of our grief support programs and the compassionate guidance of our professional counselors. Counseling through our Scolnik Healing Center is available free of charge to anyone in our region who has experienced loss.
It is a privilege to share these powerful stories with you. We are grateful to Debbie, Beverly, and Kumasi for offering to tell them. Your support is vital and helps us continue to provide our entire Circle of Care. Together, we can ensure that patients and their families receive the support they need during some of their most challenging times.
Thank you for walking beside us.
To Dr. Harriman,
with Admiration and Gratitude
We have been deeply grateful for the past 18 years to have, at the helm of our medical team, the skilled, compassionate, and much-loved Gerald Harriman, DO.
Dr. Harriman started at Harbor Hospice as a once-a-week relief physician while maintaining a solo family practice. When it was time to hire a new medical director, he was offered the position but initially turned it down. Undaunted, the board of directors asked him again—they knew he was a treasure.
“I decided to take a month to think about it, pray about it, and talk with others,” Dr. Harriman recalls. “Then I accepted. I closed my practice after 21 years and thought I would probably stay at Harbor Hospice for five years.”
Nearly two decades later, he reflects, “Though I had no formal hospice training or experience, over time, I fell in love with the work!”
Not surprisingly, his patients fell in love with him! They tell us of his skill, kindness, warm sense of humor, and the way he fills them with hope and a sense of security, knowing they are well cared for. He listens to them. He stops their pain. He eases their anxiety.
“What drew me in was the realization of how much of my work is establishing good communication with my patients and their families,” he says. “I want to get to know them. I want them to have hope and confidence that the staff and volunteers know what they are doing and that I will help them feel better.”
Dr. Harriman did not start out intending to become a physician.
“I was going to be a lab tech,” he recalls of his early college choice. “I love studying, I love learning and science—and knowing the chemistry of life. My pre-med advisor suggested I think about going to medical school. He said I should be a doctor and help patients address their deep concerns.” It was an excellent fit for him, and he is still doing what he loves most—listening and learning.
“I have grown and changed during my time with Harbor Hospice,” he says. “This work changes who you are. I am a better doctor than when I started. I take the time—and I have the interest—to focus on each of our patients. And working with our Harbor Hospice and Harbor Palliative Care teams is the best. Each person brings something unique to our patients.”
Through the years, Dr. Harriman worked to expand and enhance our hospice program. He also developed Harbor Palliative Care and has been an effective teacher, increasing the community’s awareness and understanding of this life-changing medical specialty.
He oversaw the growth of our Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence and helped expand our hospice care, palliative care, and grief support to residents in three neighboring West Michigan counties. He guided us through adapting our care during COVID. And by his example, he has shown us, day by day, year by year, how we can provide the best care for each person who comes to us.
After five years that turned into 18, Dr. Harriman is retiring at the end of December. We are immensely grateful for all the ways he has improved the quality of life for thousands of adults and children—whether they had many years yet to live or only a few days. By extension, he improved the lives of those surrounding our patients as well. We will greatly miss his inspiring, joyful, and peaceful presence, and we look forward to seeing how he channels all that curiosity, skill, and loving care into future activities!
Dr. Harriman leaves the organization in well-trained hands. Continuing on are medical director Caitlin Fulton, DO, and physicians Danielle Sigelko, DO, and Melissa Duimstra, DO.
Susan Houseman President and CEO
Dr. John Mulder, Dr. Gerald Harriman, Dr. Len Wright
Dr. Gerald Harriman
Dr. Gerald Harriman and wife Nancy Harriman
Dr. Sara Dora, Dr. Harriman, and former Executive Director, Mary Anne Gorman
Ammy Seymour, Dr. Gerald Harriman, Sue Houseman
We are committed to providing the best care possible for the well-being of all our patients and their families.
Compassionate GIVERS
Amber Wallace
Ammy Seymour
Amy Strach
Arlene DeKam
Bobbie Hilleary
Bonnie K. Adamczak-Brown
Caitlin Fulton
Chad Shelner
Cheri Pernot
Connie Learman
Darlene Collet
Dee Kwiecien
Heather Brolick
Irene Pierson
Janice McDonald
Jennifer Briggs Russell
Jennifer Chupailo
Judy O’Brien
Julie Johnson
Karen Panozzo
Kim Suarez
Kristi Nagengast
Kristine Jordahl
Linda Boyd
Linda Siscoe
Liz Murphy
Mary Anne Gorman
Merica Dobry
Mhairi Blacklock
Mike Olson
Pam Babbitt
Pamela Wingard
RandiLynn Talsma
Richard Vanderputte-McPherson
Robin Anderson
Roger Morgenstern
Sally Bonter
Sheli Vanderlinde
Shelley Comstock
Susan Houseman
Susan Cloutier-Crain
Thomas A. Serio
Wendy Kersman
Mr. William Baldridge
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Bartrem
Ms. Sally Bonter
Dave Brown and Bonnie Adamczak-Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Donna Chandonnet
Dr. David Dora
Mr. and Mrs. Shannon Enders
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Essex
Ms. Mary Anne Gorman
Mrs. Shirley Gossett
Mrs. Mary Haara
Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Harriman
Mrs. Anita Harvey
Mrs. Enid Holly
Susan & Burton Houseman
Ms. Susan Jackson
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Jackson
Ms. Kristine Jordahl
Dr. and Mrs. Dick Kamps
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Kuznar
Mr. Will Meier
Mrs. Kathy Moore
Ms. Evelyn Morford
Mr. Roger Morgenstern
Mr. and Mrs. Don Nagengast
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Olthoff
Mrs. Karen Panozzo
Mr. and Mrs. Don Paton
Dr. Veronica Petty
Laurie Poppen & Family
Ms. Mary Price
Mrs. Judy Rahrig
Ms. Leila Reynolds
Ms. Norma Reynolds
Mrs. Sheila A. Salisz
Mr. and Mrs. Terry Simon
Rev. Eileen Stoffan
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Thill
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wierengo
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Ydenberg
Include Us On Your Gift Lists
by Ammy Seymour, Director of Development
From the day this organization was founded and began caring for its first patients more than 40 years ago, West Michigan residents—and snowbirds, too—have generously supported our mission by including us on their gift lists! Year after year, their generosity has enabled us to care for thousands of children and adults at difficult crossroads in their lives.
In recent years, we’ve learned that donors sometimes want to support specific programs— whether through a recommendation from a friend or family member, or their own experience with our palliative care, hospice services, or grief counseling. Some want to know how they can arrange for their estate to continue supporting Harbor programs after their passing. Others love the excitement of learning about new programs they can help launch.
In response to these questions and requests, we created donor groups under the umbrella of the Harbor Hospice Foundation. These groups offer individuals, families, family funds, and businesses the opportunity to choose the focus that best suits their desire to help. We call them Giving Circles, and you’ll find each one described in this newsletter, along with the names of the members.
Your support helps ensure the best possible care is always available.
The Harbor Hospice Foundation supports our mission and helps underwrite a portion of the organization’s capital and operational costs that are not covered by insurance or Medicare, and for which we cannot bill.
This year, we’ve focused on three programs that need growing support: Harbor Palliative Care, the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence, and our Bob and Merle Scolnik Healing Center for grief counseling. These programs incur more than $500,000 in annual expenses that are not reimbursed.
These costs include patient visits with our palliative care team, specialized staff training, maintenance and repairs, new appliances and equipment for the Poppen Residence, and all the expenses involved in providing life-changing grief support, such as rent, utilities, salaries for counselors, and our three-day Camp Courage for children.
The Harbor Hospice Foundation covers 40% of this funding gap, leaving approximately $300,000 that we must raise each year through special events, campaigns, and appeals like this one. That’s why we come to you now.
Why don’t we just cut back?
Because we are committed to providing the best care possible for the well-being of all our patients and their families—people like Debbie, Beverly, and Kumasi, who shared their stories for this newsletter. They wanted to express their relief and gratitude for having found the trusted, skilled, compassionate care they needed at exactly the right time. We are deeply grateful to them, too, for choosing us to care for them and the people they loved most.
Your gift to the Harbor Hospice Foundation this season will help us continue to provide the best care possible to those who need us.
Welcome to the new members of the Harbor Hospice Board of Directors and the Harbor Hospice Foundation Board of Directors
There are many ways to support Harbor’s programs and the people we serve. For your convenience, we’ve included an envelope in this newsletter. You can also scan the QR code with your smartphone, which will take you directly to the Harbor Hospice website for more information about all our programs and Giving Circles.
Kristine Jordahl President, Pumua Consulting Harbor Hospice Foundation Board of Directors
“I believe it is a privilege to be accepted into people’s lives during a very emotional and difficult time so they can attend family functions, go to church, or just take a nap. I’m honored to serve on the Harbor Hospice Foundation Board of Directors and look forward to educating others about the true mission of hospice.”
Mrs. Linda Allen
Mrs. Mary Ann Bard*
Mr. Douglas Bard
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Blacklock
Mr. Fred Cooper*
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Dobry
Ms. Mary Anne Gorman
Mr. John Gorton and Mrs. Laurie Poppen
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Grunwald
Mrs. Leona Mary Harriman*
Jody A. Miller Living Trust*
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kwiecien
Mr. Larry and Mrs. Lynne Larsen
Mr. Ray Mazurkiewicz*
Mr. Larry* and Nancy Medema
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Mellema
Mr. Roger Morgenstern
Mrs. Cari Noble
Mr. Laurin Ramsey*
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Rauschert
Ms. Leila Reynolds
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Seymour
Mr. and Mrs. Terry Simon
Ms. Kim Suarez and Mr. Ed Polakis
Ms. Sue Syverson
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Thill
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Youngdahl
Anonymous—Six Members
*deceased
Blended Furnture Market
CareLinc Medical Equipment
ChoiceOne Bank
Core Realty Partners
Eagle Alloy, Inc.
Fricano’s Muskegon Lake
Great Lakes Dock & Materials, LLC
Hines Corporation
Howmet Aerospace
Imperial Dade
Jackson Merkey Contractors, Inc.
JC Jordy Camilleri
Jennifer Green Photography
Lakeshore Employee Benefits
LHR Properties, Inc.
Lorin
Motion Dynamics Corporation
Muskegon Yacht Club
Newkirk Electric Associates, Inc.
Parmenter Law
Pigeon Hill Brewing Company
Real Estate West
Sand Products Corporation/ The Mart Dock
Shape Corporation
Shelby State Bank
Summit Fire Protection
Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services
The Block
The Gerber Foundation
The Hearthstone Bistro
Tridonn Construction Company
Tridonn Development Company
Trinity Health Michigan
UBS Financial Services Inc.
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Wasserman’s Flowers & Gifts
Webb Chemical Service Corporation
Options Within Our Giving Circles
Harbor Palliative Care and Harbor Hospice offer real help for real life situations.
Sustaining Circle—Bridging gaps and assuring the future
Members of the Sustaining Circle give an initial gift of $1,000 or more and pledge an equal gift each year for five years. Their support helps cover expenses incurred by Harbor Palliative Care, our Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence, and our Bob and Merle Scolnik Healing Center, which are not billable or reimbursable. These pledges allow us to plan ahead, ensuring we can maintain these programs at full capacity for West Michigan patients and families.
“We experienced the hospice care given to all four of our parents. Each of them had different illnesses and different settings for the end of their earthly life. Each of them received end-oflife hospice care that comforted and honored them. We are all so appreciative of the compassion shown to our parents and to us.
As a physician with the Harbor Hospice team from 2017 to 2020, Dick was privileged to work with a well-trained, committed, and compassionate group. Harbor Hospice provides excellent end-of-life care!”
Dick and Lynn Kamps
Corporate Partners—Where marketing and philanthropy meet
Our corporate partners make an annual financial gift of $1,000 or more to support our care for adults and children throughout our region. In turn, we promote our partners in our newsletters and annual reports, at community events, and on social media. We also help drive business their way by linking their websites to ours.
1983 Legacy Circle—Recognizing
When you designate a gift of any size to the Harbor Hospice Foundation in your will or trust, you are helping ensure that our Circle of Care for patients and their families continues even after your passing. Let us know if you have included the Foundation in your estate plan, and we will gratefully recognize you as a member of our 1983 Legacy Circle.
“The North American company Imperial Dade strives to support organizations that have helped our associates and our communities, which is why we support the Harbor Hospice Foundation in West Michigan. Through Imperial Dade’s corporate giving, we can help ensure that critical services, such as hospice care, continue to be available. When Harbor Hospice takes care of the physical needs of a patient, family members can focus on spending time with their loved one and making memories.”
Brooke Kieft-Anderson, Senior Director, Human Resources, Imperial Dade—Central Region
those whose gifts will be received after their passing
“I hold the Harbor Hospice Care team in such esteem for the comfort and support they give to their patients and to their families at the end of life that I have chosen to support that mission after my death by including the Harbor Hospice Foundation in my estate plan. There is no one more compassionate than a hospice nurse!”
Mhairi Blacklock
Compassionate Givers—Support in action now!
Compassionate Givers learn about three program needs each year, such as a nurses’ call station for the Poppen, or funding gap expenses like new technology and therapies that are not billable or reimbursed. At the end of the year, members collectively vote for their choice. Leadership Donors support that choice with a gift of $1,000. Rising Leaders support with a gift of $500. The impact of their contributions is immediate!
Jeff Munford V.P. of Patient Access, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Harbor Hospice Board of Directors
“The care and compassion shown by the entire team when my loved one passed inspired me to reach out and give back to Harbor Hospice in any way I can. I’m happy to serve on the board and look forward to learning more about patients needing our services.”
“I first understood about hospice care when my grandmother had cancer. It was a positive experience for my family, which I appreciate even more now. I want to help others understand more about both palliative and hospice care, because the more we share about these life-changing programs, the more comfortable people will feel talking to their doctors about them.
I counsel people about their finances, and I tell them about Harbor Palliative Care and Harbor Hospice, too, because they offer real help for real life situations.”
Sheli Vanderlinde
Melanie Flachs Chief Clinical Officer, The Peplinksi Group Harbor Hospice Board of Directors
“I have been a nurse for 39 years and believe that Harbor Hospice is by far the best in hospice care. So, when I was invited to join the board, I didn’t hesitate. I’m excited to learn more about Harbor Hospice’s vision and to contribute as a board member.”
Caring for the Long-Time Love of My Life
by Beverly Anderson
Ceaphus Anderson and I grew up about 40 miles apart in Louisiana, but we didn’t meet until my brother introduced us in Michigan! We courted for about 10 years and decided we really liked each other, so we got married. He was 16 years older than I.
We had a good life and raised three children. After Ceaphus retired, he was diagnosed with some major health issues, and when he got to where he couldn’t move too well, I took care of him. As he needed more and more care, it became too much for me to manage, and my daughter encouraged me to hire help. I told her that her dad was very private and wouldn’t want anyone to do too much for him. But she convinced me I needed to take care of myself; otherwise, I couldn’t be much help to him.
I hired help, but it was expensive, and I had to let them go.
One night, Ceaphus got sick and ended up in the hospital. When they discharged him, a social worker came to see me and asked about getting care for him. She also asked if I had heard
Time to Love, Laugh and Live, Thanks to Palliative Care
Rick Anderson was a talented drummer playing in a band the night he first set eyes on a pretty girl in the crowd named Debbie. He was 24, she was 18. He was immediately smitten.
“He told me later he said a prayer to God that I would be his girlfriend,” recalls Debbie of that life-changing evening. The two fell in love and spent the next 49 years together sharing everything—their love of music, raising their children, and running a family dry cleaning business. They even navigated unexpected territory when Rick was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After surgery and radiation, all seemed well.
But eight years later, the cancer came back.
“We were trying to live a normal life,” Debbie says, of the months that followed. Rick began taking a pill form of chemotherapy. He retired from the family business, and he happily continued playing in three bands. But sometimes he was in pain. Bad pain.
“I knew he could take pain pills every four hours,” Debbie recalls, “and I was constantly checking to be sure we had enough. But it didn’t matter. He still had a lot of pain.”
She knew they needed help managing Rick’s condition, and her son, Jeremy, suggested she have a conversation with Gerald Harriman, DO, the trusted physician who had taken care of Debbie and her family for many years. Debbie knew Dr. Harriman had left private practice to become medical director for Harbor Hospice and Harbor Palliative Care, and she asked if he would evaluate Rick for palliative care.
“Dr. Harriman came to see us, and that visit helped give us a life again,” remembers Debbie. “He prescribed a combination of medications and a flexible plan for using them to keep Rick comfortable and mobile. The meds also helped with side effects Rick was experiencing like nausea and lack of appetite.”
“Palliative care was incredible,” she adds. “It took a load off my shoulders. Rick continued treatment and we worked as a team with Rick’s specialists, Dr. Harriman, and the staff of Harbor Palliative Care. We had everything we needed. And for a year and a half, Rick was able to continue playing drums in three bands.”
of hospice care. I didn’t know much about it, so a person from Harbor Hospice came to visit and explained all their services. They also helped us understand that being in hospice care didn’t mean Ceaphus was going to pass right away. That visit was the best thing that ever happened to us.
The Harbor Hospice staff who came to our house to provide care were all so nice. We had the same aide here two or three times a week, and we loved her. I also learned that Ceaphus could go to the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence for five days of respite care so I could get a rest. Ceaphus fell in love with the Poppen. His room had a birdfeeder outside the window!
Ceaphus went to Poppen a few times for respite care, including twice when I had to have surgery. And though he usually shied away from people, he loved everyone from Harbor Hospice who cared for him.
When his condition worsened, Ceaphus went back to the Poppen for the last week of his life. I had no regrets. If he couldn’t have been at home with me, I knew that was where he would want to be. He loved that place. We all did.
The last night Rick played music, he walked out to his drums on crutches.
“He played as good as he ever did,” Debbie says, smiling. “And palliative care made that possible.”
After Rick had been on chemotherapy for about 20 months, it stopped working. His doctor tried another drug, but it did not help.
“I didn’t want Rick to go on hospice care because of what it meant…that Rick was going to die,” says Debbie. “But Dr. Harriman explained that hospice care is about a person’s quality of life, not quantity. We accepted that. The Harbor Hospice team helped with everything. When Rick could no longer get out of bed, Dr. Harriman developed another plan to keep him comfortable. We didn’t know—and didn’t want to know—how much time the team thought Rick had. There was always hope around the corner, and they respected that. They were all so kind and loving.”
Debbie remembers the last conversation she had with Rick, when it occurred to her that he might be lingering because he didn’t want to leave her.
“I told him, ‘Honey, if you have to go, you have to go,’” she says quietly. “I told him I would be ok. I knew eventually we’d be together again. I’d find him.”
Not long after that, Debbie went to awaken Rick to let him know the hospice nurse was on her way, but he had slipped away. She remembers the Harbor Hospice nurse holding her and comforting her.
“The whole experience was as good as it could be,” says Debbie. “The team was here when we needed them any time, day or night. We got the most amazing care right here at home, and we got to do it our way. From the time Rick began palliative care, he never had pain again. The team gave a beautiful quality to our life, even though Rick was terminally ill. It was a marvelous opportunity to have them care for him. The staff of Harbor Palliative Care and Harbor Hospice changed our world.”
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Susan Houseman, President/CEO
Ammy Seymour, Director of Development
Jean Williams, Communications Specialist
Sheila Warners, design
Susan Newhof, writer
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Enrich Your Life
Become a Volunteer
Volunteers play a vital role in our care of patients and their families. We offer training and many opportunities to share your time and your skills. Come join us! Contact Amber Wallace at 231-375-9306.
Calendar of Events
Coping with the Holidays
One-time session: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 3:00–4:30 p.m., repeated Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
The Bob and Merle Scolnik Healing Center 1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 303, Muskegon, 49441
In this special one-time group session, individuals will have the chance to explore ways to cope during the holiday season, with time to ask questions and share personal experiences. Helpful insights and ideas will be offered to support those navigating holidays and other special days after the loss of someone close. The Scolnik Healing Center at Harbor Hospice provides all services to the community at no cost, made possible through the generous support of donors and fundraisers held throughout the year.
Hops for Harbor Hospice
Friday, January 31, 2025, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Pigeon Hill Brewing 895 4th St, Muskegon, MI 49440
Join your friends at Pigeon Hill Brewing Company in Muskegon for a festive kickoff to a monthlong fundraiser supporting Harbor Hospice programs and services for patients and their families! Enjoy live music by Tommy Foster, raffle prizes, and an introduction to Pigeon Hill’s exclusive “Give-Back Beer.” Throughout February, $1 from every pint of this beer sold will be donated to the Harbor Hospice Foundation.
17th Annual Harbor Hospice Regatta Recap
For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.*
This summer, we sadly said farewell to our dear friend Jeff “Bubba” Allen, a life member of the Muskegon Yacht Club and longtime Harbor Hospice Regatta committee member. Bubba’s passion for the Regatta helped raise thousands of dollars for Harbor Hospice programs over the years. Though he wasn’t with us this summer, his spirit was felt by all.
On August 14, 2024, 25 boats participated in the 17th Annual Harbor Hospice Regatta. In tribute to Bubba, his wife Linda matched the event’s donations, bringing the total to over $44,000!
This year’s Harbor Hospice Hero Award went to Scotty and Clark Miller, who continue their mother Judy Miller’s legacy through the Judy Miller Challenge, a Skipper-to-Skipper challenge.
Winners:
• Overall Winner: Andrew Price and the crew of Peerless.
• Judy Miller Challenge Winner: Bobby Cox and the crew of Ricochet.
Thank you, Linda, for your love and support, and to Bubba for his enduring legacy. He will always be remembered as a cherished part of our community.
*From the poem The Tide Recedes by MD Hughes.
Camp Courage 2024 Recap
This past June, Camp Courage welcomed 37 campers for just a $10 application fee. The carefully planned three-day, two-night experience, staffed by 18 dedicated volunteers trained to work with grieving children, gave campers a safe space to laugh, cry, and talk about the loss of a loved one.
Camp Courage, our annual grief support camp, is designed for children and teens who have experienced the loss of someone close to them. It provides an environment where they can share their stories, express emotions, and connect with peers going through similar challenges.
Campers also work on projects to help them remember their loved one, while enjoying typical summer camp fun like swimming in Big Blue Lake and sitting around the campfire at night.
This healing experience is made possible by generous donors who responded to our spring appeal, fundraising events held throughout the year, and a grant from the Gerber Foundation, along with our incredible volunteers whose compassion and dedication bring Camp Courage to life each year.
