FALL 2022
Introducing Shawn Fincher, our new Executive Director In early June, the Whatcom Hospice Foundation board and staff were thrilled to welcome Shawn Fincher as our new Executive Director. Shawn joins us after serving for six years as Director of Development at the Providence Heart Institute in Portland, Oregon. Prior to that, he worked for 20 years in fund development for higher education. From 2005 to 2012, he served as Director of Development at the University of Oregon, helping to lead an $850 million capital campaign. “Shawn is a forward thinker with a true passion for philanthropy,” said Anne Rasmussen, PeaceHealth System Chief Development Officer and Vice President of Philanthropy. “He brings to PeaceHealth a remarkable depth and breadth of experience and a proven record of leadership and collaboration. We are delighted he’s decided to join us!” Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Shawn attended Indiana University, where he earned his Masters Degree in Public
“The passison of the Whatcom Hospice staff, volunteers, and families who have used the services makes it unmistakably evident that the Whatcom Hospice program is a great philanthropic investment for our community,” he continued.
Administration. He is enjoying getting settled in Bellingham with his wife, 7 year-old son, and rambunctious 11 month-old Belgian Tervuren puppy. An avid road cyclist, Shawn recently completed a 5-day, 350-mile bike ride through Montana. In the winter, he enjoys cross-country skiing. He looks forward to checking out Mount Baker and other nearby venues for the sport. Shawn says he has been impressed by his introduction to Bellingham. “It has been great meeting donors and community members, and working with the wonderful Whatcom Hospice Foundation Board of Directors,” he said.
The Whatcom Hospice Foundation Board of Directors is excited to have the benefit of Shawn’s expertise as they consider the opportunities associated with their recent acquisition of 8 acres adjacent to the current Whatcom Hospice Campus — a purchase made possible by one extraordinarily generous anonymous donor. “Shawn is helping us think through how to best utilize the newly acquired property,” said Whatcom Hospice Board President, David Yorkston. “As we explore the possibility of expanding our hospice facility footprint to better serve our community, we remain committed to maintaining the serene surroundings that bring comfort to those at their end of life, and to their families.”
Foundation Establishes Board Emeritus Program This summer Whatcom Hospice Foundation launched a new Board Emeritus program to allow former or departing board members to continue their relationship with WHF as “Emeritus” board members. This status allows former board members to continue serving as community ambassadors for the program, participate in Hospice foundation events, attend board meetings when requested, and act as volunteer “consultants” in their areas of expertise. 2
Four esteemed past board members were chosen as Emeritus members based on their extraordinary contributions to the Whatcom Hospice Foundation over their many years of board service. The four inaugural Emeritus members are:
Anna Williams, who helped guide the Foundation through its early formative years; Mike Bradburn, who was the principal champion for the campaign to build the Whatcom Hospice House; Sylvia Holmstrom, a cornerstone member in terms of both philanthropic and logistical support; and Doug Wight, who has been a principal leader for WHF feasibility studies and land development.
Anna Williams
Sylvia Holmstrom
Mike Bradburn
Board Emeritus members are nominated and selected though a process of the WHF Board Development Committee. They do not have voting rights, nor do they undertake legal or fiduciary responsibilities on behalf of WHF.
Doug Wight
“The Board Emeritus program was established to keep former board member engaged with Whatcom Hospice Foundation,” explained Pattie Washburn, who chairs the Board Development Committee. She continued, “We are thrilled that these four outstanding past board members have accepted our invitation to become Emeritus members. It is a very exciting time for Whatcom Hospice Foundation!”
“Before I Die” Global Art Project Comes to Bellingham “Before I Die” is a global art project that invites people to reflect upon their mortality and consider the things that matter most. “Before I Die” walls are an opportunity for people to share their personal aspirations in public. Originally created by Candy Chang in New Orleans after the death of a loved one, there are now over 5,000 walls around the world. Thanks to the Whatcom Hospice team and others, Bellingham now has a wall too! Working in collaboration with Sam Hammes of Ram Construction and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, members of the Whatcom Hospice team helped create a
display on the wall across from Bayou on Bay in downtown Bellingham. With the phrase “Before I Die” stenciled in English and 14 other languages that are most common in Whatcom County, it is intended to be an inclusive community art project. The “Before I Die” Hospice team members at work wall also includes stenciling the wall amazing murals created by talented local artists. Be sure to check it out and write out your aspirations next time you are in downtown Bellingham! For more information on the global project, visit the “Before I Die” website at beforeidieproject.com.
Join us for the 22nd annual Light the Night Gala Auction! Save the date for Whatcom Hospice Foundation’s 22nd annual “Light the Night” Gala Auction, to be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022. We are excited to announce that this year’s event will be held live and in-person at Four Points by Sheraton in Bellingham. Tickets are $150 per person. “Light the Night Under the Sea” begins at 5:00 p.m. with our popular silent auction. Later, guests will be seated at tables of ten for dinner, dessert dash and then the live auction program. The live auction will 2022 Auctioneer Gaye Godfrey feature travel opportunities, private parties, artwork, fine wines, and more! We are thrilled to welcome back longtime Whatcom Hospice friend and auctioneer, Gaye Godfrey, along with our emcee, Dave Walker.
PeaceHealth Northwest Network Chief Executive Charles Prosper (top left) and guests enjoying a past auction
Events such as these would not be possible without support from our generous sponsors including: David Wight Glass Art, WECU, Peoples Bank, First Federal, Christensen, Inc., David and Tammy Yorkston, Icy Strait Seafoods, and many others. With their support and yours, Whatcom Hospice can continue the amazing work they do for members of this community. Register online at whatcomhospice.org. For more information, please contact Emma Harris at eharris1@peacehealth.org or (360) 788-6865.
Proceeds from the auction enable Whatcom Hospice to provide life-affirming care for people facing end of life. Despite being virtual in 2020 and 2021, our community rallied around the cause and raised over $393,000 last year.
Board / Staff List Board of Directors David Yorkston President Trisha McIntee Vice President Erika Buse Secretary Paul Twedt Treasurer Linda Erickson Past President Erin Baumgart Auction Co-Chair
Pattie Washburn Board Development Chair Mike McCallum Facilities Chair Katherine Deets Linda Diebert Lindsie FratusThomas Lesa Ferguson Carol Garguile Philip George
Tom Kenney Andrew Krzysiek Richard McClenahan, MD Joyce Pedlow Charles Prosper Sarah Rothenbuhler Orphalee Smith Steve Swan Robert Tull Foundation Staff Shawn Fincher, MPA Executive Director
Foundation Staff, continued Shaaron Coleman Stewardship Coordinator Jennifer Fix, CFRE Development Officer Connie Gabelein Operations Coordinator
Ann Prater Interim Chief Development Officer Anne Rasmussen, MBA, CFRE PeaceHealth System Chief Development Officer & Vice President of Philanthropy
Karen Haggen, FCEP Development Officer Emma Harris Special Events Specialist
Whatcom Hospice Leadership Shelley Rice, MD Medical Director, Hospice
Tricia Head Foundation Assistant
Gurpreet Dhillon, MBA System Director of Hospice
Britt Kane Assoc. Development Officer
Jodi Newcomer, RN, BSN Nurse Manager
Whatcom Hospice Foundation Mailing address: 2901 Squalicum Parkway Physical address: 3001 Squalicum Parkway Bellingham, WA 98225 phone: (360) 788-6859 email: info@whatcomhospice.org web: whatcomhospice.org Whatcom Hospice (Clinical Services) 2800 Douglas Avenue Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 733-5877
Please notify us if you do not wish to receive fundraising materials from Whatcom Hospice Foundation. Contact us at (360) 788-6859 or info@whatcomhospice.org.
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LITHTEX NW 2901 Squalicum Parkway Bellingham, WA 98225
Kay Rich Memorial Fund Benefits Volunteer Services After Kay passed away unexpectedly last fall, her brother, Buzz Rich, and her friend, Whit Ayres, wanted to honor her memory in a very special way. They felt that supporting Whatcom Hospice volunteers would be a beautiful legacy for her, and we couldn’t agree more!
Kay Rich was a long time Hospice House front desk volunteer. She started volunteering with us in September 2010 when the Hospice House first opened.
Hospice volunteers are an invaluable part of the hospice care team. They visit and read to patients in their own homes or in the Hospice House. They offer respite care breaks for weary at-home caregivers. They deliver medications and supplies. They bring handmade quilts, stuffed animals and comfort shawls to the Hospice House. They help maintain the landscaping around the hospice property, and so much more!
Community donations fund the entire hospice volunteer program, which includes the initial 32-hour training, ongoing education (including DVD’s from current experts in hospice and dementia care), team-building, workshops, and thank you gifts for our volunteers. The Kay Rich Hospice Volunteer Memorial Fund provides additional resources, supplies, and educational opportunities for these dedicated and deserving volunteers. Donors may support the new fund by visiting our website (whatcomhospice.org) and choosing the Kay Rich Hospice Vounteer Memorial Fund from the dropdown on the donations page.
To donate to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, please visit whatcomhospice.org or call 360-788-6859.