Hospice Connect Spring 2023

Foundation funds launch of Camp Kaleidoscope, an annual 3-Day Grief Camp for Children and Teens

Thanks to generous donors like you, this summer Whatcom Hospice is hosting its first-ever 3-day overnight grief camp serving children and teens in Whatcom County who have experienced the death of a significant family member. There is no charge to families for their child’s attendance at Camp Kaleidoscope, since the goal is to make the grief camp experience accessible to everyone who needs it.

The first annual Camp Kaleidoscope will be held August 4-6, 2023 at Camp Lutherwood in Bellingham. We anticipate about 40 campers, ages 6-12. In 2024 the camp will expand to serve teens through age 17.

The camp schedule will include traditional camp activities, facilitated grief activities, a memorial service, training on coping skills, and connection to other grieving children. Camper families will complete an application and interview to assess camp readiness. Campers will be supported by trained volunteers and

staff who have all completed Whatcom Hospice volunteer requirements and approximately 15 hours of training. Grief camp can truly be a poignant experience. Recently at a similar camp, the children were invited to sew a special pillow made out of an article of clothing belonging to their loved one who had passed away. One boy asked for help to sew a sweatshirt, but he did not want to cut the shirt so the adult volunteer assisted the child with sewing closed the neck, waist and

wrist openings, then filling the shirt with stuffing. The end result was an adult sized sweatshirt-pillow that this child carried with him throughout the camp, intermittently hugging it as he would the full-sized body of the person who had owned that precious shirt. Whatcom Hospice Foundation has committed to fund the first three years of the camp. To learn about partnership opportunities, contact Shawn Fincher at (360) 220-6231.

SPRING 2023

Philanthropy Enables Hospice Campus Upgrades

Donors like you have made it possible for our Whatcom Hospice campus to receive some very nice upgrades recently!

Thanks to the generosity of Andrea, Jon, Roland and Ethan Nadler via the Synakos Foundation, new medical grade flooring has been installed in the Whatcom Hospice House. The new flooring replaces carpeting, making it much easier to keep clean and tidy for our patients and their families. The Nadler Family’s generous gift will purchase new recliners for all the rooms at Hospice House as well.

As a 24-hour medical facility, it is important that our patients, families and caregivers feel safe and secure coming and going from Whatcom Hospice House at any hour of the day or night. To that end, new fencing and security gates have been installed. The campus is also protected by cameras and a private security firm.

New sidewalks have enhanced the appearance of our landscaping and will help ensure the safety of everyone visiting the campus, including those with mobility issues.

Thank you, donors, for making all of this possible!

Letters from Grateful Families

Thank you to all who tended to my daughter and me during her brief stay at Whatcom Hospice House. Everyone was so kind and comforting to us both. They do a wonderful job and help make the end-of-life journey easier for the patient and family.

We are so appreciative of all you did for our dearest, lifelong friend. Words can’t express the love we feel for all of you. Your thoughtfulness at this time means more than we can say.

Our family wants to thank you so much for your wonderful care of our precious Michael. We would have been lost without your help and caregiving advice. We are forever grateful!

The incredible Whatcom Hospice staff granted help in my mother’s wish to die at home. We knew we had your support, which gave us the strength to carry on. Thank you for your service to our family and the families of Whatcom County.

Thank you for making our entire family so welcome and comfortable at the Hospice House. Even with several of us there, there was room for everyone to enjoy time with dad. We are so grateful that he was able to spend his final days in this beautiful facility, with the help of your top-notch staff.

Huge thanks to our hospice nurse, who kept my husband comfortable and our family informed. We will never forget your skill, kindness and compassion.

We are grateful to the Nadler family for providing new flooring at Hospice House

New security fencing and gates have been installed

Our new sidewalks are looking good!

Light the Night Auction Raises a Record $568,545

Thank you for your support of the 2022 “Light the Night Under the Sea” Gala Auction on November 12th! Your support helps Whatcom Hospice caregivers continue to provide compassionate care for our families, friends and neighbors when they need it most. We are thrilled to announce that our community’s generosity helped raise a record-breaking $568,545 for Whatcom Hospice!

We invite you to save the date for Whatcom Hospice Foundation’s 23rd annual “Light the Night Under the

New York Skyline” Gala Auction to be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Four Points by Sheraton in Bellingham.

For more information or to explore sponsorship opportunities, please contact Emma Harris at eharris1@peacehealth.org or (360) 788-6865.

Hospital Parking Update for those visiting the Foundation

If you are trying to visit the Whatcom Hospice Foundation office located at 3001 Squalicum Parkway, Suite 11, please be aware that construction on the new 400-space PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center parking garage is underway, so parking on the hospital campus continues to be limited. You may park in visitor parking on the north side of the hospital, near the main lobby and the hospital cafeteria. You are also welcome to call our Foundation office at (360) 788-6859 in advance to arrange for a staff member to meet you.

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 Fratus-

Thomas

Lesa Ferguson

Carol Garguile

Philip George

Tom Kenney

Andrew Krzysiek

Richard McClenahan, MD

Joyce Pedlow

Ted Pratt

Charles Prosper

Sarah Rothenbuhler

Orphalee Smith

Steve Swan

Robert Tull

Board Emeritus

Mike Bradburn

Sylvia Holmstrom

Doug Wight

Anna Williams

Foundation Staff

Shawn Fincher, MBA Executive Director

Amber Asbjornsen Chief Development Officer

Shaaron Coleman Stewardship Coordinator

Jennifer Fix, CFRE Development Officer

Connie Gabelein

Digital Engagement Specialist

Karen Haggen, FCEP Development Officer

Emma Harris Special Events Specialist

Tricia Head Foundation Assistant

Britt Kane Assoc. Development Officer

Anne Rasmussen, MBA, CFRE

PeaceHealth System Chief Development Officer & Vice President of Philanthropy

Whatcom Hospice Leadership

Shelley Rice, MD Medical Director, Hospice

Gurpreet Dhillon, MBA System Director of Hospice

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.

WHF Executive Director Shawn Fincher and his wife, Brynn Dirksen

2023 Auction Co-Chairs Erin Baumgart (left) and Tammy Yorkston. (Not pictured: Liane Koester)

A new St. Joseph parking garage is under construction near the Whatcom Hospice Foundation office

Remembering Patients through Annual Crane Ceremony

The long standing tradition, Cranes of Remembrance, took place on Tuesday, January 31st. The origami cranes represent the passing of loved ones in our community over the last year. Hospice Staff from the Northwest Network participated in the beautiful ceremony in which a light morning snow fell to the musical accompaniment of bowls and bells, setting the perfect tone for reflection.

1,090 cranes – representing 1,090 deaths – were gently offered to the fire with words of laughter and tears, remembering wives and mothers; husbands and fathers; sons and daughters; friends and colleagues. Smoke from the ashes lifted up, and as the hospice caregivers said their goodbyes, they prepared room in their hearts for the patients they will care for this year.

As a Whatcom Hospice Foundation donor, your generosity touches every patient and family we serve. Thank you.