Community Hospice Foundation
"Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else."
–Fred Rogers
The world anxiously awaited the end of 2020, and we were hopeful for a better 2021. However, as Fred Rogers stated, it was apparent we were “at the beginning of something else”! Throughout 2021, Community Hospice Foundation embraced the continued challenges – the “something else”. Our generous and loyal donors also embraced the challenges supporting our mission and encouraged our staff to continue their caring and important work. Our donors supported drive though fundraisers, virtual events and gave from their hearts. Words cannot express our gratitude.
–Fred Rogers
The world anxiously awaited the end of 2020, and we were hopeful for a better 2021. However, as Fred Rogers stated, it was apparent we were “at the beginning of something else”! Throughout 2021, Community Hospice Foundation embraced the continued challenges – the “something else”. Our generous and loyal donors also embraced the challenges supporting our mission and encouraged our staff to continue their caring and important work. Our donors supported drive though fundraisers, virtual events and gave from their hearts. Words cannot express our gratitude.
"We thank you for everything you do. Your care, love, humor and patience went above and beyond."
As we continued to navigate the public health crisis, we knew it was important for us to continue to raise funding for Community Hospice to provide compassionate work for the patients and families under our services. With our loyal volunteers and Board who dedicate countless hours to our success, we assessed and pivoted our community outreach and special events. With creativity and perseverance, we moved forward with plans knowing that with COVID-19 we would need to remain agile and open to potential adjustments.
The following section highlights the community outreach and special events we were able to provide to our community in support of our patients and families:
Our Brick Dedications at Alexander Cohn Hospice House were held in the Spring and Fall. These bricks were purchased in honor of loved ones who passed on our services and are laid in a special walkway in the garden at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, CA. Due to COVID-19 we held a virtual Veterans Pavilion Celebration this year on November 11, 2020, at the Community Hospice office on Spyres Way. This important event honors our veterans and a special flag was raised in honor of Richard and Justin Wood.
Our Friends of Community Hospice Fantasy of Trees event was able to pivot to McHenry Village in 2020. The hospitality of the participating merchants and the continued generosity of our talented designers not only made this reimagined event possible but also made it a huge success. Guests/donors strolled the sidewalks of McHenry Village to view our beautifully decorated trees and wreaths. Mobile bids were accepted, and our generous donors provided over $77,000 in funding for our pediatric care programs.
Our long-standing Light Up A Life event that recognizes and memorializes our loved ones that have passed was held virtually on December 6, 2020. Our community used this event to honor family and friends that have passed by purchasing 170 ornaments and 776 lights in their memory.
In May 2021, we held our Community Hospice Foundation Route 66 Gala. This unique event took attendees on a drive-thru experience
down Historic Route 66. While driving through to pick up their gourmet take home dinners, guests were able to visit stations that represented iconic stops on Route 66, enjoy classic cars, sock hops at a roadside diner and midway games. To add to the “road trip” experience, Modesto Toyota donated a 2021 Toyota Corolla for our raffle, that was won by a lucky winner! More than 300 attendees and more than 70 volunteers helped make our event an incredible success.
Golfers looking for a sunny day of great golf attended Golf Fore Community Hospice at Del Rio Country Club on September 20, 2021. Over 149 golfers attended and raised more than $53,000 to support Community Hospice programs and services.
We were grateful to have Kenny Phillips and his team of dedicated volunteers host the Camp Erin of the Central Valley Pam Phillips Memorial BBQ and Trap Shoot. These two events are held in honor of Kenny’s late wife Pam. The Camp Erin drive through BBQ was held on April 16, at our Spyres office and the Annual Trap Shoot at the Escalon Sportsman’s Club on September 26, 2021. Both events raised over $25,000 for Camp Erin of the Central Valley, to support grieving children and teens.
Pick Your Passion is an internal fundraising campaign supported by the employees and Board of Directors of Community Hospice and Community Hospice Foundation. The funds raised from this drive supports projects such as Camp Erin of the Central Valley, our patient food pantry, pediatric patients and much more. In 2021, our Community Hospice family gave from their Hospice Hearts and raised over $30,000 to make the hearts of others happy.
"There are no words to express my thanks and gratitude for the help and care my husband received from Community Hospice. Your kindness and care is something I will never forget."
Community Hospice Foundation is led by caring and dedicated Board members, and we are successful because of their leadership. In a year that brought us continued challenges we were fortunate to be led by two strong leaders. Jim Cogdill completed his term as Board Chair in December 2020 and Teresa Scott stepped in to lead us in January 2021. The wisdom and dedication of these two dynamic leaders allowed us to navigate the ever-changing challenges of the public health crisis.
Our beloved Friends of Community Hospice members have been raising funds for decades to support the mission of Community Hospice. In 2021, nearly $173,000 was raised through their annual events, auctions and raffles. We are grateful for each one of our Friends members for their continued efforts and dedication during this unprecedented time. In a year that required out of the box thinking to create successful events this “army of love” was led by the long-time dedication and caring of Meryl Snider. From navigating Zoom meetings to hosting hybrid events, Meryl maintained a positive outlook and “can do” attitude as the core of this amazing committee.
Change continued through the year as Melissa Van Diepen, the dedicated Executive Director of Community Hospice Foundation transitioned to another local nonprofit to continue her good work in the community. In September 2021, our Community Hospice Foundation welcomed Francine Foley to the organization to serve as the new Executive Director. Francine has led local nonprofits for over 22 years and comes to our Community Hospice Foundation with a built in “Hospice Heart”.
For over 40 years, Community Hospice has been at the forefront of hospice services in Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties. It is because of our donors we continue this compassionate work. Your contributions are visible each day through the daily work of our nurses, chaplains, social workers, aides, grief support specialists and other program support staff. Thank you for continuing to believe in our mission of service.
The following section highlights the community outreach and special events we were able to provide to our community in support of our patients and families:
Our Brick Dedications at Alexander Cohn Hospice House were held in the Spring and Fall. These bricks were purchased in honor of loved ones who passed on our services and are laid in a special walkway in the garden at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, CA. Due to COVID-19 we held a virtual Veterans Pavilion Celebration this year on November 11, 2020, at the Community Hospice office on Spyres Way. This important event honors our veterans and a special flag was raised in honor of Richard and Justin Wood.
Our Friends of Community Hospice Fantasy of Trees event was able to pivot to McHenry Village in 2020. The hospitality of the participating merchants and the continued generosity of our talented designers not only made this reimagined event possible but also made it a huge success. Guests/donors strolled the sidewalks of McHenry Village to view our beautifully decorated trees and wreaths. Mobile bids were accepted, and our generous donors provided over $77,000 in funding for our pediatric care programs.
Our long-standing Light Up A Life event that recognizes and memorializes our loved ones that have passed was held virtually on December 6, 2020. Our community used this event to honor family and friends that have passed by purchasing 170 ornaments and 776 lights in their memory.
In May 2021, we held our Community Hospice Foundation Route 66 Gala. This unique event took attendees on a drive-thru experience
down Historic Route 66. While driving through to pick up their gourmet take home dinners, guests were able to visit stations that represented iconic stops on Route 66, enjoy classic cars, sock hops at a roadside diner and midway games. To add to the “road trip” experience, Modesto Toyota donated a 2021 Toyota Corolla for our raffle, that was won by a lucky winner! More than 300 attendees and more than 70 volunteers helped make our event an incredible success.
Golfers looking for a sunny day of great golf attended Golf Fore Community Hospice at Del Rio Country Club on September 20, 2021. Over 149 golfers attended and raised more than $53,000 to support Community Hospice programs and services.
We were grateful to have Kenny Phillips and his team of dedicated volunteers host the Camp Erin of the Central Valley Pam Phillips Memorial BBQ and Trap Shoot. These two events are held in honor of Kenny’s late wife Pam. The Camp Erin drive through BBQ was held on April 16, at our Spyres office and the Annual Trap Shoot at the Escalon Sportsman’s Club on September 26, 2021. Both events raised over $25,000 for Camp Erin of the Central Valley, to support grieving children and teens.
Pick Your Passion is an internal fundraising campaign supported by the employees and Board of Directors of Community Hospice and Community Hospice Foundation. The funds raised from this drive supports projects such as Camp Erin of the Central Valley, our patient food pantry, pediatric patients and much more. In 2021, our Community Hospice family gave from their Hospice Hearts and raised over $30,000 to make the hearts of others happy.
"There are no words to express my thanks and gratitude for the help and care my husband received from Community Hospice. Your kindness and care is something I will never forget."
Community Hospice Foundation is led by caring and dedicated Board members, and we are successful because of their leadership. In a year that brought us continued challenges we were fortunate to be led by two strong leaders. Jim Cogdill completed his term as Board Chair in December 2020 and Teresa Scott stepped in to lead us in January 2021. The wisdom and dedication of these two dynamic leaders allowed us to navigate the ever-changing challenges of the public health crisis.
Our beloved Friends of Community Hospice members have been raising funds for decades to support the mission of Community Hospice. In 2021, nearly $173,000 was raised through their annual events, auctions and raffles. We are grateful for each one of our Friends members for their continued efforts and dedication during this unprecedented time. In a year that required out of the box thinking to create successful events this “army of love” was led by the long-time dedication and caring of Meryl Snider. From navigating Zoom meetings to hosting hybrid events, Meryl maintained a positive outlook and “can do” attitude as the core of this amazing committee.
Change continued through the year as Melissa Van Diepen, the dedicated Executive Director of Community Hospice Foundation transitioned to another local nonprofit to continue her good work in the community. In September 2021, our Community Hospice Foundation welcomed Francine Foley to the organization to serve as the new Executive Director. Francine has led local nonprofits for over 22 years and comes to our Community Hospice Foundation with a built in “Hospice Heart”.
For over 40 years, Community Hospice has been at the forefront of hospice services in Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties. It is because of our donors we continue this compassionate work. Your contributions are visible each day through the daily work of our nurses, chaplains, social workers, aides, grief support specialists and other program support staff. Thank you for continuing to believe in our mission of service.
