Hospice of Westchester Honors Staff, Patients at “In Celebration” Gala Cocktail Reception
Westchester County, NY (PRWEB) October 11, 2017 -- Hospice of Westchester (HOW) recently hosted its 16th annual “In Celebration” Gala Cocktail Reception, featuring special guest speaker Stone Phillips. In recognition of the organization’s 25th anniversary, the evening honored HOW’s exceptional and compassionate staff and volunteers, as well as the organization’s patients and their families. The event, which took place on September 28 at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, also celebrated the life of Anna L. Shereff, founder of the organization’s Anna & Louis H. Shereff Caregiver and Complementary Care Programs.
During the event, Phillips, an Emmy Award-winning News Anchor and Correspondent, spoke about his personal connection to hospice care. Both of his parents were on hospice programs during the final months of their lives.
“Hospice is wise and wonderful, and hospice professionals and volunteers are angels,” said Phillips. “Thank you to all of you for doing this work - for your wisdom, your compassion and for your service. You are amazing.”
Proceeds from the event have been earmarked for The Anna & Louis H. Shereff Caregiver and Complementary Care Programs. The latter provides alternative therapies such as music therapy, art therapy, reflexology and massage therapy, to those receiving hospice care. These therapies can help to alleviate pain, stress and anxiety, and are offered to all HOW patients free of charge due to the generosity and vision of Anna L. Shereff and supporters of “In Celebration”.
Mary K. Spengler, MS, HOW’s chief executive officer, expressed her gratitude to the staff and volunteers for their unwavering commitment to the organization’s patients and families. She shared anecdotes which illustrated the profound effect the HOW team has on those they serve.
She also spoke about the patients that HOW has served throughout its 25 years and their families, before introducing Eileen Ring, who shared a few words about her and her family’s experience having her father receive services from HOW.
“Our 25th anniversary presented the perfect opportunity to honor our talented and dedicated staff and volunteers, whom I am lucky to work alongside every day, as well as our patients and their families. We are honored to be invited into their lives during such an important time. It was truly a delight to pay tribute to them all during this incredible evening,” Spengler said.
The event concluded with Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino presenting Spengler with a proclamation declaring September 28 as Hospice of Westchester Day.
The Grand Sponsors for this year’s event were Rochelle and Jesse Shereff. Signature Sponsors included Grassy Sprain Pharmacy, Michele Fraser Geller, Paul T. Khoury, MD, and White Plains Hospital. Premier Sponsors were Beecher Flooks Funeral Home, Inc., The Hildegarde D. Becher Foundation, Inc. and VNS Westchester. Brown, Gruttadaro, Gaujean, Prato & Sastow, PLLC was the Entertainment & Gift Sponsor.
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About Hospice of Westchester:
Hospice of Westchester (HOW) is a private, not-for-profit healthcare agency that provides skilled, compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life home care to patients diagnosed with any serious or life-limiting illness and gives support to their families and loved ones. Hospice of Westchester is located at 1025 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200, White Plains, NY. For additional information, visit http://www.hospiceofwestchester.org or call (914) 682-1484. For the latest news and updates, find HOW on Facebook.
Kayleigh Lentz, Co-Communications, Inc., +1 (914) 666-0066, [email protected]
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