Sailing through the Storm - April 2021
April has brought sunshine and flowers - a reminder that winters pass and life begins anew. Yet, COVID continues to pose challenges for operations at Celia's House and Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice. Our team has re-doubled efforts to keep residents, families and staff safe as case rates rise, fall and rise again. We remain committed to our mission - creating a meaningful, human-centered care experience for those facing end-of-life in Southern Oregon. Thank you for helping us to navigate these waters.
Keep Calm and Carry On -- Our care staff brings cheer and the personal touch to required PPE gowns. The crew stepped aside from resident areas long enough to remove their face shields for this impromptu photo. Pictured left to right: Cindy Muniz, CNA, Wendy Pestano, RN and Jessica Ryan, CNA.
Volunteers and Friends Appeal Kicks Off!
May 1 - July 31 - Goal:$125,000
By Julie Raefield, Development Director
This year, with so many of our volunteers barred from giving their time due to the limitations of COVID, we have been asked time and again to provide another way for them to help.

We are thankful for this request and respond by announcing our new VOLUNTEERS & FRIENDS FUNDRAISING APPEAL set to begin May 1st! Our $125,000 goal will help us meet the ongoing financial challenges that COVID has placed on our budget - as we face a projected short-fall for 2021.

Two long-time volunteers are kicking us off with significant donations earmarked as match challenges. That means we will be able to double the value of each gift we receive (up through a total of $43,842 in new gifts!)

The top priorities and fundraising goals for our VOLUNTEERS & FRIENDS appeal are:
  • Care Fund Contributions - $25,000
  • Fill the Gap – Annual Operating - $50,000
  • Celia’s House Mortgage Pay-Down - $50,000

DID YOU KNOW?
  • SOFH must raise nearly $410,000 each year from caring donors in our community to cover the basic costs of SOFH, The HUB and resident care at Celia’s House, beyond all the revenue we generate. Your gift to Fill the Gap helps us reach this goal!

  • When we receive $25,000 in additional donations to the Care Fund per year we can serve up to 20 more uninsured or low/moderate income individuals annually with full or partial scholarships.

  • When we pay off the Celia’s House mortgage we can lower our monthly operating costs by $6,000/month.

If you are or were a volunteer with us, watch your mailbox for more details on how you can SPREAD THE WORD to friends and family. If you can't give yourself, you may know someone who can!

If you are ready to double-your-gift's-impact today, thank you for clicking the link below and thank you for your gift!
MANY HANDS - ONE MISSION
Meet the remarkable front-line and behind-the-scenes people involved
in the care of Celia's House residents.
Celia’s House Introduces Wendy Pestano, RN
By Cheryl French, Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice Volunteer
Wendy Pestano, RN, BFN, CHPN was a critical care nurse for over 30 years before she was introduced to hospice during her husband Steve’s illness. “When I saw what hospice nurses can do for patients and families, I realized it is my calling,” said Wendy. That realization led her to become a certified hospice nurse over seven years ago.
 
Prior to joining Celia’s House in February of this year, Wendy worked in administration for a hospice residential care home in Southern California, helping patients who were unable to pay, to receive hospice services and care.
 
Now living in Klamath Falls with her second husband Brian, Wendy commutes to Medford three days a week. She admits she’s had to learn to drive in snow, but so far enjoys the serenity of her commute and the chance to continue working in hospice residential care.

“At Celia’s House I can be totally focused one-to-one with my patient and have enough time to be with them. I go into a room, close the door, and it is just the two of us. My experience with my husband and other hospice patients has given me the confidence to be present with someone. I focus on being a good listener in order to be with them wherever they are in their process.”
 
Wendy feels enormous satisfaction from making people feel special. In addition to her patients, she enjoys mentoring and supporting the rest of the care team, and encourages their professional growth through continuing education and training.
DIRECTOR'S CORNER
RISING UP, CARRYING ON & SHARING THIS JOURNEY
By Pamela Norr, Executive Director, Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice
Even as we continue to face ongoing COVID restrictions and financial impacts from this long pandemic, our hearts are full!

You, our friends and supporters, remind us daily that caring for those at the end of life with dignity, compassion, attention, authenticity and presence, is the best way to honor each precious individual and family who comes to Celia's House for help. The gifts you give in support of this important mission - whether time, skill or financial support - have carried us through this difficult time.

COVID continues to toss unexpected hardships and challenges in our way, limiting our bedside volunteers, increasing costs and curtailing family visits. But, we remain grateful because we see how many of you share our mission. And we know we are not alone.

The support of our volunteer greeters steadies our hearts. We revel in the beauty created by our volunteer gardeners who prune and plant, turning our grounds into a sanctuary. We feel relief when we see the positive returns from our HUB donors' and customers' continuing patronage. Most importantly, we feel our spirits renewed each time we see a visitor or family member pause to feel the genuine caring that surrounds their loved one.

It requires discipline, commitment and community to stay mindful, peaceful and compassionate in the face of strife. We thank you for helping us with your generous community spirit and the commitment you continue to share with us as we stay true to the discipline of our mission and culture of caring.
With Gratitude We Recognize...
...the caring people who contribute to Celia's House and Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice and we take this moment to recognize these special individuals.

  • Jerry Taylor, and his wife Jeanne, joined the support team of Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice during our Capital Campaign. With Jerry's recent passing we have lost an incredible community builder and a generous, compassionate human being. We are deeply grateful to have been included in his circle of caring and hold Jeanne in our hearts.

  • Cheryl & Rich Ugland became volunteers early on in the creation of Celia's House. They have given tirelessly of their time and expertise - helping in so many ways to keep us on the right path offering interior design at Celia's House, house fix-its, HUB store support and a myriad other contributions. We wish them well as they launch into a new phase of their life together in a new community.

Scone or "Scon"?
Delicious no matter how you say it!

Cecily Spenser happily serves up special treats to residents and families as one of our dedicated Celia's House cooking crew. By offering appealing meals and treats, Cecily helps create a warm, homelike environment for residents and families.

For a decadent treat that still has some healthy nutritional value, Cecily recommends a morning Scone delight!
Cecily's Cinnamon Bun Scones
INGREDIENTS
2 C. flour
1 C. oats
¼ C. + 2 T. sugar (divided)
1 T. Baking Powder
¼ t. Salt
1 cube cold butter
¾ C. milk
1 egg
1 t. Vanilla
½ C. toasted, chopped almonds
2 t. Cinnamon

Glaze:
¾ C. powdered sugar
3-4 t. Orange juice

Directions
Grease cookie sheet or use parchment paper. Combine flour, oats, BP, ¼ C. sugar, and salt. Cut in butter. (Or use a cheese grater to make this step a snap!) Combine milk, egg, and vanilla and add to dry ingredients. Stir until just moistened. Stir in toasted almonds. Combine 2 T. sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over and swirl into dough. Drop 2 inches apart in ¼ C. amounts on cookie sheet. Bake 11-13 minutes at 425. Cool 5 minutes and glaze while warm. Makes 12.
OUR SHOPPERS ARE WINNERS!
While everyone has a chance to find a treasure at The HUB, every month we award a special prize to a lucky shopper who has signed up on our email list. Our April winner is Phyllis Raintree! Call The HUB for your surprise gift!


CALLING ALL FURNITURE IN NEED OF A NEW HOME!
The HUB is in GREAT NEED of quality furniture donations! We support all those undertaking their SPRING CLEANING! And, we can arrange for free pick-ups! Please call 541-488-7805.

Precious stones, gold, silver and jewelry donations also gratefully Accepted! Drop by with your beloved no-longer-needed items, 10:30-4:30 daily.

Mover-Helper needed for donation pick-ups. If you have a few hours a week with some muscle to share we really need your help! We provide the vehicle for weekly pick ups and furniture moves from donors to our warehouse or store. We will be happy to give you more information. Please call 541-488-7805

Visit us in person at 1618 Ashland Street, Ashland or visit our eBay store to see some new treasures! Check them out here: The HUB eBay store

Coming Soon...
SIDEWALK SALE! May 14 & 15 - Super Spring Fling
Please watch our HUB Facebook Page for details!
Need Help or Have Questions?

Call Sarah Bieniek, Administrative Assistant at:
541-500-8911

Photo: The Jeanne and Jerry Taylor Garden at Celia's House in Holmes Park

Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice
Mailing Address:
217 S. Modoc Ave., Medford, OR 97504