Out & About: Excela Health Hospice celebrates ‘Christmas in July’
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A festive holiday season was in the air with more than 200 people gathering for the Excela Health Hospice “Christmas in July” on Thursday7 evening at Rizzo’s Banquet Hall in Crabtree.
Amid snowmen and brightly decorated trees, guests partook of hors d’oeuvres looking more like a Christmas feast than light bites to whet the appetite. Following was a full dinner, accompanied by a glass of house sangria and finished with homemade cookies.
Strains of “Feliz Navidad,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and other holiday favorites filled the air.
The hospice fundraiser usually is held in December — hence the name — but covid concerns nixed it for the past couple of years, said Rob Firment, Excela director of marketing. Firment emceed the event, along with Erica Shaffer, Excela vice president of post acute care services.
“It’s delightful to be together, since we couldn’t be together for Christmas,” said Excela Health board member Deb Thompson. “This event addresses some really important needs in the community.”
Proceeds benefit hospice operations, including caregiver education and resources, Shaffer said. Hospice staff and volunteers provide end-of-life care and support to patients with terminal illness and their families. Families also are offered 13 months of bereavement care after their loss.
The evening’s program included a video highlighting hospice services on an individual level, telling the story of client Margaret Haines of Greensburg, who passed away May 1 at 99.
“It was on her bucket list to make it to 100,” said her daughter, Denise Elias of Jeannette. “Her birthday would have been July 20. She gave it her best shot.”
Haines was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, having been stationed at the Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia. Her duties included assessing damaged airplanes as they arrived on carriers and compiling lists of parts needed for repairs.
“They liked her work so much that, after the war, she became a subcontractor for the Navy,” said Elias, who was accompanied at the event by her husband, Paul Elias, and daughter and son-in-law, Rachael and Aaron Geer.
Rounding out the event were a photo booth for holiday snapshots, a basket raffle and 50/50 drawing.
On the guest list: Excela CEO John Sphon with Donna; CFO Tom Albanesi with Ann; COO Jeffrey Tiesi; Dr. Dan DiCola, hospice medical director; and Kelly Neubauer, director of palliative hospice; along with Dr. Carol Fox and Jim Fox, Helen Burns, Maryann and Jim Singley, Terri Petrick, Ed DePasquale, Fred Reitano, Bibiana Boerio, Joe Beaman, Tucker Beaman, Ron and Joann Eberhardt, Rep. Jason Silvis, Joan and Jess Stairs, Darlene Delaini, Kaaren and Mark Tintori, Nancy and Ed McKinnon, Dr. Matthew and Terri Sulecki, Mary Mantese, John Dixon, Michele Bononi, David Volpe, Kate May and Heather Rosky.