News

Modesto Threshold Singers Provide Comfort and Ease for Dying Patients

October 18, 2018

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kristin Mostowski | Director of Public Relations, Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

Modesto Threshold Singers Provide Comfort and Ease for Dying Patients

MODESTO, CA (October 18, 2018) – Beautiful songs filled the family gathering areas at the Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House on October 11, 2018 as the newly formed Modesto Threshold Singers made their inaugural performance. Their short, heartfelt songs lifted spirits and drew warm smiles from those that were present.

The Modesto Threshold Singers is one of more than 200 world-wide Threshold Choirs dedicated to creating moments of ease and comfort for patients, families and caregivers facing an illness. The local Modesto Threshold chapter was formed by a group of friends who had experienced a series of loss. It was their journey that inspired them to want to bring comfort and ease to others as they navigate their end of life journey. Songs include words of love, gratitude and peace.

“It was a great honor for our Alexander Cohen Hospice House to be chosen as the venue for the Modesto Threshold Singers first appearance. Their presence and sweet, soft voices were endearing and comforting to our patients and families,” said Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations. “Their talent and grace provides another level of compassion, we feel beyond blessed they will be sharing their gift of song with us on a regular basis.”

The Modesto Threshold Singers welcome new members to their chapter. To learn more, visit //thresholdchoir.org/Modesto or email ModestoThresholdSingers@gmail.com. For more information about the Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House visit hospiceheart.org or call 209.578.6340.

About Community Hospice

Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 2000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, retirement communities and at the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides grief support services to anyone in the community. For more information, please call 209. 578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

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DeSha McLeod appointed to NANOE’s 2018 Board of Governors

July 27, 2018

Washington D.C. – 07/27/2018 –The National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives (NANOE) is pleased to announce the appointment of DeSha McLeod to NANOE’s prestigious 2018 Board of Governors. McLeod has been called upon to refine, improve, and strengthen New Guidelines for Tomorrow’s Nonprofit (Second Edition) a new set of governing guidelines that supercharge nonprofit capacity-building.

NANOE National Director, Tracy Ebarb, shared, “DeSha has joined a working group that will peer-review a new set of capacity-building guidelines rooted in principles of moral agency, stewardship, freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, ethical practice, and transparency that supercharge charity. DeSha is one of society’s guardians who use their expertise to ensure everyone experiences a life worth living.”

NANOE’s Nominations Committee was co-chaired by Bishop Redfern II, Charlotte Berry, Kathleen Robinson & Tracy Ebarb. Nominees were suggested by members of AFP, CFRE, AHP, ASAE, CASE, United Way, National Development Institute, Nonprofit Associations, Industry Associations, and other local and national leaders.

McLeod will be honored alongside fellow Governors March 26-27, 2019 in Charleston, SC at NANOE’s Annual Board of Governors Convention & Expo.

NANOE is our Nation’s only unifying legislative body comprised of Governors nominated from all 50 United States who oversee the codification of guidelines that govern sound charitable practice.

To learn more about NANOE please visit //NANOE.org

209 Magazine: Camp Erin of the Central Valley

May 8, 2018

Healing hearts and soothing souls
By PAUL ROUPE

Death is one of the hardest aspects of life, and it can be especially difficult for children to deal with. Many of the feelings attached to the loss of a family member—isolation, anger, confusion, grief—tend to overwhelm even the most stable person, so when the one trying to process those emotions isn’t mentally developed enough to analyze those feelings, they need support.

That’s where Camp Erin comes in.

Continue reading →

New Medicare Cards Coming This Year

April 3, 2018

Starting this April, Medicare will be issuing new cards that no longer contain Social Security Numbers. The new cards will have new Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) instead of Social Security Number (SSN)-based Health Insurance Claim Numbers (HICNs) to help protect the identities of people with Medicare. The new card won’t change your coverage or benefits. You’ll get more information from Medicare when your new card is mailed. In the state of California, Medicare cards will be mailed in May 2018.

Here’s how you can get ready:
■ Make sure your mailing address is up to date. If your address needs to be
corrected, contact Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount or 1-800-772-1213.
TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

■ Beware of anyone who contacts you about your new Medicare card. We’ll
never ask you to give us personal or private information to get your new
Medicare Number and card.

■ Understand that mailing everyone a new card will take some time. Your card
might arrive at a different time than your friend’s or neighbor’s.

3 Things to Know
1. People who are enrolling in Medicare for the first time will be among the first in the country to receive the new cards.

2. Your new card will automatically come to you. You don’t need to do anything as long as your address is up to date. If you need to update your address, visit your My Social Security account.

3. Once you get your new Medicare card, destroy your old Medicare card and start using your new card right away.

More Information

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Community Hospice Family Tree Decorating Ceremony

December 7, 2017

The 13th Annual Community Hospice Family Tree Decorating Ceremony was a special evening of remembrance and celebration. We were honored to share this beautiful event with our hospice families.

Community Hospice Appoints Two New Associate Medical Directors

September 7, 2017

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

Community Hospice Appoints Two New Associate Medical Directors
Community Hospice Welcomes New Associate Medical Directors

Modesto (September 7, 2017) – Community Hospice, the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice agency serving the Central Valley, announced the appointment of two new Associate Medical Directors, Dr. Ann Marie Truscello and Dr. Richard O. Camacho.

“Community Hospice is pleased that Dr. Ann Marie Truscello and Dr. Richard O. Camacho have accepted the position of Associate Medical Director,” said C. DeSha McLeod, President/CEO of Community Hospice. “Our Board Members, management and staff are thrilled to welcome Dr. Truscello and Dr. Camacho to our organization. Their experience and leadership will be a great asset in helping us provide the best quality care to our patients and their families.”

Dr. Truscello is a Pediatrician at Modesto Pediatrics and will be supporting Community Hospice’s Pediatric Palliative Care Program. Dr. Truscello received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from The University of California, San Diego, CA in 1982. She attended Pennsylvania State University, School of Medicine, graduating with her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1986. She completed an OB/GYN Internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ in 1987 and her Pediatric Residency at the same hospital in 1990. Dr. Truscello is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics.

Dr. Richard O. Camacho is an Internal Medicine hospitalist with AllCare Hospitalist Medical Group. Dr. Camacho received his Bachelor’s Degree from Biola University in La Mirada, CA in 1994. He attended De La Salle University College of Medicine, located in Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines, graduating with his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1999. He completed his Internship and his Internal Medicine Residency at Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland in 2004. Dr. Camacho is licensed by the State of California and Board Certified in Internal Medicine.

For additional information about Community Hospice programs and services, visit hospiceheart.org or call 209.578.6300.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 2000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the sixteen-bed Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information please call (209) 578-6300 or visit www.hospiceheart.org.
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Camp Erin® of the Central Valley Helps Children and Teens Cope with Grief

August 7, 2017

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

Camp Erin® of the Central Valley Helps Children and Teens Cope with Grief
Community Hospice offers free camp for grieving children and teens

August 7, 2017 (Modesto, CA) – Camp Erin of the Central Valley is a free bereavement camp for children and teens ages 6 to 17 that have experienced the death of someone close to them. In 2014, Community Hospice partnered with The Moyer Foundation to launch their inaugural Camp Erin® of the Central Valley. On June 8-11, 2017, 107 campers and over 60 volunteers and staff members from all over the Central Valley made their way to Foothill Horizons Outdoor School for the four-day grief camp. Foothill Horizons served as a new camp site this year due to an overwhelming community response and need for our children and teens in our communities.

“There is a great need for Camp Erin of the Central Valley and we are blessed to have been able to expand our program this year offering camp to more grieving kids in our community,” said Nancy Houghton, Camp Erin of the Central Valley Director. “Applications for camp have doubled since our first Camp Erin of the Central Valley in 2014. We are honored to be able to provide a healing camp experience and feel humbled to have so many dedicated community residents support our program.”

Led by professional grief counselors and trained volunteers, camp offers a fun environment, combined with planned grief activities that allow children a chance to express their feelings, make friendships with peers that have had similar life experiences and honor loved ones that are no longer with them. Camp provides a unique opportunity for youth to increase levels of hope, enhance self-esteem, and especially to learn that they are not alone.

As children grieve very differently than adults, Camp Erin of the Central Valley is designed to specifically address the needs of our youth. Through the generous support of our friends and neighbors in the community, Camp Erin of the Central Valley is offered free to all campers. To learn more about Camp Erin of the Central Valley visit camperincentralvalley.org or call 209.578.6300. For sponsorship opportunities contact the Community Hospice Foundation at 209.578.6370 or give.hospiceheart.org.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 2000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information please call 209.578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

About The Moyer Foundation
The Moyer Foundation is a public, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide comfort, hope and healing to children and families affected by grief and addiction. Founded in 2000 by former MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer and child advocate Karen Phelps Moyer, The Moyer Foundation supports thousands of children and families each year through its free signature programs and services. Camp Erin® is the largest national bereavement program for children and teens grieving the death of someone significant in their lives and Camp Mariposa® is a national addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth impacted by a family member’s substance use disorder. The Moyer Foundation Resource Center extends The Foundation’s continuum of care by providing a curated set of online resources with personalized phone and email support for families experiencing grief, addiction and other related issues. For more information, please visit moyerfoundation.org
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The Great Gatsby Gala was Swinging Community Hospice Foundation 16th Annual Gala was a Success

May 30, 2017

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kristin Mostowski, Director of Public Relations | Community Hospice | Kristin.Mostowski@hospiceheart.org | 209.578.6301

The Great Gatsby Gala was Swinging
Community Hospice Foundation 16th Annual Gala was a Success

Modesto (May 30, 2017)–On May 20, 2017 over 600 community members gathered at the home of Agnes Timmerman in Oakdale for the 16th Annual Community Hospice Foundation Great Gatsby Gala. Guests enjoyed Live and Silent Auctions, a raffle, appetizers by Chef Michael Midgley, dinner by Greens and dancing to Modesto’s Third Party Band.

Several community members were recognized for their dedicated service and support in advancing the organization’s mission. Mr. Kenny and Pam Phillips alongside Mr. Ron and Pam Ridenour were awarded the John and June Rogers Philanthropic Award. The Phillips and the Ridenours embody the heart of hospice by giving and raising funds to assure that the mission of Community Hospice continues, regardless of the patient’s or family’s ability to pay. The Julio and Aileen Gallo Leadership Award was awarded to Mr. Jon Tremayne for his passionate commitment and enthusiastic leadership in guiding Community Hospice Foundation. The Harold A. Peterson, III Heart of Hospice Award was presented to Friends of Community Hospice member, Mrs. Sally Cofer-Lindberg for her long-standing commitment to the mission of Community Hospice.

More than $70,000 was raised during the Camp Erin of the Central Valley cash for the cause. Past camper Luke joined us and graciously shared his camp experience.

Community Hospice Foundation Executive Director, Monica Ojcius said, “We are thrilled with the outcome of the gala knowing the funds raised will be put to work immediately helping terminally ill patients and their families. It is truly humbling that so many people from our community joined us in support of the Community Hospice mission. We live in such a generous community and the dedication of our supporters is simply amazing. Community Hospice would not be able to provide the service and programs offered without their gifts and we are very grateful.”

The Great Gatsby Gala was a great success raising more than $300,000 to support the patients, families and programs of Community Hospice.

About Community Hospice Foundation
Community Hospice Foundation is a community-based nonprofit, raising awareness and funds to support the patients and families of Community Hospice.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 2000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, please call (209) 578-6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.
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