As the organization continues to see an increased need, Director of Development Heather Harrison said there are several ways community members can support Hope Hospice’s mission.
The organization was founded in 1984 by a group of community members and today offers hospice and palliative care for individuals living with a chronic illness as well as grief support groups, grief counseling and end-of-life care for Veterans.
Harrison said there’s a common misconception that individuals receiving hospice care at no cost haven’t worked for it, but in reality, many individuals don’t fit the parameters of Medicare benefits due to their age or the specifics of their private insurance plans, leaving them without financial support.
“Hope Hospice never sends a bill to families following the passing of their loved one on the Community Assistance Program, and we turn no one away who qualifies for services,” Harrison said.
Donating to Hope Hospice allows individuals to receive the medical care they need while also being treated with dignity and respect at the end of their lives.
Because of this, Harrison said many individuals donate to the organization in memory of a friend or family member as a way to thank Hope Hospice for providing care when they needed it.
Hope Hospice also relies on community support to be able to provide grief counseling to individuals following the death of a loved one. All counselors at Hope Hospice’s Hampel-Wuest Grief & Hope Center are licensed professional counselors trained in grief support.
“Hiring licensed professional counselors is not a requirement of Medicare for bereavement support following hospice care, but Hope Hospice chose to offer those professional services to provide the best possible care for the community,” Harrison said. “We also offer professional grief support to anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a significant person; they need not have received hospice care.”
The organization has an additional program—Camp HavenHeart—a unique grief camp with a blend of therapeutic interventions with recreation and fun, three times a year.
“With $100 you can make a massive difference and a meaningful impact in the life of a child, because $100 will send a child to Camp HavenHeart or to a grief support therapy session,” Harrison said. “The way children and teens grieve and express their grief will vary, which is why it is so important for them to have a safe environment to share their experiences. Regardless of the type of loss, the child may experience feelings of emptiness, anger, confusion, desertion, and insecurity. Left unresolved, behaviors worsen and can manifest as crime, substance abuse, suicide, high divorce rates, and domestic violence. The cost of unresolved grief on our society, our families, and our workplaces is immense.”
In addition to donating monetarily, individuals can volunteer their time or shop at Hope Hospice’s Thrift Shop. The thrift shop is located at 613 North Walnut Ave., New Braunfels, and is open Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations are accepted in a drive through drop off Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Hope Hospice’s Thrift Shop is currently accepting the following items:
- Clothing
- Toys
- Books
- Flat-screen televisions
- Housewares
- Small furniture
- Countertop kitchen appliances
- Wheelchairs
- Walkers
- Crutches
- Canes
“This mission is just so special because we offer support at such a stressful time for a person who is ill and for those caring for them,” Harrison said. “What Hope Hospice does is help, and to me, it is a really noble service that hospices across the world provide. ... and one that Hope Hospice has led in the greater New Braunfels area for 40 years.”
To participate in Hope Hospice’s mission with a financial gift, go here.
The above story was produced by Multi-platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
