To volunteer with The Children’s Program at Hospice Atlanta Center, go to www.vnhs.org
Over 800 families got an exclusive experience to Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park on Sunday for the 23rd annual BIG-TO-DO Fundraiser that benefitted the Children’s Program at the Hospice Atlanta Center.
The day involved two hours of snow-tubing, snowmen and igloo building, making s’mores and enjoying a fun day while supporting the medical care program that provides children and families who are coping with a diagnosis of a terminal illness in their home.
Jerry and Sara Chappell’s daughter, Nora, was diagnosed with Trisomy 13. She has outlived her seven-day prognosis and is currently under care with The Children’s Program.
“Our story is different from most first-time parents’,” said Sara. “When we learned that Nora had to be in hospice, it was overwhelming and through the program, we not only have such a great resource, but we get to really enjoy time with Nora.” Nora also celebrated her first birthday on Sunday.
The BIG-TO-DO raised over $100,000 for The Children’s Program that will help meet costs that are not otherwise covered by insurance or Medicaid. Currently, there are 10 children in the program.
“Our responsibility is not only to the children, but we also take care of the family,” said Lanise Shortell, pediatric clinical care specialist at The Children’s Program. “The money raised really helps us provide for the whole unit because this is a hard place to be in and we want to do everything possible to help the parents and children enjoy each other and their time together.”
To fulfill their work with the families, The Children’s Program also needs volunteers that to help families and the facilities. Whether it is knitting blankets, making gift bags, or helping with the administrative work at the office, “We are never short of volunteers and always rely on the community’s help to make our families feel as comfortable as possible,” said Shortell. Volunteers can also give back to Camp Stars, a family bereavement camp hosted at Camp Twin Lakes.
Hospice Atlanta Center, located in Buckhead, is a 36-bed facility making it the largest in the state.
“They are serving such an important part of life,” said Jerry Chappell. “We don’t know where we would be without their support. They have become like our family.”
In other news: Steve Keadle, a Thomaston, Ga. businessman, and his wife, Sandra, donated $800,000 to Annandale Village. The funds will help launch the second phase of its Help for Today – Hope for Tomorrow capital campaign to expand services for people with developmental disabilities and those that have experienced a traumatic brain injury. The gift will help to pay for the construction of a new transitional care facility to meet the unique medical and supportive needs of aging adults with developmental disabilities.
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