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

Community Hospice Joins the Global #GivingTuesday Movement

MODESTO, CA (November 7, 2017) – Community Hospice, has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Occurring this year on November 28, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the US) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

Community Hospice joined #GivingTuesday to spread awareness of their mission of providing compassion and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and their families, regardless of ability to pay and hopes to inspire others to volunteer their time, talent, and/or treasure to ensure that Community Hospice is able to fulfill the needs of the community.

“Each year, the global impact of #GivingTuesday truly inspires me,” says the Director of the Community Hospice Foundation, Monica Ojcius. “It is an honor to bring this international philanthropic event to our community. What better a way to embrace the season of giving than to give back to a nonprofit that serves your friends, neighbors and family?”

For more information about supporting Community Hospice, please visit 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 #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. This year, #GivingTuesday falls on November 28. #GivingTuesday harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners
to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. It inspires people to take collective action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they believe in, and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts, and that they mean even more when we give together.

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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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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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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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