Hospice ornament fundraiser begins

On September 2, Hospice of Scotland County kicked off its annual Christmas fundraiser, where their beautiful ornaments serve as a beacon of hope and support for those in our community who are dealing with terminal illness or who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one.

“Medicare and insurance plans cover a significant portion of hospice care expenses, but there are still gaps that need to be filled,” explained Hospice of Scotland County volunteer coordinator Bunny Hasty. “Support from our generous community helps to bridge this financial gap, allowing Hospice of Scotland County to provide additional services and support that go beyond what insurance can cover. Our ornaments not only act as a fundraising opportunity, but they symbolically serve as a reminder of our mission.”

This year, the organization has chosen a cross as its symbol of compassion and love, providing a touching way for individuals to honor and remember their loved ones. What makes this year's fundraiser even more special is that for the first time, there will be two unique styles to choose from - a white finish or an antique silver finish. Both variations of the 4-inch by 3-inch poly resin ornaments come elegantly packaged in satin-lined boxes. The addition of these distinct styles allows donors to select an ornament that resonates with their personal taste and represents their message of remembrance.

“We knew we wanted a cross as this year’s symbol, but had a difficult time deciding on a color,” Hasty explained. “Once we had it down to two options and had to begin weighing in factors such as quantity, availability and time, we just decided to go with both options and let the donors decide which one they would like – or they can get one of each.”

These beautifully crafted ornaments are more than just decorations; they are a symbol of support for end-of-life care in the community. Priced at $10 each, every purchase goes towards supporting families during their most challenging times. The funds raised through this initiative play a vital role in ensuring that quality end-of-life and bereavement care are accessible to those when it’s need it most.

Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated volunteers led by Hasty, has put in countless hours to ensure that each ornament is meticulously prepared and packaged with care. From the intricate bows to the delicate embellishments, every detail is a labor of love from these committed individuals. The 1,250 hand-packaged ornaments are a testament to the dedication and hard work of these volunteers, who pour their hearts into this initiative.

“All of our proceeds go to serve our patients, so the added cost of personizing these ornaments at the manufacturing level is just not possible since it would take money away from patients,” shared Hasty. “In order to add a meaningful and symbolic element without the expense, over 20 volunteers dedicated several hours of their summer to decorate these ornaments by hand. The unwavering support of our amazing volunteer team never ceases to amaze me and we could not do what we do without them.”

The ornaments are available for purchase at the Hospice of Scotland County office located at 610 Lauchwood Drive. For those who prefer to purchase by phone, they can simply call 910-276-7176 to secure their ornament.