Volume 10, Issue 1

March 2015

Come to the 11th Annual Black and White Ball! Inside this issue: Black and White Ball 1 Golf Tournament

2

Director’s Message

3

Volunteer Spotlight

4

Plant Sale

6

Geranium Pre-Sale Order Form

6

Words of Gratitude

7

Wish List

7

Shop For A Cause! Please visit our Bidding for Good website to see over 150 items that you can place a bid on. www.BiddingForGood.com/ shepherdhome

On Saturday, April 25 the Penfield community will come together with the Shepherd Home staff and volunteers to celebrate the 11th Annual Black and White Ball at Penfield Country Club. This annual gathering is Shepherd Home’s largest fundraiser and has become a favorite yearly event for many. We are pleased to announce that the former chairman of the Shepherd Board of Directors, Channing Philbrick, and his wife, Marie, will serve as honorary chairs of the Ball year. Returning Masters of Ceremony Norma Holland of 13WHAM-TV News and her sister, Andrea Holland of Holland Communications, will be joined by auctioneer Mike Bruce to guide our guests through the evenings festivities.

We would not be able to complete this endeavor without the incredible generosity of our many sponsors. This year’s sponsors include:  Advantage Federal Credit Union  Baker Commodities  Council Rock Wealth Advisory Group  Erb Harzynski Tax and Investment Group  Jennings Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home  The Maplewood Nursing & Rehabilitation  Morganstern DeVoesick Attorneys

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. We will then serve dinner followed by our evenings program and live auction. The night will wrap up with live entertainment and a coffee/cordial and dessert hour. See Spring Gala, page 2

Page 2

Shepherd Home Sharings

Spring Gala - continued Upwards of 10 items, including jewelry, getaways, and home appliances will be available to bid on during the auction. I am a recipient of unconditional love, I am a volunteer. - Shanterra McBride

“We enjoy watching our friends outbid each other during the auction,” says supporter, Peg Rubley. “My husband and I have attended several of the Shepherd Homes galas over the years and always have a great time. Last year’s was no exception. The food was delicious and Norma and Andrea Holland’s humor made the evening especially entertaining. We are pleased there’s such a fun opportunity to support this special ministry!”

Black and White Ball Chair, Tracy Dovi, gets a lot of positive feedback from attendees. “This event always proves to be a fun and rewarding evening. Gala night is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with many of our Shepherd Home friends. It’s heart-warming to see the outpouring of support. Come join us, you are sure to enjoy yourself,” she says. Please consider joining us for an evening of fun and help us to continue raising funds to care for our residents. For more information or to be added to our mailing list please contact Tracy at 381-0890

Summer Golf Tournament On July 27, the Penfield Business Association will again hold its annual golf tournament to benefit Shepherd Home. This year’s returning title sponsor will be Family First Federal Credit Union. Returning as our dinner sponsor is Don’s Original Restaurant & Pub. Lunch sponsors will be MetLife and Penfield Financial Group. Schedule of Events 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Registration Practice Range Buffet Lunch 12:30 pm Shotgun Start 5:30 pm Dinner Live Auction Winners Announced For more information please call Tracy at 381-0890.

Shepherd Home Sharings

Page 3

Director’s Message 2015 has brought some changes to Shepherd Home. At the end of last year we said good-bye to two people who have made significant contributions to our ministry. Lisa Vargish MD, our Medical Advisor, took a position with URMC and Channing Philbrick, Shepherd Home Board Chair, retired after 11 years of devoted service. We are grateful to Lisa and Chan and wish them well in the years ahead! We are fortunate that Aaron Olden MD, FACP has graciously agreed to be our Medical Advisor. He is the Medical Director of Palliative Care for Lifetime Care Home Health Care & Hospice. Aaron attended medical school at the University of Buffalo and completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Palliative Care at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital. He was the chief medical resident and obtained his Master’s degree in clinical investigation after formal clinical training. Aaron has published papers in the Journal of Palliative Medicine and Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, and coauthored the Primer of Palliative Care with Dr. Timothy Quill. He was recently elected as a Fel-

low of the American College of Physicians. (FACP). In his “free time” Aaron enjoys practicing and instructing yoga, hiking and spending time with his partner and two yellow Labradors. He is honored to be a part of the Shepherd Home community and we are blessed to be associated with him. Lizz Ortolani LMSW assumed the position of Chair of the Shepherd Home Board of Directors on January 1st after serving for two years as a board member. Lizz is an associate with Pullano and Co., an employee benefits firm in Pittsford. She is a licensed life, accident, and health insurance agent and is also certified for AHIP (Medicare) and NYS Marketplace (Affordable Care Act). Lizz transitioned into benefits planning after working 15 years in healthcare as a licensed master social worker. She worked in various healthcare settings, including hospital, ambulatory care and nonprofit organizations. Practice areas included medical/ surgical care, internal medicine, hospice, traumatic brain injury and infectious disease. She held positions that included direct patient care as well as healthcare administration.

She is also an adjunct instructor in the social work programs at SUNY Brockport and Nazareth College. Her board experience includes officer positions at the Hickok Center for Brain Injury, National Assn. of Social WorkersNYS Chapter and Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS. Joining the Shepherd Home Board has been a return to her clinical roots working in end of life care. Lizz says she’s impressed with the Penfield community’s generosity in supporting Shepherd Home and hopes to build upon the successes of the founders and previous boards. She plans to follow the same organizational direction, enabling the staff and volunteers to provide compassionate care and support to residents and their families. Lizz has already made significant contributions to our ministry. Under her leadership we look forward to continuing to provide excellent end of life care to the community.

Executive Director Betsy Inglis

Save the Date! On November 15th, Shepherd Home will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. More info to come!

Page 4

Shepherd Home Sharings

Volunteer Spotlight - 10th Anniversary

Father Kevin Murphy

“I could not believe how many people came to that first meeting.”

As we prepare to visor, Channing Philcelebrate our 10th brick, who was supportAnniversary in Noive to the idea. I’m sorry vember, we are to say that I don’t regrateful to those member all those who “dreamers” who had came to the first meeta vision of a home ings, but Marlene Riley, for the dying in PenRay Wilcox, Ann field and worked McKenna, Mary Beth tirelessly to achieve Ransom, Joan Benati it. Father Kevin and Judy Roth come to Murphy and Revermind. Breaking ground in April of 2005 end Barbara Wolin “I moved from St. Joe’s in 2004 and new share some of their memories from those leaders from the community emerged and exciting first days. moved the process forward. I have heard so _______________ many positive comments about Shepherd Home and the excellent work being done Father Kevin Murphy: there. I wish all of you continued blessings “In the late 1990’s I was moved by our as you celebrate your 10th Anniversary!” family’s experience at Sunset House in _______________ Irondequoit. My aunt spent the last few days of her life there in comfort, surroundRev. Barbara Wolin: ed by loving volunteers. Having a two-bed “I am deeply honored to be asked to submit home to provide end of life care in a home setting, at no expense to the patient or their my thoughts about the years prior to the opening of Shepherd Home. It’s difficult to family, seemed like something Penfield know where to begin to tell the story of the should explore. most incredible journey in my life while “I raised the idea with our parish staff at St. serving as Chair, and later Co-Chair of the Joseph’s and they encouraged me to pursue Shepherd Home Board. I attended a meetit. I could not believe how many people ing of Penfield residents, chaired by Ray came to that first meeting. We filled the Wilcox, who were working on attaining learning center in the school with about 40 their dream of a Penfield comfort care people. There was a lot of interest and the home. Their enthusiasm convinced me to enthusiasm was evident. join the committee and after about a year, I was elected to serve as co-chair with Ray. “Kathie Quinlan, director and founder of The other members at the time were Joan Isaiah House (Corpus Christi parish), Benati, RN, BSN, Joan Poore, Kathy Avershared her experiences with the group. She ill, Chris Doyle and Betty Quinn. Brian gave us encouragement, answered quesHeppard, MD, Cathy Wiedemer and Anna tions and shared stories of peace and comBundschuh joined in 2003. fort that the dying and their families experience in comfort care. Kathie also gave us “We struggled to get the project off the insight to the hurdles and challenges ahead ground. In addition to the challenge of findin starting a comfort care home. We would ing funding, we were torn as to whether to need at least 150 volunteers and financial build a home or to renovate an existing support. I spoke with Penfield Town Super- house.

Shepherd Home Sharings

Page 5

Volunteer Spotlight - 10th Anniversary “When Reverend Vicki Prescott and the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation offered us land behind the church we realized our location had been found! The church offered to lease us the land for fifty years for one dollar and then renewable for another fifty. “On July 12, 2004, Church Warden, Gary Omphroy signed the lease. Now we were committed and had to work hard to get everything in place to build the home. In the midst of all that was occurring, I felt we needed another strong member on the board and who could be a better choice than Chan Philbrick, who had just retired as Supervisor of the Town of Penfield. Thanks be to God, Chan accepted and eventually became Co-Chair and served until December 31, 2014. He sent letters to several contractors and Jim Barbato of Pridemark Homes, agreed to take on the challenge of building the home. “I took off a year from work so I could meet each morning with Jim during the construction of the home which began in April of 2005. I was on the premises daily, meeting all the volunteers who cleared the land, poured the cellar, framed, sided, dry walled and installed utilities. John Betlem Heating and Cooling generously donated the heating and AC. “As completion of the home was nearing, Marie Philbrick and I began furniture shopping. We went from store to store, telling the story of Shepherd Home, and the response was overwhelming.

hold fundraising events and eventually decided to plan a gala. In April, 2005, we held our Spring Gala at Penfield Country Club, chaired by Betty Quinn, and what a success it was! We raised close to $30,000 and the event generated a lot of much needed publicity in the community. The Spring Gala, now known as the Black and White Ball, continues to be a successful and enjoyable social event on the Shepherd Home calendar. “In June, 2005, the home was just about completed and it was time to begin interviewing candidates to staff the home. The Board chose Betsy Inglis as Executive Director, who remains in that position to this day. If you have any connection with Shepherd Home you will agree that she has done an outstanding job, along with the nurses and volunteers, in creating and maintaining this gentle ministry. “I am grateful to God for the opportunity to have served with so many wonderful board members and having met so many generous people in the community. Each one played a vital role in fulfilling this dream with their time and treasure. Shepherd Home has cared for over 220 terminally ill individuals who have spent their final days in comfort and dignity. God’s Blessing on all of you!

Shepherd Home today.

“During construction, we continued to

“Always follow your dreams. Don’t give up -- believe - and one day it will be a reality! For me, participating in the building of Shepherd Home was a journey to behold!”

Rev. Barbara Wolin

“I took a year off from work so I could meet each morning with Jim during the construction of the home.”

Page 6

Shepherd Home Sharings

Ablaze in Color for Plant Sale As impossible as it seems with all the snow this past winter, we here at Shepherd Home are thinking of spring and flowers! Please remember Shepherd Home during the United Way spring drive

Some of the varieties will be:

Our annual plant sale will be on the following dates and times: 

Friday, May 15th 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.



Saturday, May 16th 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.



Sunday, May 17th 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Our grounds will be ablaze with the colors of summer! The usual array of perennials and colorful annuals will be available as well as our HUGE inventory of hanging baskets! Paul Anderson, Lee Vester, and their committee are pleased to provide such a vast array of annuals for selection.



Ageratum



Begonias



Coleus – various colors



Dianthus



Impatiens – various colors



Marigolds – various colors



Pansies



Viola



Snapdragon – various colors



Petunia – waves, reg./all colors



Salvia



Geraniums – various colors



Gerbera Daisy

If you would like to join the committee or to donate some perennials please call Shepherd Home at 381-0890.

2015 Plant Sale Pre-Order Form Geraniums

$10.00 per six-pack of one color _____ red at $10.00 per six-pack _____ pink (fuchsia) at $10.00 per six-pack _____ white at $10.00 per six-pack

Name: ___________________________________

Phone: ______________________

Total amount of order: $ ____________

Email: ______________________

***Please make checks payable to: Shepherd Home Return form and payment to Shepherd Home 1959 Five Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY 14526

Shepherd Home Sharings

Page 7

Words of Gratitude To our Shepherd Home friends, Many thanks to the staff and the volunteers for the tender loving care all of you gave to my mother, Edith, during her brief stay with you. At the end of the first day with you she said, “I feel as though I’ve died and am already in heaven.” You were such a comfort to her as well as to all of our family, knowing she was in such capable hands. Megan, Edith’s daughter To the staff and volunteers, I want you to know I greatly appreciate all the loving care you gave to my dear friend, Angela. Thank you for all you did for her family as well; it meant so much to all of us. Kim, Angela’s friend Dear Shepherd Home staff and volunteers, Our dear friend, Don, was fortunate to spend the last months of his life at Shepherd Home. He always expressed how lovingly cared for he was and it made his passing a blessing for him and all those close to him. We visited him daily and always found him happy, thankful, and enjoying conversations with the loving volunteers. The Shepherd Home was truly a home with a large family that we grew to know and love. Each of you is a magnificent example of service to our community. Madelyn and Robert, Don’s friends

  

We always need paper towels, postage stamps, dishwasher detergent, baby wipes, hand soap and liquid dish soap.

Shepherd Home has an energy-efficient washer that specifically requires “HE” (high efficiency) detergent. Gift cards (Wegman's, Tops, Staples, Walmart, Target etc.) are always greatly appreciated for supplies! THANKS!

Shepherd Home

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID ROCHESTER, NY PERMIT #1582

P.O. Box 33 1959 Five Mile Line Road Penfield, NY 14526

nd n a rg! o i t rip e.o bsc dhom u s r r you hephe e t a ts upd ons a n i a t u c na Yo ke do ma

Shepherd Home Our Mission Rooted in faith and love, we provide comfort and compassionate care to members of our community with terminal illnesses, in a way that cherishes the dignity of each individual and meets his or her physical, emotional and spiritual needs. We provide support to families and friends and foster community acceptance that dying is an integral part of living.

Phone (585) 381-0890

E-mail [email protected]

Web www.shepherdhome.org