Sponsors Invited To Support

Annual Regional Hospice Breakfast Fundraiser

By Nancy K. Crevier

It was curiosity about what hospice was and how they could be of help that led Marilyn Alexander and B.J. Geerer to explore the end of life program that offers comfort and care to terminally ill patients and their families. What they discovered inspired them to initiate a Newtown chapter of Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut. Realizing that the best way they could support this not-for-profit agency was by offering their fundraising skills, Ms Alexander and Ms Geerer and the half dozen women who made up the first Newtown chapter committee dabbled in a variety of fundraisers for Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut before settling on the moneymaker that has served them well for the last 17 years, the annual volunteer recognition breakfast fundraiser.

Held each spring at The Fireside Inn in Newtown, the breakfast offered a chance for the agency and townspeople to honor the many local volunteer caregivers, and to raise money to support the agency. The first year, nearly $5,000 was raised for Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, and for the next ten years that Ms Alexander and Ms Geerer chaired the breakfast fundraiser, they watched the affair grow into the popular event it is today. In 2000, they passed the torch to Janet Hovious and Marg Studley, who have worked with equal diligence for the success of the special breakfast. Last year, the Newtown Chapter netted $18,719. The group does not set a fundraising goal.

“We are grateful for whatever we get,” said Ms Studley, and Ms Alexander added, “It’s an affair that people enjoy going out to. It’s a love bomb. Everybody who goes thoroughly enjoys themselves.”

It was Ms Alexander’s late husband, Paul, who coined the phrase found on the front cover of every program for the last several years, “It’s a good time for a great cause.”

The great cause ran into a bit of a snag this time around, though. Two weeks after last year’s breakfast, The Fireside Inn, under new ownership, abruptly became a hole in the ground on the side of Route 25 in anticipation of future building.

“We didn’t really worry about it so much, at first,” said Ms Hovious, but by the time late winter rolled around, the co-chairs were becoming concerned about where the popular breakfast would be held. Having grown from a reception hosting 240 people in 1990 to nearly 350 in 2006, the women realized that not many nearby halls had facilities to accommodate them.

“We wanted to keep the breakfast as close to Newtown as possible, because this is where our chapter is and because we have so much wonderful, local support,” Ms Hovious said. After scouting out several places, Ms Studley and Ms Hovious are pleased to announce that the 2007 Newtown Chapter Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut breakfast recognizing volunteers will be held at The Waterview, just one mile over the Newtown line on Route 34 in Monroe.

“The Waterview provides even more room than we need, so we are hoping to have a larger crowd this year,” said Ms Hovious.

The Thursday, June 14, breakfast is open to anyone who wants to attend, said Ms Studley, and much of the money they raise for Regional Hospice comes from table sponsorship.

“A sponsor buys a table for $100,” she explained, “which buys eight seats. So a sponsor can buy a table and invite seven guests.” The guests are encouraged to donate “tips” to their waiter that become donations to the agency. This year for the first time, tables of 12 are available for sponsorship, as well, at an additional cost of $12 per person for each of the additional four guests. Sponsors have been loyal to the effort over the years, said Ms Studley, with 90 percent of sponsors being repeats from the previous years.

“We are offering a new opportunity this year, as well,” said Ms Hovious. To celebrate the new venue, the Newtown chapter is opening up sponsorship to corporations and businesses. Corporations and businesses are invited to buy a table to seat 12 for $500.

“Tables for ‘walk-ins’ are always available, too. For $10 per person, anyone can be a part of this yearly event,” said Ms Studley. It is also possible to sponsor a table even if the benefactor is unable to attend the breakfast. “Recognition is always given to those who sponsor tables, whether they can attend or not,” said Ms Alexander.

Beginning with Dr Robert Kloss in 1990, the Newtown Chapter Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut breakfast has always featured a speaker. “These are people who offer positive insight into hospice,” Ms Alexander said, and those who regularly attend the annual event always look forward to the speaker. This year’s speaker will be announced in early June, she said.

Guests are encouraged to arrive no later than 7:45 am for the 8 am breakfast, said Ms Hovious. “Rev Lee Moore, from Newtown Congregational Church, will offer the invocation at 8 am and breakfast will be served at that time. Our speaker is scheduled for 8:25 am,” Ms Hovious said. The event is tightly structured in order to accommodate those who must continue on to work and other obligations. “We finish up by 9 am,” she said.

Local residents and businesses have generously donated prizes for the raffle held during the morning meal, Ms Studley said. Tickets for the raffle will be on sale that morning at the door.

“It’s a great, townwide event and such a warm feeling when you walk into the room. We are all eagerly anticipating June 14 and looking forward to making it happen in this new location,” Ms Hovious said.

To sponsor a table, call Marg Studley at 426-3651 or Janet Hovious at 270-1960.