Author: David Lee

Branden Farnham, a senior at Starpoint High School and member of Cambria Boy Scout Troop #8, completed his Eagle project by building two new planter boxes for the entrance at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport. He is now a candidate to receive his Eagle rank, the highest achievement in Boy Scouts, in the coming months.

Branden, one of eight Boy Scouts in Troop #8 pursuing the Eagle rank, also made a new wooden garbage can holder for the entrance. Thank you to Boka Farms, Scirto’s Awards & Gifts and Warren Hastings for their support and contributions toward Branden’s project.

Pictured below with Branden is Joyce Lovetro, Advancement Chairperson with Cambria Boy Scout Troop #8, who also served as his Eagle Project Coach during her 33rd year of service to the troop.

The weather was beautiful on Saturday, Oct. 2 for the 10th annual Mighty Niagara Half Marathon and Hospice Dash 5K.

It was a great turnout from the community. Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, volunteered and cheered during both races through Lewiston and Youngstown!

More than 1,000 runners turned out to support the Niagara Hospice mission of providing comprehensive care and personalized support to Niagara County patients, families and caregivers to improve their quality of life during a terminal illness. Click here to see the results and photos.

On Wednesday, Sept. 29, the Niagara Hospice Bereavement Department presented a Remembrance Celebration at the Transit Drive-In to nearly 200 family members. Thank you to Rick Cohen, Transit Drive-In owner, and his staff for hosting this community event. For more information on bereavement services, click here.

Niagara Hospice awarded three local students with $1,000 scholarships in recognition of their academic achievements and ability to make a difference in their communities.

    “We are pleased to continue our tradition of providing scholarship funds to support the academic advancement of local college students whose parents work with our affiliated nonprofit organizations,” said John Lomeo, President and CEO of Niagara Hospice. “We were very impressed with the achievements of this year’s five scholarship recipients, and we wish them lasting success as they work toward their degrees.”

   The Making a Difference Scholarship was awarded to Kari Claycomb, Matthew O’Donnell and Lisa Boisvert. This scholarship is presented to students who represent outstanding academic, technical or vocational potential and demonstrate dedicated community service and a high degree of personal accomplishment. 

    The scholarship committee evaluated all applicants on academic record, class rank, leadership record, employment performance, community services and volunteer activities, and personal achievements.

The Lockport Rotary Club presented a grant to Niagara Hospice at its August 3 member luncheon at the Dale Association in downtown Lockport.

The grant funded the purchase of two telehealth and remote patient monitoring kits.

The telehealth kits will help Niagara Hospice monitor and expedite a response when needed for home care patients living in Lockport.

[Pictured from left to right: Lockport Rotary Club President Tracy Farrell, Janet Ligammari, RN, Director of Hospice Facility Services and Danielle Burngasser, RN, BSN, Vice President of Hospice Clinical Operations.]

The Niagara hospice House residential unit expansion was featured in the Hospice News national website on June 15. Click here to read the story.

Six new suites at Lockport campus will care for more Niagara County families

Support the Expansion

The Niagara Hospice Board of Directors announced on June 14 that it received approval from the New York State Department of Health to add six residential patient suites to the Niagara Hospice House at 4675 Sunset Drive in Lockport.

The $2 million facility project will expand Hospice House to a total of 16 residential suites. The organization’s capital campaign is now underway to fund the expansion.  

Niagara Hospice House opened in June 2007 as a state-of-the-art facility that has been the model of hospice facilities throughout the country.

“We are forever grateful to the community for supporting the construction of Hospice House in 2007 to address the growing needs of families when they face difficult times with a loved one,” said Liam O’Mahony, Director of Communications. “As we look forward to completing this much-needed expansion, the clinical staff is already planning for the day when we can admit six new patients. We invite organizations and individuals to join us in contributing to the campaign. Through generous community support, we can ensure more new patients and their families will receive the highest quality of care and support. Every gift goes a long way to enhancing quality of life for families as they seek to maximize precious time together with loved ones during the last stage of their life.” 

To give to the capital campaign to expand the Niagara Hospice House residential wing, organizations and individuals can visit NiagaraHospice.org/ExpandHospiceHouse to make secure online donations or call 716-280-0789.