Thanks to all Wings of Hope supporters

To the Editor:

New Milford VNA & Hospice wishes to thank all who came together to make our First Annual Wings of Hope fundraiser a great success. Wings of Hope was a special day, dedicated to remembering the spirit and “wings” of our loved ones who have died. Almost 300 people attended in a spirit of community, remembrance, happiness, sadness, and thanksgiving as we thought of those gone before us.

Heartfelt thanks to those who participated – Catherine Vlasto, our wonderful Hospice social worker and Bereavement Counselor, Reverend Chris Sakis, our Hospice Chaplain, Erin Walsh, our lovely young singer, Patrick Maguire, our bagpiper who contributes his talents to so many New Milford events, Wanda Kovacs and Georgette Megyeri, Hospice family members who spoke so lovingly about their gratitude for the expert and loving care given to their mothers by our team, and all of our “Worker Bee” volunteers who partnered so beautifully with the 300 monarch butterflies that were released that afternoon in the Harrybrooke Park Memorial Garden.

It was a beautiful afternoon at Harrybrooke Park, which is a very special place to New Milford VNA & Hospice. The creator and owner of Harrybrooke, Frank Harden, was a generous benefactor of our agency. In memory of his wife who was cared for by our nurses and aides, Mr. Harden bequeathed a large sum in his will to facilitate the building of our first permanent office on Route 202, where we are still headquartered. Special thanks to the welcoming and helpful staff of Harrybrooke. We look forward to hosting the Second Annual Wings of Hope there next year.

Wings of Hope has replaced our former fundraiser, Tree of Life, which for twenty-one years not only helped our community remember loved ones but also raised funds for nonreimbursable Hospice services and programs. We will still be holding our 34th Annual Interfaith Remembrance Service on Sunday, November 19 at 4 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church on the Green. All community members are invited to attend this beautiful afternoon of prayer, song and remembrance, followed by a reception.

We at New Milford VNA are honored to serve the terminally ill patients in our care, their family members and caregivers. Thank you again to all who took part in “Wings of Hope.”

— Deborah Matta, Director of Special Events, New Milford VNA & Hospice