When Phil Hubbell discovered that the nurses at his hometown Hospice Buffalo (N.Y.) were regularly reaching into their own wallets to support the non-medical needs of their patients, he knew he had to do something.

Phil’s wife, Jayne, spent the final 29 days of her life at the hospice’s inpatient unit in 2009. After that experience, the retired businessman recognized that he had the means and the motivation to make a difference for others.

“Jayne was the angel of our family and the hospice did such wonderful things for us,” Phil remembered. “When I started looking for charitable opportunities, this seemed like the right fit.”

With $25,000 in initial funding, Hubbell set up what has become the Hospice Angels Fund at Hospice Buffalo. The money is used to support quality of life initiatives for patients and their loved ones. Hubbell’s annual gift has since increased and is now matched by the hospice’s own fund-raising activities.

With its success at hospice, Hubbell launched Angel Funds at a Buffalo cancer research institute and the local Boys and Girls Clubs. To Tidewell Hospice’s benefit, his generosity hasn’t stopped there. As a part-time Siesta Key resident, Phil decided earlier this year to donate $25,000 to begin a similar program at Tidewell.

“I know that the needs are out there. There’s no one better than the nurses and staff at Tidewell to be able to identify those needs so that we can help,”

Hubbell said.His gift has

been added as an additional c o m p o n e n t of the existing

Harold and Evelyn R. Davis Humanitarian Fund, which helps patients with limited financial means pay for necessities of daily living. With these additional funds, we can also focus on less practical expenses, enriching the lives of patients and their families by covering the costs of celebratory events, entertainment and other activities that bring laughter and cheer.

Fall/Winter 2014

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“I want you to have this very special gift that you can keep forever and pass down if you have a daughter. It is meant to remind you of me whenever you see it or wear it.”

Fund Helps Make Special Wishes Come True

“I love you forever and ever.”

A note from Denise . . . If you are like me, at this time of year, I am always dismayed when retail outlets start rushing through the season and begin transitioning summer fun and back-to-school time with trees, brightly colored glass balls, multi-colored lights, “jolly” men

in red suits and the like. Growing up in the north, I used to anticipate this change of seasons and the upcoming holidays through the arrival of cooler nights and a nip in the air. Although in Florida, foretelling the change of seasons is more difficult to perceive.

However, one thing fall does bring, even in the temperate climate of Florida, is the season of thanksgiving. And the season of thanksgiving carries with it an opportunity to proclaim those things for which we are most grateful.

At Tidewell Hospice, we are thankful for so much. We are grateful for the patients and families who trust us to come into their life at such a vulnerable time to help them maintain dignity, freedom and control. We are grateful for our volunteers, who selflessly devote themselves to our mission and make so much more possible with their helping hand. And, we are grateful

for you, our donors and friends. The collective impact of your remarkable generosity, and the generosity of those who came before you, is immense. Every day, we are blessed to receive gifts from a diverse group of people, organizations, corporations and foundations, supporting a wide array of patient care programs and services to our broader communities. Every gift, of any amount, is valued and important, and together your contributions make a difference to every person we serve.

Please always know that your support makes both an immediate difference AND a lasting impact for our patients, their families and friends and to the communities our team of caregivers serve. For this, we are sincerely grateful. As always, if I can ever be of assistance to you, or should you wish to discuss your investment in Tidewell, please contact me directly at 941/552-7658 or at dpope@tidewell.org.

With my warmest regards,

Denise M. Pope, CFRE Chief Philanthropy Officer

Board of Trustees Profile

Meet Roberta “Bobbi” BannonBobbi Bannon has spent nearly her entire life working in health care, so it wasn’t a difficult sell when former trustee Jim MacCallum began recruiting her to the Tidewell Hospice Board in 2009, although Bannon admits his enthusiasm was catching.

“I saw how dedicated Jim was to Tidewell and it was infectious,” she said. “And I’ve witnessed the value of the whole hospice program throughout my career. The support to patients and families is something I’ve seen first-hand and I love the whole concept. I have a strong dedication to the philosophy and when you’re on a board for something you’re dedicated to, that makes it easy.”

Bannon, who earned RN, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, boasts a career in nursing management that spans more than three decades. She has been responsible for directing nearly every specialty in inpatient and outpatient care.

Bobbi and her husband, Bill, split their time between residences in Port Charlotte and Chicago, and she continues to travel throughout the U.S. as a nurse surveyor for the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program. Bobbi also serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Approved Home Health, Tidewell’s own agency.

So what stands out about her participation as a Tidewell trustee?

“The makeup of the board is so diverse and it’s such a good cross section of people who bring different expertise and a wealth of knowledge to support the whole program,” she said. “That keeps us prepared to face change and see what’s around the next corner. We’re a board that’s ready to rise to the occasion and focused on the needs of patients and families and doing the right things.”

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Tidewell Hospice is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization whose federal identification number is 59-1911861. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (1-800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Does Your Company Match Your Gift?Did you know that your generosity has the potential to be doubled or even tripled? Many companies increase the value of their employees’ and retirees’ charitable contributions through matching gifts programs.

Last year, companies matched gifts from supporters like you for a total of almost $43,000. These matching gifts, along with your generosity, help Tidewell Hospice sustain compassionate care, emotional support and quality of life programs for all who need our services, regardless of their ability to pay.

You may not even have to be a full-time, active employee to have your gift matched. Most organizations match gifts from part-time employees and retirees. Some will match gifts from spouses and annuitants. If you happen to volunteer with Tidewell, your company may even provide a monetary donation as a way to recognize your volunteerism.

To find out if your company makes matching gifts, contact your human resources department or call Tidewell’s philanthropy department at (941) 552-7588.

Dorothea Lang and her extended family and friends were on hand July 21 to cut the ribbon on the beautiful new walkway at the Sarasota Hospice House, donated in memory of her husband, John Sparacio. This completes a project started in 2011, when a lighted footbridge was donated by The Frank and John Sparacio Charitable Foundation as a memorial to John’s brother, Frank. Thanks to everyone in the Sparacio family, Tidewell is able to share the serenity of this setting with its patients, their loved ones and the staff who spend time at the Sarasota Hospice House. The family’s generosity has added to the beauty of the grounds and has created a lasting symbol of the connection between two brothers.

One of the first families to benefit from the fund was that of a patient at the Sarasota Hospice House in June. Using money from the fund, before her death, Tammy Parry was able to present matchingPandora bracelets to her twin 10-year-old daughters, Grace and Sophia.

In a special note to her children, Tammy wrote: “I want you to have this very special gift that you can keep forever and pass down if you have a daughter. It is meant to remind you of me whenever you see it or wear it. I love you forever and ever.”

Hubbell hopes that the fund will continue to grow and attract additional donors.

“I’m in the posture of never saying no,” he said. “When we find an opportunity like the bracelets, we need to say yes. That’s what’s important.”

Making Special Wishes continued from cover

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Send a Tidewell E-CardWhen you make an online gift to Tidewell Hospice through our website (tidewell.org), you can now send a customized e-card in honor or in memory of a loved one, in sympathy or just to let someone know they’re in your thoughts. Choose from among four beautiful designs and personalize your message for the recipient. The process takes just minutes to complete and is a wonderful way to let someone know you care and that you believe in Tidewell’s mission of helping people live well by providing care, comfort and compassion. Visit tidewell.org/hospice/donors/tidewell-ecard

A Walk to Remember

Tidewell Hospice, Inc.Philanthropy Department5955 Rand Blvd.Sarasota, FL 34238

Return service requested

I N F O R M A T I O N F O R D O N O R S A N D F R I E N D S O F T I D E W E L L H O S P I C E

Denise M. Pope, CFREExecutive Vice PresidentChief Philanthropy Officer 941-552-7658dpope@tidewell.org

Aida Matic, CFREVice President of Philanthropy 941-552-7551, amatic@tidewell.org

Jane Freitas Philanthropy Services Manager941-552-7502jfreitas@tidewell.org

Kareen Ver Helst Philanthropy Officer 941-552-7563kverhelst@tidewell.org

Debbie Frey Data Analyst 941-552-7597dfrey@tidewell.org

Larry RichardsData Analyst 941-552-7503lrichards@tidewell.org

Barb Ross Executive Assistant 941-552-7546bross@tidewell.org

Philanthropy Contacts:

Columbia Community HarvestLet your appetite guide you to a great meal while supporting Tidewell! During September, the 17th Annual

Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest program is celebrated at all Columbia locations. Guests who have lunch or dinner can choose a non-profit group to

receive a donation of five-percent of their check in the form of gift certificates to the restaurant. The guest does not spend any additional money for this donation. Columbia Restaurants are located in Sarasota at St. Armand’s Circle, Tampa’s Historic Ybor City, St. Augustine, Clearwater Beach, Celebration, the Café at Tampa Bay History Center on the Riverwalk, Tampa and The Columbia Restaurant Café at Tampa International Airport.

Make your securecontribution atwww.givetotidewell.org

Your Charitable Gifts Transform Lives: Massage Therapy

Pain control is often a primary concern for individuals who have progressively debilitating diseases, and massage has proven useful as a therapy for any condition that includes a stress

component. At Tidewell, therapeutic massage is used to create relaxation, ease pain and manage stress. Licensed massage therapists oversee and supervise consultations with hospice patients. This therapy is part of Tidewell’s Complementary Services, a full array of special programs that — used together with conventional medicine — bring quality of life to those with advanced illness. Charitable donations allow Tidewell to offer massage therapy and many other Complementary Services to patients and their loved ones.