Long before Jane Cadwallader’s husband passed away in the care of Suncoast Hospice in 2015, she volunteered her time with the local hospice organization in her hometown of Elmira, New York.
After her husband passed, and now living full-time in Countryside, it was a natural fit for her to volunteer for Suncoast Hospice. She works several days each week at the North County Care Center in Palm Harbor. In March, Cadwallader joined the Women’s Giving Network (WGN).
The WGN is a membership group of women donors who meet twice each year to hear about the unfunded needs at Empath Health, including Suncoast Hospice, and then award microgrants from their collective membership donations.
“I learned a lot at the first meeting by hearing the different departments talk about the things they needed in order to care for patients, and why they needed them,” Cadwallader said. “I feel more a part of Suncoast Hospice for going through that process.”
Gerry Goldhammer was one of the founding members of WGN. She had a personal hospice experience when her mother was in the care of Suncoast Hospice.
“I was very impressed with everything they did, including frequent phone calls after she died to find out how I was doing,” Goldhammer said.
Out of gratitude, Gerry and her husband Henry made the decision to include Suncoast Hospice in their estate plans. When the opportunity to join the WGN was presented to her, Gerry jumped at the chance.
“I wanted to be part of it so I could continue to see how hospice works for our community”, she said. “I’m glad I did!”
Another founding member, Clearwater elder law attorney Susan Rooth, was already involved with Suncoast as a member of the advisory council for planned giving. She likes the fact that, as a member of the WGN, she has a say in where her donations are going.
“There is a lot of lively discussion, and just a good feeling when we are finished,” she said. One of the best parts, she said, is the people she’s met.
“The Women’s Giving Network is a lot of fun,” she said. “I have met some very interesting women, all with the same goal of making a difference at Suncoast Hospice.”
If you are a woman interested in helping to make a difference for patients and families at Suncoast Hospice through membership in the Women’s Giving Network, call Annette Carter, Director of Philanthropy at (727) 523-3414 or email her at AnnetteCarter@EmpathHealth.org.
Authored by: Annette Carter, MSNPA, CNP, Director of Philanthropy