Mary Jane's relationship with Hospice began over forty years ago when she became aware of the need for a Hospice program in the Sandhills, especially a Hospice House, in 1979 when she attended an organizational meeting of Sandhills Hospice as a representative of the American Lung Association. "Working with community health departments and social services, I saw first-hand the need for hospice services. At that time, only two counties in the state had hospice home facilities available for patients." She immediately became involved as a volunteer. "I was elected treasurer at the very beginning. We were so pleased when someone gave us $100."
Through the years, as she saw what Hospice could do to help patients and their families as they faced life-limiting illness. Mary Jane kept the idea of a hospice house in the back of her mind. Like a garden, she sowed the seeds of philanthropy with her charitable gift annuities and bequests to the Hospice Foundation. Along with the financial support of other generous donors, the FirstHealth Hospice House bloomed into a reality. During her volunteer time as a member of the Hospice Foundation Board and the Foundation's Scroll Society and Legacy Circle, Mary Jane took every opportunity to encourage others to support FirstHealth through bequests, charitable gift annuities, or special donations.
"Each gift is like a stone that represents your special interest-whether it be Cancer, Heart, or Hospice-in a pathway to improving health care for the days, months, and years ahead. Pick a stone of your choice for this pathway and help lead our community into a future of better health for everyone. God will bless you in ways you don't expect."
To learn more about planned giving opportunities like Charitable Gift Annuities and bequests, please call our office at (910) 695-7500.
