Avow Hospice Announces Fundraising Campaign in Pelican Bay Community

Avow Hospice announces a $1 million goal for an operating/endowment fundraising campaign within the community of Pelican Bay in North Naples. The campaign is Pelican Bay’s effort to support Avow’s all-Collier County fundraising drive, called the Promise Campaign for Avow Hospice, which began in January 2009. To date, pledges and gifts from Pelican Bay residents toward the $1 million goal have reached $333,000.

 The campaign announcement was made at a gathering at Waterside Shops by Avow Hospice President and CEO Karen Rollins and Michael T. Biondo, Vice Chairman of the Avow Hospice Board of Directors and Chairman of the Pelican Bay campaign. Biondo is a resident of Bay Colony within Pelican Bay and is leading a campaign cabinet of steering committee members from the community.

 “Our vision for Avow Hospice is to deliver what our community needs in compassionate end-of-life care, bereavement support, local memorial opportunities and expanded services,” said Karen Rollins. “As the U.S. hospice industry faces declining reimbursements for the services it provides, local, non-profit hospices like Avow must be able to garner community support to weather uncertain financial times. Adequate operating funds and a substantial endowment are necessary to ensure that Avow Hospice will be able to continue to provide the services it has faithfully offered to Collier County for 27 years.”

 “The community of Pelican Bay is known for its compassion and strong sense of leadership in the greater Naples area,” said Michael Biondo. “If Collier County is to continue to rely on the experienced, skilled and tender care of Avow Hospice, then we must invest in Avow’s future. The residents of Pelican Bay have a proud history of answering with speed and dedication when called on to help those in need. I am honored to be Chairman of this important and ambitious campaign.”

 The Promise Campaign for Avow Hospice initiatives include:

• Raising operating funds to maintain the organization and its patient care programs
• Building Avow’s endowment fund to provide a solid base of financial support
• Enhancing Avow’s campus grounds with walkways, fountains and gardens to provide an environment of peace and tranquility for patients and visitors
• Creating new opportunities for community members to memorialize a loved one through garden plantings, ornaments, engraved bricks, garden benches and more

  The campaign has a goal of $10 million. Of that total, $6 million will be raised for operations, $3 million for endowments and $1 million for campus enhancements.

  
  To see photos from the Waterside event follow this link to our photo gallery.
  
  Follow this link to learn more about the Pelican Bay Promise Campaign.

  Follow this link to learn more about the Promise Campaign for Avow Hospice.