The Ridgefield Thrift Shop has generously awarded RVNAhealth with a grant to support the Ridgefield Thrift Shop Hospice Fund at RVNAhealth. Thrift Shop volunteers, Annette Robertson and Shirley VanDam, presented the grant check to Theresa Santoro, RVNAhealth President & CEO, and MJ Heller, RVNAhealth Director of Philanthropy, at the Thrift Shop’s grant award reception on April 29, 2024.
The fund was initially established in 2019 to help sustain the critical services provided by RVNAhealth’s hospice program. The renewal of this grant will continue to offset many unreimbursed program costs, including bereavement support to patients and families, music and pet therapies, end-of-life wishes, and the annual memorial service to name a few.
RVNAhealth’s hospice program serves patients in their residences, including private homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes or hospitals, and it addresses physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs to ensure quality of life and comfort in one’s final days. The program has grown exponentially since its inception in late 2018 and now serves more than 450 hospice patients and their families annually. In addition, dedicated agency volunteers provided 1,600 hospice volunteer hours to ensure patients and their loved ones received companionship and support at this difficult time.
The relationship between RVNAhealth and the Ridgefield Thrift Shop dates back to 1937, when the Thrift Shop was created to support and sustain the work of RVNAhealth, then known as the District Nursing Association. “We are so thankful for this opportunity to continue to work together to ensure quality health care remains accessible to individuals throughout Connecticut,” says MJ Heller, Director of Philanthropy at RVNAhealth.
“This grant will provide essential funding to our hospice program, making sure that our patients and their families receive the full care and support they need during such a sensitive time in their lives. We are grateful to have compassionate and dedicated community partners like the Ridgefield Thrift Shop who help bring our mission to life.”
If you are interested in supporting RVNAhealth or learning more about our hospice or grants programs, please visit rvnahealth.org/support-us or contact MJ Heller, Director of Philanthropy, at 203.438.5555, x1206, or email mjheller@rvnahealth.org.
