ASHLAND – The board of directors at The Energy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Foundation, Newark, Ohio, has approved a grant in the amount of $2,250 to fund the purchase of Therapy Bears for Hospice of North Central Ohio’s 2022 Camp Hope children’s bereavement camp.
The camp is scheduled for June 17, 18, 24 and 25 at Pleasant Hill Outdoor Camp in Perrysville, Ohio. The camp by was created by HNCO in 1996 to provide a place for grieving children who have lost a loved one through death with a safe environment to heal and tell their story.
Becky Pfister, HNCO lead social worker/MSW, said, “Each year at Camp Hope, we offer a variety of activities, crafts and small group time for the campers to share their own story, learn coping skills and create memories. This year, through this grant, we will be able to provide each camper with a special stuffed animal, which they will stuff, and into which they can place notes or other small tokens of remembrance of their loved one.”
Chair Beth Barker, of The Energy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Foundation, said, “The Energy Cooperative has had the fortune of witnessing gallant efforts in various ways throughout many of the communities we serve, including Hospice of North Central. In June, Operation Round Up is honored to partner with Camp Hope Children's Bereavement Camp. Concern for Community is a cooperative principle we don't take lightly, and Camp Hope is yet one more incredible way they're exhibiting this compassion.”
Ralph Tomassi, HNCO chief development officer, said, “The Energy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Foundation continues to make a positive impact on the quality of life in their service areas.”
The Energy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Foundation was established by its board of directors in 2005. The program rounds up members' bills to the nearest dollar and then disseminates to local charities in the cooperative’s service areas.
Hospice of North Central Ohio has served thousands of families with compassionate end-of-life and palliative care, bereavement programs and services since 1988. Headquartered at 1021 Dauch Drive in Ashland, Hospice of North Central Ohio serves more than 200 patients daily in Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Morrow, and Richland counties who are living with chronic and terminal illnesses.
Additionally, free continuous bereavement services are provided for hundreds of families of hospice patients and to anyone in the community experiencing grief. HNCO also operates the What Goes ‘Round Thrift Shoppe located in downtown Mansfield.
Call 800-952-2207 for more information. HNCO is a 501c3 non-profit organization with over 37 years of experience and a community partner of United Way of Ashland and Knox County.
