March 20, 2020
Dear Chaplaincy Health Care Supporters,
At Chaplaincy Health Care, it is our utmost priority to protect our staff, patients, clients, families and volunteers during the spread of any virus – and especially COVID-19.
I realize that the flow of information regarding COVID-19 is overwhelming, and in many ways, impossible to absorb. Yet, in spite of the unknown and possible fear that this can bring, I have been amazed at how we have come together as a community to support one another. Honestly, what lies at the heart of our work is compassion, and it shows in times of uncertainty and change.
Over the last 49 years, Chaplaincy Health Care has been called upon to bring healing and comfort through Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Behavioral Health, Grief Care, and Chaplain Care. Our staff is on the front lines, serving patients and clients in their homes, facilities, and at the Hospice House.
Our Response
As we continue to navigate the flood of information regarding COVID-19 and its spread, we are taking preemptive steps to limit person-to-person contamination within our facilities and in the community to ensure the safety of our staff, patients, clients, volunteers and visitors.
We have implemented additional safety protocols, which include working from home options for staff and postponing non-essential activities such as our Heart of Healing fundraising event.
Financial Impact
Like so many of our local businesses and nonprofit organizations, due to state and local mandates and our own safety precautions we are already experiencing financial impacts and anticipate this to continue to increase into the coming months.
This includes:
- Substantial increases in the cost of acquiring additional urgently needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitary supplies for our staff, patients and clients.
- We have closed our Repeat Boutique Hospice Thrift Stores, which provide significant funding for our community Hospice House in Kennewick.
- Heart of Healing, an essential fundraiser for Cork’s Place, has been postponed at a potential loss of $50,000.
In spite of these financial challenges, we are actively responding to this crisis, crafting new policies and procedures, deep cleaning our facilities, educating those we serve, and taking extra precautions with patient and client care. In times such as this we ask for your help…not only to sustain our services but to help sustain one another.
Here Are Some Ways You Can Get Involved and Help Chaplaincy Health Care:
- Donate items on our Hospice or Cork’s Place wish lists.
- Consider making a financial gift today to our Compassion Campaign so that we can continue to serve patients, clients, families, and the community safely throughout this incredibly challenging time. Your donation will make an immediate and lasting impact on those we serve in our community.
- If you have school aged children, consider having them draw pictures or write encouraging notes for hospice patients and residents in assisted living facilities who have limited visitors.
- If you sew, our hospice staff are in dire need of handmade face masks and gowns to use until a supply of these items can be located. Patterns for face masks can be found here and here.
To donate, please go to our agency website or mail your gift to the address below.
Be sure to visit chaplaincyhealthcare.org and our Facebook page for updates and important information.
You Are not Alone
Please know that you are not alone in this experience. Be encouraged that Chaplaincy Health Care will continue to stand firm in the community, serving and joining with others to make sure we get through this crisis together.
Donations and cards/art for Hospice patients can be sent to:
Chaplaincy Health Care
Compassion Campaign
1480 Fowler St
Richland, WA 99352
With gratitude and blessings,
Gary Castillo
Executive Director