Winchester, VA, May 25, 2022—Blue Ridge Hospice’s Butterfly Ball celebrated the local hospice provider’s 40th anniversary Saturday, May 21, as nearly 230 supporters gathered to commemorate the not-for-profit’s notable history and look forward to an even brighter future.
The attendees gathered at the Gardens of Glen Burnie located at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, VA, for a belated, post-pandemic anniversary gala that raised more than $200,000 to support Blue Ridge Hospice’s charity care fund, inpatient hospice unit, and numerous unfunded programs that go above and beyond Medicare’s requirements for end-of-life care.
The fundraiser also benefited from the generous support of 43 benefactors, including lead sponsors Mike Wilkerson and F&M Bank, Shannon and William Houck, Valley Health, Winchester Emergency Physicians, Dr. Leonard and Janet Yang and the Winchester Wheelmen Bicycle Club, and Valley Proteins, Inc.
“While the funds to support such Blue Ridge Hospice programs as music therapy, We Honor Veterans, Paws and Purrs and our children’s grief support program Kaleidoscope are vitally important, equally significant is the demonstration of support from our friends and neighbors from across the northern Shenandoah Valley who have long cherished how Blue Ridge Hospice contributes to the quality of life we enjoy here,” said Butterfly Ball Committee Co-Chair and Blue Ridge Hospice Board Director Lynne Sayles.
Taking a moment during the festivities to reflect on Blue Ridge Hospice’s 40-year record of mission fulfillment as well as the next 40 years, President and CEO Cheryl Hamilton Fried said, “We look to our legacy of service as inspiration to evolve as a care provider – while never losing sight of our history, roots, and commitment to the community we have and will always serve.
“A lot of exciting developments are on the horizon for Blue Ridge Hospice,” noted Fried, who joined Blue Ridge Hospice in January 2021. “We’re adding new services, leveraging our culture of a quality, caring, interdisciplinary team to ensure the frail elderly and disabled who are not ready for hospice to receive essential care.”
“The Butterfly Ball and other fundraising events throughout the year are vital to support the ongoing operations of the Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center in Winchester,” noted Chairman of the Board George Caley. “Our Inpatient Care Center is a vital part of the continuum of care for patients with a life-limiting diagnosis,” he said. “While inpatient care is reimbursed by Medicare, the costs to run a unit like this far exceed the Medicare reimbursement. And, of course, we never turn away anyone without Medicare or other insurance coverage. Every dollar from donors goes to support programs like this.”
The Butterfly Ball featured Master of Ceremonies and former Blue Ridge Hospice Board Member Barry Lee. Dinner was catered by Six Star Events and The Cake Boutique. Big Ray and the Kool Kats provided the musical entertainment. Attendees also had the opportunity to bid on a variety of vacation, dining, entertainment and locally produced artworks in a virtual silent auction donated by local individuals and businesses.
About Blue Ridge Hospice
Blue Ridge Hospice is a community-based, not-for-profit serious illness and end-of-life care provider that has been serving friends and neighbors across the northern Shenandoah Valley since 1981. With a mission of “Brightening life’s journey with quality and compassionate care for all whom we are privileged to serve,” Blue Ridge Hospice serves Winchester City and the northern Virginia counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, and Warren. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Blue Ridge Hospice consistently exceeds the national averages for quality as reported on Medicare’s Hospice Compare website. To learn more about Blue Ridge Hospice visit www.brhospice.org, or call 540-313-9200.
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