Press

From left to right: Chris Arsenault, Ellen (Gruner) Arsenault, Nan Gruner, Jennifer (Peck) Patton, Al Gruner Sr., Ted Peck, Brian Arsenault, Alexa Peck

Kingston, N.Y. – November 5, 2019 – The Estate of Anita Williams Peck recently awarded the Benedictine Health Foundation a gift of $100,000 to support the Foundation’s Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund. The Fund provides direct financial assistance to local cancer patients while they receive treatment. Each patient is given $500 annually in the form of gift cards to purchase nutritious food and/or fuel to help cover the expense of transportation to treatment. Over 2100 patients have been served by the program with over $970,000 distributed in assistance.

This generous donation was presented by Theodore G. Peck and Jennifer Peck Patten, son and daughter of Anita, at the 16th annual Bike for Cancer Care event held on September 22.

The Mission of the Benedictine Health Foundation, an independent not for profit agency, is to raise and distribute financial resources to those struggling with a cancer diagnosis and whose financial means limit their ability to access or receive the care that they need. We provide assistance to Ulster County residents and their families or those from neighboring counties receiving medical services in Ulster County. For further information, contact Bernadette Rexford, Executive Director, at (845) 481-1371.

“Williams Lake Hotel had a slogan of “being as friendly as a house party” and, as a result, many of the guests and beach club members became like family. Our mom cherished those relationships and when times got tough, she always tried to help. Her donation to the Rosemary D. Gruner Cancer Fund is her way to contribute, and also recognize the entire Gruner family and their effort to make curing cancer and easing suffering a reality,” stated Theodore G. Peck and Jennifer Peck Patten.