Bike for Cancer Care in Kingston Reaches Goal of $150,000
Over 700 bike enthusiasts, runners and walkers participated in Benedictine Health Foundation’s Bike for Cancer Care on Sunday, September 18th at Dietz Stadium. The event reached its fundraising goal of $150,000 due to an overwhelming community response.
Now in its 13th year, the event added a 5K Run / Walk through uptown Kingston and a Kids Fun Run inside Dietz Stadium in addition to the existing 50-mile, 25-mile and 12-mile bike rides. Over 175 volunteers were on hand to staff the event.
Lunch donated by Hannaford Supermarkets, ice cream from Stewart’s Shops, and music by Payne’s Grey Sky was enjoyed at the post event awards ceremony. 94.3 FM, The Wolf, was on site to provide announcements and entertainment during the event.
The inaugural 5K honored Carly Elaina Bradley, formerly of Kingston, and Lisa Naccarato Schatzel, a lifetime resident of Kingston, who lost their battles to cancer earlier this year. For the second year, the 50-mile ride was named in memory of Dan Barnes, a graduate of Kingston High School, class of 2003. Dan passed away in 2015 at the age of 30 after a two year battle with Melanoma. Friends, family and community members came out to support the event forming Team Bradley, Schatzel Strong, and Dan’s Fans.
Proceeds benefit the Benedictine Health Foundation’s Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund, which provides financial assistance in the form of gift cards for cancer patients to purchase food or fuel while they receive treatment. The Fund, established in memory of Rosemary in 2004, has distributed over $700,000 to more than 1600 local cancer patients.
The Foundation and Gruner families extend special thanks to its Platinum Sponsors: 94.3 FM, The Wolf, Timely Signs, Anita Williams Peck, Hannaford Supermarkets, Stewart’s Shops and Dr. Zoe Weinstein, and to all event sponsors, donors, participants and volunteers for their generosity.
For further information, contact Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, Benedictine Health Foundation at (845) 481-1303 or bklassen@bhfoundation.org.
Photo: Kingston High School Bike for Cancer Cheering Squad
The Klock Foundation recently awarded a grant of $25,000 to the Benedictine Health Foundation in support of the Foundation’s Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund. The Fund provides direct financial assistance to local cancer patients while they receive treatment. Each eligible patient receives $500 annually in the form of gift cards to purchase nutritious food at Hannaford Supermarkets and/or fuel at Stewart’s Shops to help cover the expense of transportation to treatment. Over 1495 patients have been served by the program with over $655,000 distributed in assistance.
The Klock Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Ulster County to advance education, literacy, the arts, public health and the sciences. “We are once again proud to continue the charitable legacy of Lucia and Jay Klock, and to support health care services in the Ulster County community, stated Sloan Saverine, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of Key Private Bank. KeyBank has managed the Klock Foundation for 48 years with Mr. Saverine serving as a Foundation Trustee.
The Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund was established in 2004 by the Gruner family in partnership with the Benedictine Health Foundation, Inc., a local not for profit organization in Kingston. “This Fund is a vital component of our work to help patients and their families when faced with the diagnosis of cancer and difficult treatments. We are grateful for the continued generosity and support of the Klock Foundation,” stated Barbara Klassen, Executive Director of the Benedictine Health Foundation.
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Klock Kingston Foundation Supports Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients
The Klock Kingston Foundation recently awarded the Benedictine Health Foundation a grant of $25,000 to support the Foundation’s Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund. Established in 2004 in partnership with the Gruner Family, 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 1300 patients have been served by the program with over $575,000 distributed in assistance.
The Klock Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Ulster County to advance education, literacy, the arts, public health and the sciences. “As a member of the Klock Kingston Trustees, we are again proud to continue the charitable legacy of Lucia and Jay Klock, and to support health care services in the Ulster County community,” stated Sloan Saverine, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of Key Private Bank. KeyBank has managed the Klock Foundation for 47 years.
The Benedictine Health Foundation has supported healthcare programs and services in Ulster County since 1977. Their core areas of focus include cancer care services, primarily financial assistance through the Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund, mental health and addiction recovery services, and spiritual care. For further information, contact Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, at (845) 334-3186
Dear Friends and Supporters:
Since our last correspondence to you in February, HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley continues to work through the strategic planning process to consolidate the services of their Hospitals located on Mary’s Avenue and Broadway in Kingston into a single-campus model. The purpose of this transformation is to realign and strengthen HealthAlliance to better serve the community. As part of this transition, the structure, mission, and name of Benedictine Hospital has now changed to HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, Mary’s Avenue Campus.
The Benedictine Health Foundation has recently completed a comprehensive organizational assessment, and our Board of Directors has voted to revitalize our mission and establish a new vision for the future. We will continue to support the work and presence of the Benedictine Sisters within the HealthAlliance system while expanding their legacy of compassionate care throughout Ulster County. As part of our strategic focus and grant-making, moving forward we have established three pillars of excellence:
- Pastoral Care and Education
- Cancer Patient and Family Services including the Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund
- Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
We ask that you please review the attached brochure that provides information about our new Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Focus. The Benedictine Health Foundation’s staff and Board of Directors will continue to raise funds through our annual appeal and our special events (Bike for Cancer Care, Sample, Sip and Savor, the annual Gala and Golf Tournament). Our Foundation is committed to ensure that every dollar we receive is spent in accordance with the donor’s wishes and to effectively address the health care needs of our community.
We are excited about our future, and look forward to a continued partnership with you, our hospitals, pastoral care providers, and others who are sensitive to the needs for quality and compassionate health care. Philanthropy plays a key role in our work. Your contributions, large or small, have value in advancing the Mission of the Benedictine Health Foundation to create a healthier community for us all. Every gift is an act of generosity, and we thank you for your past and future commitment to our success.
If you have further questions, please contact Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, at (845) 334-3186, or via email at BKlassen@benedictinehealthfoundation.org.
With our sincere gratitude,
Richard H. Gillette, President
Barbara Klassen, Executive Director