The Klock Kingston Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to support the Benedictine Health Foundation’s programs that provide financial support and compassionate care to people coping with the diagnosis of cancer, and behavioral health and substance abuse disorders.
Programs that will benefit include the Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund to assist cancer patients while they receive treatment, $90,000 is distributed annually, and valuable workshops and educational forums for adolescents to educate them on behavioral health conditions that can lead to discrimination or bullying, and create reluctance for our youth to seek help. Topics presented are crucial to healthy development, self-esteem and confidence, and share a critical message of persistence, resilience, self-worth and hard work.
“We thank the Klock Foundation and Key Private Bank for their continuous support of our mission to raise and distribute resources to support quality healthcare that improves the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of those who are vulnerable and underserved in Ulster County and the surrounding area,” stated Robert J. Ryan, Jr., President of the Benedictine Health Foundation.
The Klock Kingston 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.
The Benedictine Health Foundation, based in Kingston, NY, has supported healthcare programs and services since 1977. For further information, contact Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, at (845) 481-1303.
The Benedictine Health Foundation provided funding for Tay Fisher, Harlem Globetrotters star, Firefly, and Kingston High School alumni to conduct three motivational presentations to Kingston High School (KHS) students on Friday, October 6..
1200 students in grades 9 through 12 participated in the assemblies. “This program is designed to help students to prepare for their high school and college experience. I communicate what helped me become successful so they can learn and establish their own path to success. I share my personal story from on and off the court as not all of the kids can relate to me athletically; I want each student to leave empowered for a bright future. There is nothing better than having the opportunity to talk with students and being able to relate to them in numerous ways. It’s all about the connection for them to fully understand my message,” stated Tay Fisher.
“Tay Fisher’s message is one of persistence, resilience, self-worth and hard work. More than a motivational speaker, he is a real life example to Kingston kids of their own personal potential. We are so grateful to the Benedictine Health Foundation for giving our kids the opportunity to hear his story, reflect on their intentions and goals and be inspired to plan for their futures,” stated Amy Kapes, LMSW, KHS Social Worker.
Proceeds from the Benedictine Health Foundation’s Kick for Mental Health Kickball Tournament held in June were used to sponsor the assemblies. The Foundation is supporting additional programs throughout the school year at KHS and with the HealthAlliance Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program that provide opportunities for students to build critical social-emotional and coping skills and participate in pro-social activities that build self-esteem and confidence.
For further information, contact Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, at (845) 481-1303 or bklassen@bhfoundation.org.
Photo (L to R): Tay Fisher with KHS Student Dominique Rivers Lyons.
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 Benedictine Health Foundation received a generous grant from Ulster Savings Bank to fund a Health and Technology Camp at HealthAlliance Hospital, Member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, to be held July 25 – 29.
“We’re very pleased to provide funding in support of the 2016 HealthAlliance Health & Technology Camp,” said Jeffrey Wood, Ulster Savings Bank Vice President and Chair of the Ulster Savings Bank Donations Committee. “The Camp provides an excellent educational opportunity for these students, as well as offering them insights into the clinical and complementary services provided to patients throughout the HealthAlliance health care system.”
The innovative, week-long summer program will provide 10 – 12 year old children with the opportunity to observe many different aspects of healthcare. Campers will be grouped in teams and attend classes on CPR and summer safety. They will shadow medical professionals and visit clinical areas including nursing, emergency medicine, maternity, and mental health, as well as non-clinical including engineering, security and information technology.
“Due to the generous support of Ulster Savings Bank, the Benedictine Health Foundation is honored to fund the Health and Technology Camp. This is a memorable experience for the campers and the hospital staff, and exemplifies our Foundation’s tradition of supporting compassionate care for the people in our community,” said Robert J. Ryan, Jr., President of the Benedictine Health Foundation Board.
A graduation and awards ceremony will be held at the end of the week where campers will present PowerPoint presentations on their team’s favorite area of healthcare.
For more information, please contact Barbara Klassen, Benedictine Health Foundation Executive Director, at (845) 481-1303 or bklassen@bhfoundation.org.
(L to R): 2015 Campers with HealthAlliance Medical Staff
Optimus Architecture located in Rhinebeck recently presented a $2,500 check to the Benedictine Health Foundation to purchase new furnishings for the Mental Health Services Unit at HealthAlliance Hospital: Mary’s Avenue Campus, Member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network.
“Mental Health Services at HAHV is extremely grateful for the very generous donation from Optimus Architecture to be used towards new furnishings for the Clinical care areas throughout the department. Enhancements to these areas will provide spaces to promote wellness and recovery for our clients,” stated Arnell Tuttle RN-BC, BS, Administrative Director.
The Mental Health Inpatient units are comprised of a dedicated group of professionals including a Medical Director, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, activity therapists, social workers and mental health technicians. The inpatient unit operates in a team-focused, patient-centered environment where a forward looking approach to behavioral health is combined with compassionate and expert care. The 21-bed inpatient Acute Care Unit provides intensive psychiatric inpatient care and treatment, along with individual, group therapy, life skills, arts, and activities to patients in need of these services. The 19-bed Progressive Care Unit provides psychiatric inpatient care and treatment to patients who require a more open environment and anticipated discharge.
“We are thrilled to give back to our community keeping in tradition with so many multi-generation families in Kingston. It is important that we use our resources wisely to offer our community members the best education, employment and healthcare opportunities so they can grow their careers and families and continue this tradition,” stated David A. Souers, AIA, ACHA, ASHE, Principal Architect at Optimus.
Photo, L to R: Linda and David Souers, Optimus Architecture; Arnell Tuttle, HealthAlliance Mental Health Services; Robert J. Ryan, Jr. and Barbara Klassen, Benedictine Health Foundation