Jefferson Family “Adopts” Hospice Family

Inspires Others in Community to Provide “Best Christmas Ever”

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Each year, the Wish List Fund fills an urgent need, allowing Hospice of the Western Reserve to provide  hospice families who have extra needs this time of year with resources they would not otherwise have access to. Unfortunately, this year, economic pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic meant that many long-time company sponsors were unable to help.

When Jefferson resident Cheryl Hunt learned of the need, she stepped in and offered to “adopt” a hospice family with several school-aged children.

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“As soon as I saw the post on Facebook, I knew I needed to help,” she said. “When I told my husband about the family, he got teary-eyed. He told me, ‘We have to make this their best Christmas ever. What if this was us in this family’s position?’ So, I knew I was doing the right thing."

“I wanted to get our family’s heart in the right place this holiday season. My oldest daughter even donated $50 of her own money. It melts my heart to think of their kids being happy and our kids helping with that.”
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Cheryl shared news about adopting the hospice family on social media. Her compassion for the family inspired others from the community to help. Generous gifts were contributed by Ashtabula county commissioner Casey Kozlowski, a local pediatrician and his wife, employees at the Jefferson Library and Discount Drug Mart and many other family members and friends of the Hunt family. 
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One of the most meaningful aspects for Cheryl is an opportunity to give back in memory of her cousin, who received care at David Simpson Hospice House.

“The staff took such wonderful care of him. My cousin was a veteran, and Hospice of the Western Reserve even honored him for his service while he was there. After he died, as I was handling his affairs, I discovered he was a regular donor to St. Jude’s. Supporting this young family at Christmas seems like to perfect way to honor his memory. We are hoping to continue this in some way every year.”

For further information about contributing to the Wish List Fund, call 216.287.8193.

We Can Help

Speak with the referral team by contacting us seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Any first visit and admission can be made the first day.

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More than 1,000 Hospice of the Western Reserve employees and 3,000 volunteers live and work side-by-side in the same neighborhoods with our patients and families. We are privileged to have cared for more than 100,000 Northern Ohioans since our inception.