FEBRUARY 2025

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well as we begin to welcome warmer temperatures and, in another week, longer days!

I recently visited a residential nonprofit organization in West Virginia that helps to address substandard housing in its rural Appalachian community by performing home repairs for those in need. I was brushing my teeth one morning at “the farm” and saw this poem written on the wall around the mirror:

I slept and dreamt that life was joy.

I awoke and saw that life was service.

I acted and behold, service was joy.

- Rabindranath Tagore 

What an important message to read while reflecting on oneself, literally and figuratively! At LHM Foundation, we believe that service is our duty… and our joy. We find that joy in caring for our hospice patients and their families, in volunteering in our communities, and, soon, in supporting our unhoused neighbors on their path to housing security. 

Thank you for joining us on this joyous journey!

With gratitude,

Amy

For up-to-the-minute Foundation news, follow us on social media, too!

Work is underway! This month, LHM Foundation staff and volunteers began transforming a former senior living facility into the future home of its Horizons transitional housing program. We are working hard to clean the 42,000 square-foot center so that we can put our best foot forward when proudly touring the space with community partners. We are also sorting through the many items – furniture, medical equipment, trash and more – left by the former owner to determine what is appropriate for disposal, for use in our own programs, and for donation to other nonprofit organizations.

While we have much to do before welcoming unhoused individuals and families, it is exciting to be working in the space with our dedicated volunteers and staff as we begin to see our vision take shape!

We will have many more volunteer opportunities as the Horizons transitional housing program moves forward. Whether you enjoy yardwork, cooking, painting or more, we will have a role for you!

To learn more about ways to support LHM Foundation's work, please contact:

Amy Foerster, CEO

717.219.3638

amy.foerster@lhm-foundation.org

Ellen Abbott, Dir. of Development 717.569.3807

ellen.abbott@lhm-foundation.org

Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is ask for help. However, we have learned that a lack of information about hospice can keep patients and families from accessing this specialized form of care – this help – as early as possible. Instead, they often navigate the end-of-life journey alone. It doesn't have to be that way.

LHM Foundation's Hospice Team is committed to empowering our communities with accurate information about the hospice philosophy. It's important that our neighbors understand that hospice care neither hastens nor delays death. Rather, its focus is on prioritizing patients' comfort, dignity and quality of life, while also supporting their families and other loved ones. In other words, hospice cares for the person, not the illness.

Sarah Keene joined the LHM Foundation team in January as our Hospice Community Liaison. In this dedicated role, Sarah works with families, physicians, skilled nursing facilities and others to help patients access hospice care as early as is appropriate, so they can receive its full benefits. Please welcome Sarah and help us spread the word about the positive impacts of hospice!

This month, our Beam Team volunteers braved the extreme cold to support the York County Food Bank.

We were grateful for the opportunity to help load food into the cars of more than 500 households benefiting from the YCFB.

B-r-r-r…..avo, Beam Team!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

JEN SWAVELY

Meet Jen Swavely! Jen is an amazing LHM Foundation volunteer who has donated significant time to both our Hospice and Beam Team programs. Jen has helped prepare bereavement materials for Hospice patients, served lunches at a homeless shelter, packed nonperishable items at a food bank, and so much more.

Regarding her motivation, Jen explained, “Being in my retirement and empty nest years, volunteering gives me a deep sense of purpose. It allows me to put my faith into action and have a positive impact on the individuals in our communities."

When asked what she would share with those considering volunteerism, Jen said, “We were all created to selflessly serve others with our time, talents and treasures. The opportunities are endless here at LHM Foundation. No matter what your talents are, there is a place for you to serve!”

Thank you, Jen. You truly are a bright light at LHM Foundation!

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