The 4th annual Regional Hospice Fall Color Fest 5k Fun Run & Walk is being held on Sunday, October 20 at Tarrywile Park & Mansion in Danbury.
Donations and funds raised at this event go directly towards the care of hospice patients of all ages. Regional Hospice is a 100% non-profit organization, so events like this are essential to ensure the highest quality of care for their patients.
“Every dollar raised through our fundraising efforts directly supports our commitment to loving and compassionate care for patients of all ages. Regardless of their inability to pay, we take care of all patients and supplement costs for those who are not covered by the standard medicare benefit,” Regional Hospice stated.
One of the main driving forces behind this event is Manager of Marketing, Communications and Volunteers, Barb Patrick. Patrick is a Newtown resident, in her 15th year working with Regional Hospice, helping to raise funds for the organization and its patients.
“I lost my dad when I was four years old and at that time, such support services for children did not exist. I have always believed that if I had had such mental health grief support at that time as a child, I would’ve had a much easier life path. At the very least, the support would’ve been so helpful. So, in an effort to pay it forward, I donated to Healing Hearts,” Patrick said.
Along with helping with fundraising, Patrick is the leader of the Regional Hospice of CT’s youth group. Made up of mostly Newtown and Immaculate students, this youth group has worked together to raise funds for the organization for many years.
“The group's main focus from the beginning has always been raising money in support of the children and teens that are receiving care from Regional Hospice. We've also always emphasized this because a lot of teenagers and younger people find it hard to talk about hospice and in general it can be an uncomfortable topic. Ultimately Regional Hospice does a lot more than just providing for people at the end of life,” Youth Group Member Rachael Albrecht said.
The Newtown community got into supporting Regional Hospice shortly after the incident at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012. Parents and children like Patrick and her son Ryan took to action, raising money to help others.
“The action of fundraising was keeping him (Ryan) grounded during such a horrendous time. In the end, with the help of some of his friends raised $50,000 and we learned that Healing Hearts was stepping up big time to serve the families who lost a loved one in the tragedy so he donated that all to Regional Hospice,” Patrick said.
The first color run hosted by Regional Hospice was in the spring of 2021. It served as a huge fundraiser for patients requiring hospice care. This year, the fundraising goal is $300K, all of which going directly to the patients.
“We rely heavily on the generosity of donors to keep our work going. We have various fundraisers annually, including a fancy dinner and dancing gala, a golf tournament, some breakfasts and this Color Fest 5K Fun Run. We aim to raise funds by getting event sponsors and participants, all so that we may take exceptional care of our very special patients,” Patrick said.
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