-By Judy Shuler-
Butterflies everywhere. Butterflies, the symbol of transformation, hope, life, and spirit. As the 6th annual Butterfly Art & Charity Auction returns Friday night, September 16, guests can bid on 55 pieces of art created by students–water color, acrylic, pencil, mixed mediums–all featuring butterflies.
Sponsored by Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPC), the charity auction benefits all of their services, including the new Star Hospice House, and helps deliver specialized care to the families throughout the county
Doors open at 6pm at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville, the live auction begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25 and include a buffet dinner. People under 18 are free. There will also be a cash bar.
Butterfly artwork was created by students at Jefferson Middle School in Jamestown, Sherman Central School, Forestville Central School, Fredonia Middle School and Fredonia High School.
“We split the profit from the artwork with the corresponding schools and to date, we have donated over $5,000 back to their art programs,” says BJ Buonaiuto, CHPC community events coordinator.
“I always love this event because we get to interact with so many children in our county and let them know what Hospice does in a friendly non-scary way. We have opened the lines of communication for many young people to also learn how to deal with their grief and emotions without being afraid of us.”
There will also be other items to bid on; donors include Community Eye Care, The Basket Company, The Aesthetics House, The Comedy Center, Wegmans, Splash Lagoon and the Buffalo Sabres.
All money raised stays in Chautauqua County. “Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care uses the money we raise to offer therapies to our patients which include massage, music, pet, art and reiki to name a few. We also never turn someone away regardless of their ability to pay for services,” Buonaiuto says.
Star Hospice House opened in July at 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, “thanks to over $2.8 million in community support,” says Zach Agett, vice-president of community engagement. The full project included renovations to an existing house with two family bedrooms, full size kitchen, living room, and balcony. A newly constructed patient level features five private patient rooms with nurses and aides on site 24 hours a day. The house and patient levels are connected via stairway or lift. In addition to the patient rooms, the patient level also includes a great room, full kitchen, salon, and covered patios.
“The goal of The Star Hospice House is to provide high quality care and support to the patient, while working with the patient and family to improve quality of life,” Agett says. “The Star Hospice House is expected to serve around 200 patients each year, and current utilization has been higher than expected. Many of the families have voiced their appreciation at being able to be ‘present’ with their loved one and no longer having to worry about care-giving.”
Though currently fully staffed, Star Hospice House always has per-diem shifts available for LPNs and HHAs, he says. For more information and tickets for the fundraiser, to make a donation or to apply to be part of the staff, see chpc.care.