SYRACUSE (NCC NEWS) — Whether it’s quilted puppets made from volunteers or laughing with coworkers, nurses and team members at the Hospice of Central New York are always looking for ways to make their patients’ day better. But the lack of employees causes a big problem.
“Right now there’s a nursing shortage everywhere. So for nurses that are here for the right reasons and are able to provide that compassionate care, I mean, we definitely need more nurses, social workers. It takes a village,” said Tatyana Frigon, of Hospice CNY.
Frigon, a part of a small staff at Hospice CNY, said there are many avenues their non-profit needs assistance with in order to stay afloat with all the families they are treating.
From nursing equipment, salaries and number of staff, it is clearly visible there is a big hole to fill in assisting those in hospice.
This is where the 25th annual Hospice Golf Event comes into play at the Cavalry Club in Manlius. Since 1998, community members of Syracuse have come forth to participate in an afternoon focused completely on spending their money on a bigger cause.
For Hospice of CNY employee Laurie Simpson being a part of this event for the past nine years has completely changed her perspective on life.
“To see the impact that our agency, what we do for the families and the patients that we provide care for, is probably the, you know, it’s a mission that I feel very strongly for. And every year gets even more,” said Simpson.
Each participant paid $250 to play, along a beautiful freshly cut course where there was a pond for elegance and a choice of burgers or hot dogs to consume during a day full of giving.
The impact, in terms of dollars, has already hit over $50,000, but Laurie says the amount is much bigger over the past quarter-century.
“Probably $300,000, something like that could be,” said Simpson.
Simpson spoke with passion and emotion about the cause, saying it did not matter what the amount was.
“It all makes a difference no matter what,” said Simpson.
