Hospice

Dr. Ira Lourie was honored Nov. 9 by Hospice of Washington County for his fundraising efforts. Twenty-four individuals from not-for-profits in Western Maryland were honored during the Philanthropy Day Luncheon at Hollow Creek Golf Course in Middletown, Md. Lourie was honored for raising more than $30,000 to establish The Jennifer Fund at Hospice of Washington County. The fund, named after Lourie's daughter, was designed to support pediatric patients and their families.

For the third year in a row, Hospice of Washington County Inc. will host a 5K walk/run to remember and honor loved ones.  Unlike the first two events that were held in the fall, this year's event will take place in the spring. The Spring HWC 5K will be Saturday, April 21, starting at 9 a.m. at Martin L. “Marty” Snook Memorial Park in Halfway. Registration is under way and costs $10 per person.  Participants can choose to raise funds for Hospice of Washington County or just participate in the chip-timed race.

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Cortland Mansion in Hagerstown, tables will be adorned with centerpieces, event programs and tissues.  Yes, tissues. Tears of inspiration and joy will be shared during the one-hour program. Tom Riford will emcee the event.  Three local families who have used Hospice of Washington County services will share their stories with the 240 guests who have already reserved tickets.  Kelly Wright, news anchor for Fox News. will be one of those individuals sharing his story.  During the program, Karen Taylor-Good will perform five songs.

HAGERSTOWN - Hospice of Washington County will move its office into a new home on Northern Avenue in Hagerstown next week. Hospice has used the third floor of the Western Maryland Hospital Center on Pennsylvania Avenue since November 2002, said Dawn Johns, Hospice's community relations director. Hospice, which cares for people with terminal illnesses, plans to move into a building on Northern Avenue from Jan. 17 to 19, Johns said. The move will roughly double the amount of office space for the agency, she said.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- West Virginia Chapter V of Blue Knights International presented an oversized check for $10,261 to the staff of Hospice of the Panhandle on Tuesday. The nonprofit motorcycle club of active and retired law-enforcement officers raised the money from Bike Night 2009, an event the group sponsors each year in Martinsburg. An appearance by actor Erik Estrada helped raise $1,261 of this year's donation. Since 2004, the group has donated $47,663 to Hospice, according to club treasurer and Sheriff's Department Lt. Gary Harmison.

Ever had a problem with health insurance? Do you think the United States should have a national health-care system? How do you find a good, local doctor? The incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama is soliciting input on these and other issues as it considers how to improve health-care delivery in the United States. To get comments from citizens, Obama's transition team has asked health-related agencies to host public meetings across the nation. Hospice of Washington County scheduled two such meetings on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Hospice's offices at 747 Northern Avenue in Hagerstown.

Ten Thousand Villages Hagerstown is inviting the community to come out and shop for the holidays to benefit Hospice of Washington County from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit Hospice of Washington County. Hospice serves the community by providing end-of-life care to patients and loved ones and grief support for those coping with a life-changing loss. For more information about Hospice of Washington County, visit www.hospiceofwc.

kevinc@herald-mail.com Eva and Marlin Martin operate the lunch counter at Hagerstown Regional Airport, coupled with a catering business specializing in weddings, picnics and business functions. Yet no experience could prepare them for the culinary blitzkrieg that is Taste of the Town. Why, just last year, their second at the Hospice of Washington County fundraiser, the owner's of Martin's Catering Service brought a generous helping of fresh peach pies for tasters to savor.

megp@herald-mail.com Bill Bowen has enough baseball memorabilia to fill a museum in his house, but he never gets tired of looking at more. As an appraiser for Hospice of the Panhandle Inc.'s third annual antique appraisal fair this weekend, he also gets to tell visitors the value of their treasures. "Most of them are very anxious to find out what it's worth," said Bowen, who also volunteered to provide verbal appraisals of baseball memorabilia at the two previous fairs.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Lauren Taylor is just 16 years old, but she focuses much of her time and energy on end-of-life care. For about four years, she has raised money for Hospice of the Panhandle in Martinsburg, W.Va., with an annual bake sale. Lauren, who lives in Martinsburg, said she has raised more than $10,300 that has gone into a special needs fund. Hospice is a private nonprofit community program that provides in-home services, bereavement support, and education and training.