Festival of Trees Raises $37,000 for Compass Regional Hospice

DENTON — Compass Regional Hospice’s 2nd annual Festival of Trees to benefit hospice care and grief support services in Caroline County proved to be the most successful one yet. 51 trees were auctioned off and more than $37,000 was raised. The three-day event was generously hosted by Bill and Gail Towers at the Towers Family Historical Museum, and co-chaired by Dave Whaley and Melanie McMahan. Provident State Bank and the Preston Automotive Group were the lead sponsors.

“Hospice is a very vital part of our community, not only for our loved ones in their final days, but also as a support for the family after their loss,” said host Bill Towers. “The Festival of Trees is a great way to show your support by either sponsoring a tree, by bidding on one of the trees, or by just coming and enjoying the beauty of this season.”

Guests enjoyed catering by Joann Redden, formerly of The Lily Pad Cafe at the December 6th Preview Party. Bidding continued through the weekend with a visit with Santa, along with performances by the Sonshine Band of Ames United Methodist Church. The convenient online bidding was made possible by Trice Auctions.

Compass Regional Hospice Chief Executive Officer, Heather Guerieri, also revealed a plan for expanded services in Caroline County. “I am excited to announce we have begun the process to build a hospice facility in Caroline County. The new facility will house six residential beds, as well as host space for grief counseling and other specialty services. We are committed to providing equal services to the residents in the three counties we serve. We recognize and believe Caroline County residents have the right to die with dignity in their own community.” Compass has been serving the residents of Caroline County since 2014, and since then has provided services to over 800 patients through their hospice and serious illness programs and almost 600 residents through their grief support programs.

Caroline County Commissioner Larry Porter announced that the County will donate a piece of land for the new hospice facility. The property is county-owned, and located adjacent to the Caroline County Health and Human Services Building in the town of Denton. Commissioner Porter noted the need for a new facility in the County, and thanked both Commissioner Franklin and Commissioner Levengood for their commitment and determination on moving this project forward. Dave Whaley announced that The Caroline Hospice Foundation has also agreed to help make this facility a reality and will be donating proceeds of the Caroline House sale and bequests for this project.

“On behalf of the Board and everyone at Compass, words cannot begin to express our gratitude to both the County and the Caroline Hospice Foundation. We are excited to begin this work and will be keeping everyone posted on the progress,” said Guerieri.

Sponsors of the event included Preston Automotive Group, Provident State Bank, Tri Gas & Oil, Bob Breeding General Contractors, M&T Bank, Gina and Duff McConnell, Luke and Victoria McConnell, Towers Concrete Products, Ashley Insurance, CBIZ, Choptank Transport, Gray’s Gas, Riddleberger Insurance, 4C, Avery Hall Insurance Group, BB&T, Bee’s Energy Express, Carmean Grain, Conner Inc., H&M Bay, Joseph H. McCarthy DDS., Moore Funeral Home, Rex Landscaping and Nursery. Hospitality sponsors included Joann Redden, Hopkins Sales Co., Kelly Distributors, Legends Ltd, Lucy Cory, Mike Dicus, and Mike Wilson.

For more information about next year’s Festival of Trees, to donate to Compass Regional Hospice, or to learn more about organizing a community event to benefit Compass, please contact Kenda Leager at 443-262-4106 or kleager@compassregionalhospice.org.