Celebration set Sept. 26 to mark 25th year

The organization plans to collect stories of families to share.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Hospice of the Valley, which has served nearly 10,000 patients during its 25-year history, is inviting family members to join with past and current staff members, board members and volunteers to celebrate the silver anniversary during a get-together planned Sept. 26.
The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center at Mill Creek Park and will give family members the chance to write about their loved ones. The stories will be compiled into binders, which will be displayed at the new hospice inpatient facility in Poland.
A display of photos from past fund-raisers will be featured.
How it began
Sandra Roth was the first president of what was then called Hospice of Youngstown. In an article published in The Vindicator in October 1979, Mrs. Roth said her interest in a hospice organization developed because of a terminally ill friend, Judy Mendel, who also worked on the original hospice committee. The National Council of Jewish Women formed a study group to explore the possibility of creating an area hospice organization.
The Vindicator article from that time noted that "The study and the enthusiastic response of local health agencies toward establishing a hospice here led to the incorporation of Hospice of Youngstown." The article also explained that the hospice movement "is designed to give medical, emotional and spiritual support to the terminally ill and members of their families" -- a mission that continues.
Also in 1979, The Vindicator published a series of five articles by syndicated writer Sylvia Porter that explained the hospice concept and what services were offered.
When Hospice of Youngstown began, it served a 25-mile radius around Youngstown. Under the direction of Paul Easton in 1992, it broadened its service and the name was changed to Hospice of the Valley. It serves Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and parts of western Pennsylvania.
The Hospice of the Valley staff numbers some 100 nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains and administrators. There are more than 200 active companion, office and special events volunteers who give their time to the program. These volunteers complete an extensive training procedure in classes held throughout the year.
For information on becoming a volunteer, contact Kathy Gordon, director of volunteers, at (330) 788-1992.
Goal is reached
An inpatient facility, first mentioned as a goal of the original Hospice of Youngstown committee, is becoming a reality 25 years later. Now under construction at 9501 Sharrott Road, Poland, the facility will have 16 patient rooms, a family kitchen, lounges, children's playroom, meeting rooms and gardens that will be open to the public. The site is 14 wooded acres with streams, wildlife and trees.
The Capital Campaign Committee, headed by Connie Knecht, Diane Keller and Atty. Leonard Schiavone, has raised $4.2 million of the $6.6 needed. Namings are available at the new site. Contact Liz McGarry, development director, at the main office for information.