Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Hospice supporters look to public for $2M in funds
By Karin Hill | The Sun
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Karin Hill | The Sun
Robert Jones speaks about the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House that will be built next year during a news conference at Jonesboro on Tuesday. At right is a portrait of his parents, Flo and Phil Jones. |
JONESBORO — With $3.5 million raised in just the last few months, supporters of the soon-to-be-built Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House are now looking to the public for the last $2 million.
“The response has been so overwhelming, it gives me chills,” Marilyn Hummelstein, president of St. Bernards Development Foundation, said.
St. Bernards officials and many members of the Jones family were on hand at a news conference Tuesday to announce the public phase of the capital campaign for the hospice house, which is expected to be constructed starting late this summer and ready for occupancy by the end of 2009.
They said the preliminary fund-raising has been accomplished through in-house efforts and other connections and that a public campaign — called “A Gift of Peace” — will be a big help in building the 12-room, 19,000-square-foot house named in honor of the couple who supported hospice care in Northeast Arkansas for many years.
Flo and Phil Jones, whose children are serving as honorary chairmen of the fund-raising campaign, helped bring hospice care to the Jonesboro area and continued to support hospice locally and abroad for most of their lives. Phil died in 2004, followed by his wife in 2006.
Son Robert Jones, who spoke at Tuesday’s event, said he remembers nights as a child when his mother would be home late because she had to check in on someone who was ill. And when “burdensome federal regulations” caused the volunteer hospice in Jonesboro to disband in the early 1980s, his mother wouldn’t let that stop her from creating a new one through St. Bernards.
Flo was so passionate about the cause that she traveled to numerous countries to help hospice programs grow into successful ministries. She was also instrumental in developing the Jonesboro Church Health Center, a facility that provides health care to working people with no insurance.
Also held nursing jobs
In addition to raising seven children, she held a number of nursing jobs for several Jonesboro physicians, served as a nursing instructor and owned and operated Live Oaks Nursing Home.
Phil, a Navy veteran of the Korean conflict, was the founder of Jones & Company, a regional certified public accountant firm based in Jonesboro. He served with several business and civic groups and was financial adviser to the sisters of the Holy Angels Convent for more than 40 years.
He also contributed more than 30 years to St. Bernards Healthcare, serving until his death on the St. Bernards Governing Board and on the St. Bernards Development Foundation Board.
Phil and Flo worked together on several overseas health-care initiatives and local efforts.
“If they were here today, Mom and Dad would shun this recognition” and instead defer the praise to the numerous other individuals who helped the cause of health care and hospice in this region, Robert Jones said.
Would have positive impact
He said the house would have a significant positive impact on the community.
“I ask and encourage everyone to support this campaign for the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House,” he said. “We have a ways to go.”
The hospice house will be at 1148 East Matthews Ave., between the St. Bernards Imaging Center and Matthews Medical Plaza. Initially the structure will contain 12 private rooms, each large enough for one family member to spend the night. The design, however, allows for expansion.
Specially trained hospice nurses and care teams will be available at all times of the day and night.
Physicians will be able to make rounds, and friends and family will be welcome, officials said.
The hospice house is not about death but about life, Robert Jones said.
“Its objective is to ease the transition of the patient who is facing the end of their earthly life,” he said.
Individuals who want to contribute to the “A Gift of Peace” campaign may make one-time donations or make pledges over a 3-year period. They should contact the St. Bernards Development Foundation at 972-4296 or online via the St. Bernards Foundation web site to do so.
khill@jonesborosun.com
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Copyright 2008 Jonesboro Sun
