To the Editor:
In this time of giving and remembering, I wish to thank the many community members who have created and maintained the organization where I work. That is, Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.
When people say, “It takes a village,” I want to add that we have been able to exist since 1981 and do our important work because of the village. Our ability to fulfill the promise of our mission, to care for the terminally ill and their families, giving them hope, comfort and compassion, and support all of the community with grief and loss for free, without charge to the patient, insurance companies, or the government brings me to this letter of thanks to you, my community.
Hospice of MV, like many Island nonprofits, holds several fundraisers during the year. We ask many a merchant to give us their specialty to auction, drink, eat, sell, advertise, and honestly, everyone says, “Hospice, yes!”
The community groups who hold events and give the proceeds to us are also to be thanked here; The Rotary Club, Kevin Ryan and his chorus of musicians, the Harley Riders, Farm Neck, The Wesley Hotel, Mone Insurance, Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, Oak Bluffs Road Race Committee, Hand Made from the Heart donors, to name a few.
I must include board members and the many volunteers who work with our patients and fundraising events. I would like to also mention both newspapers, the Gazette and the Times, for consistently writing about us and inviting the public to know about our events and programs. We have left the trailer at the hospital after 22 years and are in a beautiful new home, thanks to the estate of Katharine Graham, and I am humbled in a daily way by the generosity and understanding the community has for our work.
My job is to thank you all, and I feel that I can’t quite do that enough, certainly not compared to the gifts received. Many of you remark that you want Hospice of MV to be around when it is your turn. My promise to you is that I will make certain that we do carry on and excel in offering quality care to all who ask. I thank you, my community, for your gifts and for bringing your loved ones to us. At this time of giving, I remain deeply grateful for your support. It is a privilege to be able to share this work with you.
I offer my best hope for a wonderful, peace-filled New Year to my village.
Terre D. Young
West Tisbury
Executive Director
Hospice of MV
