On Saturday, June 22, 271 runners and walkers laced up their sneakers for the 5^th Annual Homeland Hospice 5K at City Island in Harrisburg, This is the highest attended race in the event’s history. Homeland Hospice is a hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Anne Phillips and her family.

A new feature at this year’s event was a memory walk, which guided participants through hands-on activities focused on sharing memories of loved ones. The concept came from Ann Phillips, a volunteer with Homeland Hospice, who organized her friends and family to participate last year in remembrance of her husband Bob who died in 2015. The group wore “Team Bob” buttons with his photo on their t-shirts.

“Memories help sustain us through grief,” says Brian Medkeff-Rose, M.Div., M.A., Bereavement Counselor at Homeland Hospice. “Incorporating remembrance into the event was an opportunity to bring meaning and comfort to our participants.”

As the Porter family completed the memory walk, they spoke to each other about the death of their friend Psilocin Hatter, who died two months ago at age 17. The activity stations helped the younger Porter children talk about their grief and the things they miss most about their friend.

For the Anderson family, the day was an opportunity to honor Todd Anderson, a beloved husband, father and friend. Todd’s funeral was held the day before Homeland’s 5K. His family and friends decided to participate in the event as a chance to share uplifting memories of Todd and spend time with each other.

Brian Medkeff-Rose
and Myra Badorf

“It feels good to be here with my family,” Erin Anderson says. “Today’s a day for happy memories of my father.”

Homeland’s 5K raised more than $25,000 from corporate sponsorships and individual donations. All proceeds benefit Homeland’s benevolent care program, which includes supportive services like massage, music and pet therapy and additional in-home relief hours. More than $3 million in free services was provided last year so patients and families could make the most of every moment together.

“We’re grateful for the outstanding support of this year’s event,” says Myra Badorf, Assistant Director of Development at Homeland Hospice. “The dedication, hard work and passion of our staff and volunteers made this year’s event the best one yet.”

Homeland Hospice provides bereavement support through phone calls, mailings, one-on-one consultations and support groups up to 13 months after the death of a loved one. Support groups offer self-awareness, healing, helping others, a sense of community and coping skills.

Homeland bereavement support program is available to the bereaved of Homeland’s patients as well as anyone in the community who is experiencing grief.

To learn more, please contact Brian Medkeff-Rose at Homeland Hospice at (717) 221-7890.

We all have them. Special memories of time spent with a loved one. With perfect clarity, we remember the sounds, scents and feelings of the moment. Sometimes the collection of these moments play like a slideshow in our mind. After the death of a loved one, these memories sustain us. They connect us to the past and give us strength to move forward in our grief.

At its Annual Remembrance Event, Homeland Hospice staff and volunteers welcomed family members who have lost a loved one during the past year. Homeland Hospice is a hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Each family member was given an opportunity to share a cherished memory about his or her loved one. Afterwards, attendees selected a decorated memory rock to keep in honor of their loved one.

“I will always remember my husband’s phone calls,” remarked a widow at the event. “He would call me several times a day just to say I love you.”

When we can no longer go to our loved ones for advice, memories can serve as our compass and guide our actions.

“My mother taught me to stand tall in times of adversity,” recalled a daughter speaking about her mother. “She was pure courage under fire.”

For Amanda Thorson, a CNA with Homeland Hospice, this year’s event held added significance. Amanda’s father Joe died in February. Joe received in-home relief services through Homeland Hospice during his end-of-life journey.

“As a professional, I understood the severity of his illness,” Amanda said, “As a daughter, I was heartbroken.”

Amanda brought her family to the event to help her children in the grieving process. Recently, Amanda and her family have begun bereavement counseling through Homeland.

“Joe was my grandfather and best friend,” remarked Amanda’s daughter. “He was the glue that held our family together.”

Homeland Hospice provides bereavement support through phone calls, mailings, one-on-one consultations and support groups up to 13 months after the death of a loved one. Support groups offer self-awareness, healing, helping others, a sense of community and coping skills.

At the close of the event, Brian Medkeff-Rose, M.Div., M.A., Bereavement Counselor at Homeland Hospice reminded attendees that we have all been changed because of the people we knew and loved.

“Trust in the hope and promise of life,” Brian says. “Know that you are never alone.”

Homeland Hospice’s bereavement support program is available to the bereaved of Homeland’s patients as well as anyone in the community who is experiencing grief.

To learn more, please contact Brian Medkeff-Rose or Noelle Valentine at Homeland Hospice at (717) 221-7890.

L to R: Andrew Wenger,
Dann Caldwell, Mark Harris

Having a background in children and youth spiritual services, Andrew Wenger, did not know what to expect when he walked into his Homeland Hospice internship in September 2018. Andrew has spent the last seven months shadowing Dann Caldwell and Mark Harris. They taught him to listen more than speak, based on the needs of the patient and their family.

The value of silent observation was a helpful tool in “getting the full picture,” and “meeting the patient or family member where they are.” Andrew says that he was also given the opportunity to work with bereaved children and was able to familiarize himself with the process of preparing ahead of time, meeting them in the moment of loss, and continuing to counsel after all sets in.

Working with Hospice patients and their families has given Andrew a lot to consider in his future career of church service. Andrew says he will take the lessons he has learned and apply them to his work with church congregants, so that all are given a safe space to come and have someone who will reach out them in a moment of need. Good luck, Andrew! Thank you for all you did during your time with us!

There are moments in one’s life when the right people emerge to offer comfort and strength when it’s needed most. For Kathy Page of Camp Hill, this support came from the team at Homeland Hospice.

Kathy’s husband, Charlie, died last summer after battling cancer for four years. During the final month of his life, Homeland helped manage Charlie’s physical pain and provided emotional and spiritual support to both Charlie and Kathy.

“I call the hospice team my angels,” Kathy says. “They were with me every step of the way. I never felt alone in this journey.”

Kathy’s “team of angels” included Pam Ramsey, BSW, social worker at Homeland Hospice (pictured above and left with Kathy), Franchesca Washington, RN Case Manager, and Chaplain Mark P. Harris, M.A., M.Div., Spiritual Counselor at Homeland.

During their brief time together, Mark and Charlie developed a unique connection. From the moment they met, they understood one another, like long-time friends.

“Charlie trusted Mark and felt comfortable opening up about his life,” Kathy says. “Their conversations helped both Charlie and me find peace during his final days.”

At Kathy’s request, Mark officiated Charlie’s graveside service.

“We cared for Charlie and Kathy like we would our own family,” Pam says. “It was a privilege to support this loving couple.”

Recently Kathy began attending Homeland’s women’s luncheon series, which helps women navigate their journey of grief in a safe and supportive space. Kathy is making new friends in the group, and finds strength in learning from others while sharing her own story. She is considering taking a trip to Europe with attendees from the group.

“Grief can be all-encompassing and it’s easy to shut down,” Kathy adds. “Through Pam and my Homeland team, I’ve learned it’s okay for me to make time for myself and let others into my life.”

Homeland Hospice provides bereavement support through phone calls, mailings, one-on-one consultations and support groups up to 13 months after the death of a loved one. Support groups offer self-awareness, healing, helping others, a sense of community and coping skills.

The Women’s Soup and Salad Luncheons are held the third Friday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Isaac’s Grill at the West Shore Plaza.

To learn more, please contact us at Homeland Hospice at (717) 221-7890.