Harold W. & Ruth Shaffer Mountain Hospice Fund
The Harold W. & Ruth Shaffer Mountain Hospice Fund provides annual support for Mountain Hospice, Inc., helping ensure compassionate, community-based care for terminally ill patients in the region.
TYPE OF FUND: Designated
DATE ESTABLISHED: November 26, 1997
PURPOSE: To provide annual donations for Mountain Hospice, Inc.
DISTRIBUTION: Upon the recommendation of the Grants Committee and approval by the Board of Directors of TCF.
VARIANCE POWER: If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund.
FUNDING: $20,000 initial donation from Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Shaffer of Philippi in 1997.
BACKGROUND: The word hospice originated in medieval times when it was used to describe a place of shelter for weary or sick travelers. The term was first applied to specialized care for the terminally ill in 1967 when Dr. Cicely Saunders established St. Christopher’s Hospice in London. Today, hospice refers to compassionate care of the terminally ill in the patient’s home, a nursing or personal care home, hospital, or another setting the patient considers home. Hospice is compassionate, professional care focused on the patient rather than the disease. Nurses, social workers, aides, clergy, and volunteers assist patients in living as comfortably, dignified, and completely as possible.
Mountain Hospice, Inc. began serving Barbour County in 1993 after an interest group formed Hospice of Barbour County. The name was changed to Mountain Hospice, Inc. when services expanded to Randolph County in 1994. In 1995, services extended to Tucker County as Hospice of Cheat River joined the organization. Now known as Mountain Hospice, Inc., the organization relies on Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, fundraisers, donations, and endowments such as the Shaffer Fund to meet patient needs.
“Mountain Hospice is growing, but we strive to keep that small-town feeling. Each one of our patients and their families and loved ones are very special to us,” said Hospice Director Patricia Arnett. “We are grateful for the generosity of this gift of endowment and are pleased to have such community support. We feel this shows that working together as a community, we are neighbor helping neighbor.” The board president of Mountain Hospice, Rev. Jay Sullivan, added, “We appreciate this great and generous gift. We acknowledge their commitment to Mountain Hospice, and we will strive to do as much as we can to serve the special needs of the terminally ill in this community.”
Mrs. Shaffer died June 20, 2006.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: In addition to the fund for Mountain Hospice, Inc., in 1993 Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer provided funding for the Herbert W. Clarkson Scholarship Fund in honor of Mrs. Shaffer’s uncle. At the same time they established the Mountain Hospice Fund, they also established the Harold W. and Ruth F. Shaffer Scholarship Fund.
