Hospice News
Essex County, NJ -- “The hands of those who sew these bears are truly blessed,” says Fairfield Resident Rosalie Lepinsky, as she shares the story of picking up a Memory Bear from Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center (BHHPCC) in West Orange. The Bear, created in memory of her mother, Lena Leno, is one of hundreds hand-crafted each year by the BHHPCC BearHugs Volunteer Team. Mrs. Leno passed away in April 2011, at the age of 89, while being cared for by BHHPCC. She would have celebrated her 90th birthday this past Halloween.
-and-leno.jpg)
“Following the loss of a family member or friend, many people are comforted by an item of clothing, such as a favorite sweatshirt or t-shirt, which was worn by their loved one,” says Susan Engel, MSW, LCSW, ACHP-SW, Director of Social Work and Counseling, BHHPCC. “Memory Bears, as they are known, are made using the favorite garment(s) of a person who passed away while receiving services from BHHPCC.”
Mrs. Lepinsky was overcome with emotion when her Memory Bear was presented to her with a hand-written note from the Bear’s creator. “It was packaged so beautifully. It was like I made a purchase at a high-end store.”
“My mom was a soft-spoken, gentle soul – she was my best friend,” adds Ms. Lepinsky. “She may no longer be with me physically, but I carry her spirit with me in her Memory Bear. I can hold ‘her,’ talk with ‘her’ and ‘feel’ her presence.”
Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center’s BearHugs program is actively recruiting volunteer designers, quilters and crafters to make handcrafted “Memory Bears” for grieving families whose loved one has passed away on the hospice program. Intermediate sewing skills are a prerequisite for participation.
For information about becoming a BearHugs volunteer, please call Spiro Ballas, Volunteer Coordinator, at 973-322-4866 or email sballas@barnabashealth.org.
For more information about Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center, please visit www.barnabashealthhospice.org.
Date: December 5, 2011
Contact: Lisa Tortorello
Public Relations: ltortorello@barnabashealth.org
973-322-4924
[ top ] [ back to
News Index ] |
