People who work with the terminally ill are reminded by their patients in ways subtle and obvious to treasure the everyday beauty of life and celebrate its milestones. So on a recent February evening beneath a pink-blue sky, Hospice by the Sea did just that. The nonprofit organization celebrated its 35th Anniversary and the equally long record of providing care in Broward County.
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(l-r) Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler presents Hospice by the Sea President and CEO, Paula J. Alderson the Proclamation of February 12, 2013 Hospice by the Sea Day as Ft. Lauderdale. They are joined by Romney Rogers, Ft. Lauderdale City Councilman. |
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Friends and supporters, clinicians and executives gathered on the rooftop of the Himmarshee Landing building on Las Olas Boulevard, where Hospice by the Sea has offices, enjoyed the refreshments, talked lively among themselves and listened to music by a string quartet of the Florida Intergenerational Orchestra. Many of the conversations were about the agency’s venerable history, others about its future.
Hospice founder Mary Harrison said that the mission for the next 35 years was to reach the vast number of people in need of hospice services in the two counties of Broward and Palm Beach. “Since our incorporation we have served both communities,” she said, “but tonight it is especially great to be here in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.”
City Commissioner Romney Rogers chatted with fellow Stranahan High alumni who grew up in Fort Lauderdale and said he was proud that a Hospice by the Sea office is in the electoral district he represents.
When Mayor Jack Seiler arrived he recalled having been present on the occasion when the organization opened its Las Olas office. Asked about his impression of the hospice today he allowed that, from his service in the Florida legislature, he knew not all hospices were the same. “This one is doing things the right way,” he said.
President and CEO, Paula Alderson, thanked hospice donors and volunteers and recognized Marian Pearlman Nease, chairman of the board, and board members Mike Arts and Randy Nobles. Earlier in the evening Marian Pearlman Nease had said she was drawn to serve on the board not because it was glamorous hydrocodone online, but because she knew from the beautiful care that a loved one received on Long Island that hospice makes a profound difference.
Paula Alderson introduced Mayor Seiler who read an official proclamation recognizing the organization for its commitment to Ft. Lauderdale and Broward County, lauding the hospice for its care of those most vulnerable, and resolving to designate February 12, 2013 as Hospice by the Sea 35th Anniversary Day in Fort Lauderdale. In conclusion he said, “You continue to do everything you promise to do!”
In her prepared remarks Mary Harrison said that the lesson she learned from organizing the hospice 35 years ago was, “When you see a need, you don’t know any better than to just take care of it.” She estimated that Hospice by the Sea touched approximately 18,000 lives in the past year. “It’s a blessing to be here and I ask you all to ‘just do it!’ ” she concluded.
The mayor presented a toast, saying, “To 35 years honoring life with dignity and compassion, we appreciate everything that hospice does.” As the orchestra struck up to play, a big cake alight with sparklers and with the Hospice by the Sea logo was rolled out, and the crowd joined in singing Happy Anniversary. The hard work was being acknowledged, the future glimpsed. It was the celebration of a major milestone for a legendary local institution committed to the value of life.
