Honoring Linda Maggs
Paul Sirois, RH COO with Linda Maggs
In the final breakfast of the year, our Ridgefield friends and supporters united to honor a dedicated volunteer and community leader, while also celebrating the exceptional hospice care that is provided to all of our patients, young and old, due to generous community support like theirs. As a show of exactly how dedicated she is, our Community Leadership Honoree, Linda Maggs served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
A Ridgefield Leader
Linda Maggs has been a longtime fundraising volunteer on behalf of Regional Hospice, eagerly serving as the breakfast MC. In addition, she is an active member of the Ridgefield community, holding a variety of leadership roles in the Ridgefield Lions Club since 1990 including serving as District Governor.
Meeting a Blue-Eyed, Blonde-Haired Boy
As a reminder of why it is important to raise funds, Regional Hospice’s Pediatric and Perinatal Nurse, Chris Mastropietro, RN, CHPN, CHPPN shared the realities of her work caring for the youngest hospice patients and their families. Mastropietro introduced attendees to a blue-eyed, blonde-haired boy who had been in her care, and his adoring family members. She detailed his grieving mother lamenting, “This doesn’t happen to people. This just doesn’t happen.” A statement of disbelief relatable to anyone touched by the joy and promise of a young life.
A Need for Pediatric Care in Connecticut
Mastropietro explained that losing young lives does indeed happen, and when it does she and her fellow team members are eager to offer assistance. As the only hospice agency in Connecticut providing perinatal care, and one of the few to have such a highly-credentialed pediatric hospice specialist on staff, Regional Hospice is committed to serving the unique emotional, physical and spiritual needs of that patient population and their families.
Hospice Available to Everyone in Need
Following Chris’s eye-opening and heart-warming speech, Paul Sirois, COO for Regional Hospice explained that families with dying children often face a difficult financial burden in addition to the obvious emotional one. The money raised through community breakfasts and other fundraising activities is essential for the nonprofit to provide compassionate care. Sirois thanked attendees for their generous support which enables Regional Hospice to provide exceptional care to all patients and families in need.
Special Thanks
Thank you for all those who attended the event including our special guest of honor and Master of Ceremonies, Linda Maggs; Rabbi David Levy Reiner, MAHL; Paul Sirois, RH COO; Chris Mastropietro, RN, CHPN, CHPPN. And, special thanks to all of the generous organizations and individuals who provided raffle items, sponsored tables and purchased Commemorative Bells.
We are especially appreciative to the dedicated Ridgefield Giving Circles Members who so seamlessly organize this event on our behalf, including:
Anita Barrios
Josie Connolly
Deb Durkee
Bessie Krysiewich
Linda Maggs
Nancy Ollinger
Pat Pettit
MaryBeth Prunty
Pat Ruhl
Ellen Scott
For photos from the event, please visit our Facebook Page
