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Guest column

Know where your compassionate dollars are going

By ANTHONY J. PALUMBO
Published March 23, 2006

Since 1983, Hospice of Citrus County had been the sole provider of hospice and palliative services in Citrus County until June of 2005, when a second hospice program entered this service area.

Prior to there being more than one hospice provider serving Citrus County, when local fund raising activities benefited Hospice, there was no question that the money would support Hospice of Citrus County.

Since the new hospice program entered this service area, there has been confusion with claims that it purchased or merged with Hospice of Citrus County, or even that Hospice of Citrus County does not have the resources to do the job in Citrus County and has asked for the competition's assistance.

The community should be aware that none of these rumors hold merit, whatsoever.

For four years, the local Sportsman's Sertoma club has sponsored a horse show event to benefit Hospice of Citrus County's Camp Good Hope. Based on that tradition and our organization's longstanding relationship with Sertoma, donors and sponsors of this year's event assumed proceeds would again benefit Camp Good Hope.

However, a loyal event sponsor advised Hospice of Citrus County that when they questioned why fliers and newspaper advertising for this year's event failed to clarify to which organization the proceeds would be directed, Sertoma said the event this year would benefit both hospices.

Nothing is wrong with benefiting both programs. However, the reason given by this loyal event sponsor was that Sertoma believed that last year's contribution was misappropriated by Hospice of Citrus County and did not benefit Camp Good Hope.

This alleged misappropriation is entirely false and, at no time prior to the sponsor's disclosure to Hospice of Citrus County was Hospice of Citrus County ever questioned about the use of last year's contribution.

The event sponsor who advised Hospice of Citrus County of these accusations chose not to support this year's event because it thought the advertising by Sertoma was misleading. Hospice of Citrus County has learned from Sertoma that the misappropriation accusation came from a staff member working for the new hospice provider in this area.

Hospice of Citrus County maintains precise financial records that are audited annually. In 2005, Hospice of Citrus County proved our desire to maintain higher standards by earning Joint Commission Accreditation.

The community has never been denied access to information regarding where its support is directed. Camp Good Hope is a program of the ABC (All 'Bout Children) Division of Hospice of Citrus County. Through this special program, counseling services are provided to children of hospice families, as well as to any child in the community who has experienced a loss.

Referrals come from an array of community resources, including the Sheriff's Office, Citrus County school district, service organizations and the general community. It is the result of ongoing community support, including sponsorships, grants and funding from the United Way, that Camp Good Hope is offered to children free of charge.

In April, Hospice of Citrus County will host the 13th annual Camp Good Hope at Good Counsel Camp in Floral City. Increased demand and blessed community support has enabled Hospice of Citrus County to offer this special program twice annually.

Charities throughout Citrus County depend upon limited resources from local donors. Be an informed donor. Make certain that you know precisely where your compassionate dollars are going. Most importantly, talk directly to the organization you desire to support before writing any entity a check on the charity's behalf. Ask them how they intend to use the money you give and whether the funds will remain in Citrus County. Make certain that the money collected will be used as promised.

And, finally, please contact Hospice of Citrus County should you desire information or have concerns regarding our many services or where the community dollars are spent. We are proud of our quality and integrity as your hometown provider of hospice and palliative services and would love to hear from you.

Anthony J. Palumbo is the chief executive officer of Hospice of Citrus County Inc. Guest columnists write their own views on subjects they choose, which do no necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

[Last modified March 23, 2006, 02:15:42]