RALEIGH, N.C. -- A new inpatient hospice facility for Hospice of Wake County has received a $250,000 pledge from State Employees' Credit Union.
With plans to begin construction before the end of the year, the proposed facility consists of three buildings: a 19,000-square-foot Hospice House, a 26,000-square-foot community and administrative building and a 1,000-square-foot spiritual sanctuary. The Hospice House will have 14 acute-care beds, six residential beds and a space dedicated for families, including a kitchen, family room and playroom for children.
The community center will also feature a bereavement center and will provide space for community education programs, for children to take part in play and art therapy sessions and for adults to participate in counseling programs.
SECU's pledge is a matching gift to Hospice of Wake County's "Building Partners in Caring" capital campaign.
"This generous pledge by SECU members will help make it possible to build a permanent home for Hospice of Wake County, and allow us to deliver tender medical care to patients in a facility that is specifically designed for end of life," said Michael D. Blanchard, vice president of development for Hospice of Wake County.
David King, chairman of SECU Foundation's board of directors, said the pledge is in line with credit unions' people helping people philosophy.
"Many of our members have been touched by hospice care, so this is a very fitting project for the SECU Foundation," King said. "The pledge grant for Hospice of Wake County will give families even greater resources to deal with the medical and emotional aspects that come with the anticipated loss of a loved one."
--msamaad@cutimes.com
