A Legacy of Support

Karen Place's role as a St. Tammany Parish Hospital Hospice volunteer is a gift to patients and families at a difficult stage of life. From simply helping out in the office to spending time in patients' homes so their caregivers can take time to themselves, Place makes a difference.

The 72-year-old retired nurse recently made an additional gift to Hospice: a change in her will that provides a Legacy of Caring Society bequest to the program.

"It feels wonderful to do it," says Place, whose mother and late husband were Hospice patients. "I understand firsthand how the program helps people."

Volunteers like Place are essential to Hospice operations, says Paula Toups, Director of Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care for St. Tammany Parish Hospital.

"We just can't do it without people like Karen Place," Toups says. "Their work is invaluable."

Charitable gift annuities and insurance policies are additional planned giving options to support specific STPH programs through St. Tammany Hospital Foundation. Planned gifts of any kind enable membership in the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation's Legacy of Caring Society and recognition on the Donor Wall of Honor in the Hospital lobby, noted Nicole Suhre, Foundation Executive Director.

The Foundation works directly with prospective donors to help them determine their best giving options for their own preferences and needs. "It is truly moving when someone expresses the desire to leave a legacy of support for the Hospital that lasts beyond their lifetime," says Suhre. "It's a story that needs to be shared."

For her part, Place says she feels great about her decision. "It feels good to know I'm giving something to this organization," Place says.

St. Tammany Hospital Foundation accepts donations in many ways from its friends and supporters. Personal and community support is vital to sharing in the Hospital's investment to ensure continued quality healthcare for you, your family, neighbors and friends. Your gift will be used wisely and well, a reflection of your generosity and concern for others. There are several opportunities available to you that support the Foundation. For more information on your options, contact Nicole Suhre, CFRE at 985-898-4171 or nsuhre@stph.org.