a healing place: kids camp brightens lives

Each summer Optimal Hospice Foundation’s Kids Camp makes a difference in the lives of children who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. While the campers are participating in arts and crafts, games and other camping activities, painful feelings can be shared and acknowledged and coping skills learned to help them with the next steps of their grief journey.

The Foundation gets to see and hear so many stories and thank yous from the campers, their families, camp staff and volunteers. They reassure us of the importance of providing this healing place where kids can come to recognize that grief is a natural response to losing a loved one and it’s OK to just be a kid. We are sharing some of those voices with you here.

If you know a child who may benefit from Kids Camp or if you would like to be a sponsor, please see the camp details on page 7.

Thank you all for everything! My daughter enjoyed camp! She said it was the best ever...and that every single one of you were so sweet!

She really needed those couple of days.From Trisha after her daughter attended

the Bakersfield Camp last year.

After losing my grandparents everything in my family changed. I thought that I was the only one feeling this emptiness. After attending Kids Camp, I was connected with the most wonderful people ever and I learned that I wasn’t alone. The staff there are so genuine and loving and truly care for me and my family. The camp has brought me new friends and kids that have forever made an impact in my life. Being a camper and a volunteer has changed my life. I am forever grateful for the opportunities Optimal Hospice Foundation has given me.

Vivian first attended the Fresno camp in 2014 with her siblings. Since then she has returned twice to serve as a Jr. Counselor.

My daughter had the most fun at camp... the first thing she told me when she got off the bus is “I don’t want to go home yet.” I’m so happy that she was able to attend and meet new people who struggle everyday with the same thing she does so she knows she’s not alone. I was very impressed with the counselors and how much love they show the kids. From Jodi after her daughter attended the Bakersfield camp in 2016

After the camp, I had more self confidence

and was cheered up. It took me about two

months of practicing how to be who I had been

before, more talkative and outgoing. For me

and the others, the experience gave us back

our old selves.Nick attended the Bakersfield camp five years ago after

the death of his grandmother. Since attending he has

become a Jr. Counselor and Camp Ambassador. He and

his family have sponsored the camp and in 2017 he is

holding a fundraiser to support camp.

“Thank you for giving me my daughter back.”

From the Mother of a 10 year old who attend camp after her grandmother died.

SPRING 2017

A healing place: Kids Camp brightens lives

Continued on page 2

“We can’t say thank you enough!

Your staff was so awesome with

these kids and our girls both came

home with true smiles on their faces.

I can’t tell you how that makes my

broken heart feel. Monday marks one

year since we lost our boy and I am

so glad that the girls got this camp

experience to help ‘lighten’ a little bit

of a very hellish year.”

From the parents of sisters who lost

their brother in an accident. The girls

attended the Bakersfield Camp in 2016.

The oldest has already asked to come back

as a Jr. Counselor.

My daughter absolutely loved attending Kids Camp. She made so many new friends and got to have fun without focusing on the pain of losing her grandma. The camp has absolutely wonderful staff and volunteers. There was nothing but good words from my little one. It brought me to tears knowing that she had so much fun.From Christina after her daughter attended the Bakersfield camp in 2016.

“We learned it was ok to be sad and cry and talk about our feelings and

our Mom, and that it was also ok to laugh and have fun, that life goes on and we have to continue to live.” From sisters who attend camp in 2015 after their Mother died.

“I didn’t truly know how Kids Camp impacted

Jake and Brady until I asked the boys to

collaborate on a picture on what they

remembered from their day at camp. They got

to work drawing the balloon release; down to

the details as they talked about the ‘kid whose

balloon who got stuck in that tree’ and writing

the names of our loved ones on the balloons.

What struck me is that 9 year olds rarely

remember what they ate for lunch; let alone

one day eight months ago. They continued

happily drawing their loved ones in Heaven

smiling down with those balloons sent up just

for them. That one tugged at my heart.

Our families are thankful to Optimal for the

opportunity to give our boys tools for healthy

grieving in their young lives.”

Camp, continued from page 1

2 The Hospice Journey • Spring 2017

Applications and referrals for camp participants are now being accepted.

This innovative experience is available at no cost to families, thanks to generous support from the community. Please consider being a Kids Camp Sponsor.

See page 7 for more information.

“Being able to have been a part of this camp made

an impact in my life. I was able to be open and share

my feelings with people who wanted to help me in

the best way by giving me support and advice and

reminding me I am not alone. Thank you!”

Georgiana first attended the Fresno camp in 2014 with her siblings.

Since then she has returned twice to serve as a Jr. Counselor.

Submitted by Jake’s mother. Jake and Brady started their lifelong friendship in preschool. They attended the one-day Bakersfield camp in 2016.

Reserved Sponsored Table for 8 is $500 General Admission Tickets are $50

Tastings offered by Local Vendors

JI{{ (proceeds (}3enefit t.ie Optima{ Jfospice Poutufation

OPTIMAL HOSPICE FOUNDATION

Optimal Hospice Foundation is a 501 ( c)3 non-proflt organization established to commit its resources to activities intended to ensure hospice care & other compassionate programs are available for families facing a life-limiting illness with particular emphasis on the uninsured. Programs include hospice care funding & bereavement support including an annual Kids Camp for children who have experienced the loss of a love one.

Contact the Foundation Office for more information, sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets.

559-320-8000www .optimal hospicefoundation .com

26th AnnualGolf Tournament

GOLF IN THE SUN & UNDER THE STARSFriday, Sept. 8 • Stockdale Country Club • 3:30 p.m.

To register a team or for information on sponsorship opportunities, call (661) 716-8000.

Sponsorship & Registration Forms available at OptimalHospiceFoundation.com.

3 Play 9 Holes in the Sun3 Enjoy Dinner & Prize Drawing/

Auction3 Play 9 Holes under the Stars

with Glow Balls3 $150 Entry Fee

7001 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Saturday, Oct. 2810 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Open to ALL Vehicles Including Motorcycles

For event sponsorship, entry and vendor forms, call the

Foundation office at (661) 716-8000, email [email protected]

or visit www.OptimalHospiceFoundation.com.

at the Bakersfield RV Resort5025 Wible Road, Bakersfield, CA 93313

100% of net proceeds benefit Optimal Hospice Foundation

Presented by

S A V E T H E D A T E S • S P O N S O R S H I P O P P O R T U N I T I E S A V A I L A B L E


The following individuals and organizations generously contributed to Optimal Hospice Foundation from July through December 2016. On behalf of the patients and families we serve, thank you for your support.

A. L. Gilbert Company A. L. Powell Companies, Inc.Chrishna AcostaCharles AdamsChris & Bette AddingtonGlenn & Kay AdkinsMary Ellen AganAndea AguayoRachel AguilarJenny AinsworthAndres AlbaRuth AlcornBeverly AldacoJean AlgierIda AllenJudith AllenAlternative Care Gloria AlvaradoValerie AlvidrezAm-Tech Inspection Services Lori AmbroseAmerican AgCredit, FLCA Paul AmicoBessie AmosChuck & Olivia AndersonVickie AndersonAngelo & Sharon AndritsisRose ApodacaEsther ArambuloWilliam J AraujoConnie ArieasJoyce AschenbrenerCarolyn AshlockJudy AugerDerek & Linda AvilaNoreen AvilaRoger & Laura BabbJennifer BachmannDonald & Marilyn BaileyGene & Helen BaileyLouisse BakerBakersfield Family Medical

Center Bakersfield First Church of

the NazaraneBakersfield Purple Thunder Matthew BakichBank of America Charitable

Foundation Banta-Carbona Irrigation

District Juanita BarajasAnna Barberi Jerry BarkerAlisha BarnesChris & Christopher BarreraSharon BarretoElsbeth Bates

Thank You for Your Support

Frank & Vicki BavaroBB&T Insurance Services

of CA Gregory & Connie BeanRonnie & Barbara BeatyPatricia BeauchampMarion BeckmanBel Vista Healthcare Center Ann BellGene & Dawn BellerDavid BergNadine BergeronRufus & Linda BermudezJohn BertorelliJohn & Collleen BeseCheri BettencourtVera BettisPatricia BianchiDenise BiggsBoyd & Kelly BinningerHelen BishopZanya BivianoDaryl & Jackie BlackDennis BlackCynthia BlankenshipDavid & Debra BlouinShirley BoenMarjorie BoeseTeresa BoothMary BorruelLarry & Denise Boshers Jr.Zwany BosmaPatricia BowmanJohn & Peggy BoydstunRobert BoyerAubrey & Theresa BrawleyEarl & Cheryl BrayBrayton Purcell, LLP Deborah BrazieKristin Bret HarteTim BrewerMarilyn BriggsDorothy BrockIna BrookinsSheri BrowderJoe BrownRobert & Susan BrownBrad & Janet BryanLorraine BryanDavid V BucknerJoan BugniPhilip BurchJill BurgessJoyce BurtonTim BushWilliam & Sharon BushDarlene ByarsRebeca Byrne

Reno & Janet CaldwellThomas CaldwellDebbie CalesTim & Marilyn CallisonAnna CalvilloJody CampbellMarianne CamposPaul CamposTiffeny CantuIsabel F CarbonellJohn & Patricia CareyAl & Nadine CarrolCharles & Wanda Carter Rita CarterVern & Sue CarterMaria E CartwrightGreta CarverLisa CasasCarylon CastroEvelyn CathcartChristi CatheyBeatrice CavazosCCPOA Retired Chapter CCPOA-Wasco Chapter Marge CervantezKatherine CesareRonald & JoAnne ChadduckNancy ChadwellChain Cohn Stiles Michael ChamberlainMarianne ChaneyNancy ChaputMartin ChesleyBobby & Sandra ChiltonCiynthia ChingShirley ChollmanGerald & Julia ChowAlice ChristiansonRida CingelHelen ClarkShirley ClarkDoug & Janet ClaryLeighton ClaussenBrenda ClaytonEdna CloudYvette CloudKeith & Kimberly ClowNan CokeBobby & Cassie Coker Elma CokerMarion & Shirley CollinsColombo Construction

Company Linda CombsMary ConarroeGenevieve ConineCarl & Anita ConklinGregory & Keilie Connors

Theresa CookMichelle CooleyBen & Marlene CooperCheryl CooperBrian CostaAnnamarie CostamagnaMary CostamagnaTraleese CostonBeth E CowanJames & Patricia CowardKelly CoxEllen CozadBryan & Kerry CrabillCarol CraigJon CrawfordGary CreekRosie CritserFred & Mary CrosonDorothy CrothersYvonne CroxtonAlicia CruzJosie CruzRonald CuebaKathleen CulpepperAlfred & Ruth CunhaJeff & Deborah CurtinSusan DahlbergMarcia DahmNancy M DaileySarah DalyAntone & Carolyn DamasLarry & Christine DamasDanforth Elementary School LaVerne DanielsJennifer DaquioagMarilyn DaughertyDavid & Kathleen DavisEdward J DavisVergil & Mary DawsonDeborah De BoerJohn De LeeuwRosemary DelfinoAnna DelmageDelta Theta Tau Sorority-

Regional Christine DenningRobert & Janis DennisJoan DePompeiKenny & Kathy DevinSteven & Sandra DevinDonald & Beverly DeVolldEdna DevriesStephen DeweyMandeep DheerRobert Di RoccoIrina DiazChloetta DickeyDoug Dickson

Chris DierlGarry DixonDixon Golf, Inc. Bruce & Linda DodgeElida DonaldsonMarsha DonelsonHope DonovanSandra DotsonNancy DrayJane DrumrightPatricia Du Fosee Joe Tony & Joyce DucasDoris H DunhamRonlad DuvallTony & Terry DykesKira EarhartWilliam R. EdmondsTom & Marlene EdwardsLester EldridgeAmy ElliottKristine EllisTracy Embrey-HernandezArlene EndoIsabel EnosCatherine EnterlineSally ErrecartKen & Connie EspinozaMonica EstradaEvergreen Residential Care Shannon EzellKen FabrizioCarolyn FabryTeri FairchildGlenn & Barbara FanterMaxine FargasonFederated Insurance Jessie FernandezDana FerreiraHarvey & Carol FieldingRebecca FinkenTim FinnMyra FinneyAbby FioriTracy Fiorini-PriceLes & Margaret FisherJo Anne FittingCheryl FitzgeraldAdele FloresRaquel FloresRebecca FloresMarie FlynnValentino & Thelma FoglioTeijuana FoleyDorothy ForbisLeah FordThe Forsmann FamilyAlfred & Susan FoxMichelle N Fox

Spring 2017 • The Hospice Journey 5


Shon GuerreroClark & Pam GustafsonRaymond GuthrieMaria GutierrezVicki GutierrezJennie HaberlanderErnen & Cheri HabyAngelo HaddadKathleen HallMary HallRobert & Gloria HallSusan C.HallFreda HamiltonCharles HamlinKeith & Marylou HansenMarissa HansenDarrell & Janice HardyElizabeth HargousJanne HarlowSusan HarmonJackie HarrisRose HarrisSigrid HarrisStacey HarrisJack HartmanLoretta Harvill-BustamanteLinette HashimotoTyffany HawesScott HaworthTheresa HayesJoyce HebertRichard HedrickAshley HeltonEarl HensonMargaret HernandezMaria HernandezDonna HigginsSusan HilbertPatricia HildalgoMerilyn HilsabeckJoann HinojosGrace C HiranagaKathleen HixonAlice HoaglundJeff HodgesPhillip & Susan HogeBeverly HogueNicole HolatoJoan Holg-KerligerBradley & Donna HollandDennis HollenbeckDena HolleyDoc & Susan HollidayTeresa HolmesScott HolseyJoellen HoltHome Instead Senior Care

Foundation Robert & Charlene HornJoseph HouseLeah HuberJo Anne Huckins

Gloria HuertaTeresa HumphreyDiana HunnicuttKen & Dona HurtNancy HurtadoPat HustonShelly HutsellJo Ellen IchihanaJerry & Joyce IchordLeroy InfantePatricia JacksonArlene JacquesAnne JanseenKeri JeanesTodd JeffriesVirginia JeffriesCarol JettJackie JohnsonRonda JohnsonRoyce JohnsonAntonette JonasAnnette JonesDevan & Tiffanie JonesLillian JonesMax JonesSheryl JonesTraci JuarezVerne & Andrea JungBetty KanadyNabil & Pauline KaramRosarie KaribianPatrick KelleherJennifer KennedyLisa KennedySandy KieselJosefina KimmelWayne & Vickie KincaidBetty KingCarol King-GloverChristina KinneyAnna KirbyCharlie & Vicky KjerRichard A KjerRosalinda KlamorickDiana KliewerKathryn KnightFrances KnipperBasil & Barbara KnowltonDawn KnoxHerman KophoffNick & Kathleen KouklisMarily KrohFrank & Pam KuhsJosip KulovicPamela LacoeCharles & Linda LaDucaLaFonda Restaurant Claribel LagomarsinoHeidi LaheeJim & Mary LamatisMichael & Patricia LangstonSteve Larroque

Larry & Marilyn LattaEdith LaurinChristopher LawrenceLe Beau Thelen, LLP Marie LeagueMary LealDarlene LeeMelissa LehamLegacy Caleigh LeightyTerry LemburgKyle & Jorja LernerRobby & Christine LesterSharron LetsonShawn LetteerShanna LeViner-GonzalezTroy & Crystal LewellingKristen LidgettSteven & Starla LittleKeith & Laverne LoekSusan LongEthelyn Looy Jill LortscherPatrick & Juli LoschkeSharon LovellMaureen LucasCatherine LuederRonald & Janice LundyEdward & Stephanie LynchDeanna LyonsEdith LyonsSalemanesa MaapeShannon & Tracee MacaulayJoann MacDonaldMartha MacGillivaryAmy M. MacielNancy MaddenMary MadridLeila MalicoatNatallia ManerRachel ManiponDavid MannRobert MannLaura ManserJohn & Delores MarkellBlanca MarquezDonna MarquezJo Ann MarshallLloyd & Jill MartelBryon & Phyllis MartinJoanne A MartinAmando Martin Jr.Patricia MartinJesse & Donna MartinezLydia MartinezPam MartinezVeronica MartinezAlberto & Angela Martinez-

GuerraMarian MartinusenVito & Donna MasellisDr. Cecilia Massetti

Don MaxwellLon & Valerie MayerMarie MaysMedline Industries, Inc. Tony & Melissa MazzeiJohn Mazzeo Jr.Lisa McCarthyCarolyn McCleodCheryl McConaugheyTim and Delnita McCormickLouis McDonaldJames A McEwenNancy McGuyerLinda McKeanPeggy McLaughlinKathryn McMillinDonna McNamaraLionel & Deana McPetersBarbara MedinaJoan MedunicLisa MeehanLina MejiaNorma MejiaRobert & Laura MekemsonLorraine MelellaMax MendozaDorothy MerrittRobert & Virginia MerwinSandra MesenhimerTheodore MesserlianAllen & Margery MettlerBrandon MettlerEnrique MezaShelley MickelsonW H MilamLisa MilazzoAmanda MillerDonnie & Marian MillerHenry & Judith MillerPaul & Angela MillerDebra MilliganAmbrosia MirandaLorene MitchellGayle MiyasakiKim MollindoMonnich Farms Gregory & Brenda MonroeImogene MontgomeryLinda MontgomerySue MontgomeryVictoria MontufazPatti MoonFran I MooreKathrine MooreMonte MooreAdonias MoralesRose MoralesMorgan Stanley Lorraine MoriartyHarley Morrow Betty MyersBernie Myrick

Diane FranceVera FranclNieves FrancoPatricia FrancoRhonda FrankhouserElaine FrankianPeggy FranklinFraser Farms Robert FraustoCharlotte Free-KincyPatty Frances FrenesSteve & Mary FritzenRonald & Linda FugaziJoanne FukawaLibby FussellRalph GaardeEunice Mae GaleBonnie GallegosEric & Sheryl GaonaAntonio L GarciaMarcus GarciaSuzie GardnerColeen GarrattAdele GarrisonWynda GarrisonPat GassawayGEMCare Health Plan, Inc. Mary GentryJenee GeorgeJulie GeorgeLisa GernigianZabel GernigianF.L. & Mary GilletteKelly GilmoreJudy GintherLino & Linda GiovacchiniSharon GirkinsLaVonn GoehringAngie GonzalesEdna GonzalesEstella GonzalesLolis GonzalezSusana Gonzalez-AlcalaIsabel GoodWilliam & Kathleen GormanMarilyn GoschJoe GrahamStella & Roger GrahamWalter GraingerKathleen Grainger-SchafferMary Jean GravelineKaren GrayBonnie GreenKaren GreenRichard & Denise GreenShirley GreenJohn GreenelshGreenlawn Funeral Homes Nancy GreggDavid & Johannah GriffithHale GroverAngelita Guenther



Lynn NagataniSean NagelVirginia NapoleonCherie Napoleon-MaxwellLyzette NavarroLinda NelmsSteve A NelsonLinda NielsenLarry & Lenore NiesMarilyn NolanMark NowlinTrish NullyMartha Jean NylanderSharrel NymanO’Leary Office Products, Inc. Ernest H ObertQueenie OhanesianJanine OldfieldNatalie OliverTheresa OlsonLois OnsumBobbi OrelArt OrtegaStephanie OrtizDonna OsomoeNancy OvermanDeborah Overton-BlackmonPacific SouthWest Irrigation

CorpMarianne PackardRuby Lee PageLeroy & Diane PainterKeri Palumbo MurrayRosemary PanosianJoyce PapeLazaro ParadaMargarita ParaynoMichael & Sally ParisRobert ParkerLinda ParlierSheryl ParmeleeBarbara ParrottAmy & Aubry PattersonJoseph & Carol PaxiaJeff & Cherie PayneBrent PeabodyMary PeaseJim & Barbara PennerJaime PerezRita PerezRaquel Perez-ArcangelPatty PerryDonald & Denise PetersPeters Funeral Home Shirley PetersDana PetersonDorothy PetersonJanice C PetersonJudy PetersonPG&E Credit Operations &

PMT Joann Phillips

Tom PigottKathleen PinnickThe Plank Foundation Desiree PlattAlma Poblador-LopezJan PollardShirley PorterVicki PorterEmily PowellMaria PowellNeal & Cheryl PowellKeith & Natasha PowersRoger PowersPrecious Metal Refining

Services Sharron PriceRandy & Maryann PriestRegina PryorJose Pulido JrVanessa PulidoMary Ann PutmanKenneth & Deborah PutnamKristine Raasch-MagalhaesChris & Natalie RadachJocelyn RaeseEva RamirezSandra RamirezMarlene RamosRick RamosDale & Linda RankinBetty RayShirley RealAlbert & Carolyn ReceveurPatricia RechHarold ReedThomas & Annette ReedWilliam & Julia ReedMarlene ReevesJudy Regotti-AlexanderMichael RegpalaGerald & Margaret ReimerThe Remodel Depot Michelle RequejoRevitalizing Properties LLC Balvi ReyesMayra ReynaMary ReynoldsPatty RichLinda RichardDeborah RichardsonPaul R. RichardsonGeorge RichmannRIFT Carol RigbyRaymond & Martha RiosSylvia RiosBrian RoachElizabeth RobertsPat & Connie RobertsPatrick & Connie RobertsKeith & Janice RobertsonMonique Robles

Debra RochaAmber RogersDave RomeroKim RoosLisa RootJennifer RosasDawn Ross-SchultzRoy & Lydia RoweFrank RussellAndrew H RustanS. C. Anderson, Inc. Albert SaRichard SalgadoRuth SalvatoreAlfred SamoraNorman & Roberta SandersLisa SandovalYolanda SandovalSan Joaquin Community

Hospital Joann SantosRita SantosCarla SarkisianMalena SarrafianLizeth SaucedoRyan & Carol SaulMargaret ScarroneDonna SchartonDonald SchlagelJames & Sandra SchleicherCarl Schmidt Amber SchneiderRobert SchockIla SchoettlerThomas & Linda SchubertKenneth SchultzPatricia SchulzCarol SebestaGary SeegersMatthew SempreLaura Sereno-JensenAnne Lee ShackelfordFay ShanholtzerHenry M SheaMike SheelaSylvia SheeranJeff & Sarah ShelbourneClaudia SheltonKatherine SheridanJefferson ShermanMike & Karen ShermanKathryn ShinnCherie ShoemakeEdward ShortallGaye SiemonLatessa SierraTeresa SifuentezLisa SilvaMaria Guadalupe SilvaArmando & Cindy SilvestreRea SimpsonDonald & Emma Sipe

Dorothy SirmanRobert SkaggsJohanna SmallLynne SmallLinda SmithRyan SmithJanet SnetzingerL. R. SniderDonald & Ellen SnowKatalyn SohayPatricia M.SolisRudy SolorioDale SorensenIrene SorianoRoger SornsenBarbara Joan SouzaDavid & Mary SowardsRichard & Donna SpenceSusan StackKathleen StacySophie StamoulisDiana StandridgeJudy SteinDiane SteitzHazel SteitzStanley & Evelyn StewartAnna Marie StolteAlbert M StoneBurnell & Judith StoneCindy StoneDorothy SullivanEric SummersKyra SupponJean D. SwanChuck & Margaret SwansonLori SweetBarbara TapaGeorge & Bessie TavernasClayton TaylorDeborah TaylorHenry TaylorSandra TaylorSharon TaylorDonald & Elizabeth TayntonLorena Tejeda MendezDebra A TeofiloSam TeragouchiChristina TesoGeraldine TessmanWilliam Erik TewStephen & Barbara ThatcherCandida ThomasJuanda ThomasRay & Marilyn ThomasRufus & Dianne ThomasJames & Claudia ThomsonRose ThornThunder on the Mountain Car

Show Susan TillotsonHerb & Mary ToewsDanielle Tohme

Judith A.TompkinsJayne TooleyDorothy TorbikDennis & Janice TornoShirley N. TorresSummer TorresLinda TostiSheila TownsendDanny & Dolly TroutMichael & Debra TuckerShamara TurnerTheresa TurnerTerence TwomeyAshley UpshawLisa UrandayDulce Uribe ChavezRachel UribeMay UyekuboSherrie Van MatreKim VanDeVenterVernon & Janis VarnerMaria VasquezDavid VazHeather VelezJeanne VetterMary VickeryGabriel & Veronica VillaAbner VillarrealVisalia Breakfast Lions Visalia Seventh-Day Adventist

Church Sharon ViseSonny VlachosLe VuW. A. Thompson, Inc. Murrill & Linda WagonerAndrew WahrenbrockJudy WalkerMichael & Marie WalkerCathy WallacePam WallaceJason & Heidi WalleThomas & Suzanne WandCathy WardCheryl WardRichard & Ann WarnKurt WarnerMia WarrenKimberly WatkinJoanie WatkinsTheresa WatkinsCarol Ann WattsMichael & Jackie WatzKristy WebbCynthia WeberElaine WeinbergPhilip & MaryellenMyron & Judith WeltonWell-Being Senior Solutions Wells Fargo Bank Larry & Dolores WendtDonald Wery

Spring 2017 • The Hospice Journey 7

Terri WheelerJoanne WheldenDuane & Lynne WhislerJanice WhitakerRay WhitakerWally WhitakerSibley & Eileen WhiteGary WhitehurstCarol WhitesideRobert & Sue WhitmoreMary WhittenCynthia WillformChristine WilliamsDiane WilliamsEllaine WilliamsEsla WilliamsJulie WilliamsMichael & Krisann WilliamsPaige WilliamsonJon Wilson

Linda Izant WilsonLisa WiseGary WissinkEdward & May WongWayne WoodPatricia WoodyJohn WorleyRobert & Mary Jo WorleyJerri YandellRosa Yanez EspinozaY-Farms David & Barbara YrigoyenAngela ZamudioJanelle ZaragozaRichard ZarandinMaria ZavalaThe Zenith Insurance

Company Ron & Karen Zimmerman

Thank you to our generous Optimal Health Services employees who are

included in this list. Together they gave more than $70,000 in 2016 through the

Optimal Employee Giving Campaign.

If you know a child who has suffered the loss of a loved one in the recent past, you’ve probably struggled with how to provide comfort to him or her. Optimal Hospice Foundation can help.

The Foundation is now accepting referrals for Kids Camp 2017, to be held this summer in Bakersfield, Fresno and Northern California.

This 2½ day overnight camp provides kids a safe environment to find healing and peace through games, activities and common fellowship with each other. Bereavement counselors are on site to work with children who may need one-on-one time and attention. The camp is open to any child in the community even if their loved one didn’t utilize hospice services.

Thanks to the generous support of businesses and individuals, the Foundation provides this service at no cost to campers.

MODESTO

BAKERSFIELD

Thank youFRESNO KERN RIVER VALLEY

LONG BEACH

STOCKTON TAFT TEHACHAPI

to our 2016 sponsors

Roger S. Good Cancer Center

PORTERVILLE

Kids Camp 2017 — Refer a child, Become a sponsor

• Our 3rd Annual NorCal Kids Camp for ages 8 to 16, hosted by The Taylor Family Foundation, will be August 18–20 at TTFF at Camp Arroyo in Livermore.

If you would like to refer a child or sponsor a camper, contact your local Foundation office (see back page for information). More information and referral forms are available at OptimalHospiceFoundation.com and Facebook.com/OptimalHospiceFoundation. Referral forms may be submitted year round.

• The 24th Annual Bakersfield Kids Camp will be held: Sunday, July 30 – Tuesday, August 1 at Gergen Ski Ranch for ages 9 to 12 Wednesday, August 2 – Friday, August 4 at Gergen Ski Ranch for ages 12 to 16 Saturday, July 29 (one day) at Madison Grove Park for ages 6 to 9

• The 13th Annual Fresno Kids Camp will take place July 7–9 at Camp Oakhurst for ages 8 to 16.

Nonprofit Org.US Postage

PAIDBakersfield CA

Permit 873

FOUNDATION LOCATIONS

FOUNDATION OFFICE1315 Boughton DriveBakersfield, CA 93308(661) 716-8000

COMMUNITY OFFICES

Bakersfield1675 Chester Ave., #401Bakersfield, CA 93301(661) 716-8000

Kern River Valley6504 Lake Isabella Blvd, #ELake Isabella, CA 93240(760) 379-5038

Bay Area3375 Scott Blvd, #410Santa Clara, CA 95054(408) 207-9220

Fresno6780 North West Ave., #101Fresno, CA 93711(559) 320-8000

LancasterNew location(661) 802-7331

Long Beach5000 E. Spring St., Suite 525Long Beach, CA 90815(562) 494-7687

Modesto1101 Sylvan Ave., #B-10 Modesto, CA 95350(209) 338-9000

Stockton3461 Brookside Rd., #A2Stockton, CA 95219(209) 338-9000

Visalia2439 West Whitendale Ave., #BVisalia, CA 93277(559) 334-5120

Support groups available through Optimal Hospice CareThese groups are open to the public and offered free of charge.

BAKERSFIELDTuesdays 10–11:30 a.m.Thursdays 6–7:30 p.m.First United Methodist Church4600 Stockdale Hwy., Room 4Foundation: (661) 716-4000Counseling available en Español

CERRITOSGroup Sessions Offered Call for informationThe Grover at Cerritos – Assisted Living11000 New Falcon WayFoundation: (562) 494-7687

FRESNOMondays 3–4:30 p.m.Fairwinds – Woodward Park9525 Ft. Washington Rd.2nd Thursdays 5:15–6:30 p.m.Somerford Place6750 N. Marks Ave. Foundation: (559) 320-4000Counseling available en Español

HUNTINGTON BEACHGroup Sessions Offered Call for informationHuntington Terrace Assisted Living18800 Florida St.Foundation: (562) 494-7687

LAKE ISABELLAWednesdays 1–2:30 p.m.Optimal Hospice Care Office6504 Lake Isabella Blvd., Ste. EFoundation: (760) 379-5038

LONG BEACHGroup Sessions Offered Call for informationOptimal Hospice Care Office5000 E. Spring St., #525Foundation: (562) 494-7687

MADERA1st & 3rd Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.–NoonCedar Creek Senior Living Center500 N. Westbury Blvd.Foundation: (559) 320-4000Counseling available en Español

MODESTOGroup Sessions Offered Call for informationOptimal Hospice Care1101 Sylvan Ave., Ste. B-10Foundation: (209) 338-3000

PORTERVILLE2nd & 4th Thursdays 10:30 a.m.–NoonSierra Hills Retirement Center2500 West Henderson Ave.Foundation: (559) 741-7220Counseling available en Español

1315 Boughton DriveBakersfield, CA 93308(661) 716-8000

The Hospice Journey is published by Optimal Hospice Foundation

SANTA CLARAGroup Sessions Offered Call for informationOptimal Hospice Care3372 Scott Blvd., Ste. 410Foundation: (408) 207-9222

STOCKTONGroup Sessions Offered Call for informationOptimal Hospice Care3461 Brookside Road, Ste. A2Foundation: (209) 670-8000

TAFTWednesdays 1–2:30 p.m.First Baptist Church220 North St. BoardroomFoundation: (661) 716-4000

TEHACHAPITuesdays 1:30–3 p.m.Tehachapi Senior Citizens Center500 East F St.Foundation: (888) 597-6115

VISALIA2nd & 4th Tuesdays 3–4:30 p.m.Optimal Hospice Care2439 W. Whitendale Ave., Ste. BFoundation: (559) 741-7220Counseling available en Español

KID’S GRIEF CONNECTION — Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton and Visalia:Call area numbers for details

In the Fresno area?

Join us for Lakeside Wine

Tasting April 29.See page 3 for details.

a healing place: kids camp brightens lives

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