By Nicholas Cafalone, Contributing Writer
Oswego, NY – The Oswego County Hospice held its 12th annual Oswego County Hospice Cup Regatta this past weekend to raise money and awareness for its organization.
The races were held on Lake Ontario at the Oswego Harbor and hosted by the Oswego Yacht Club at the International Marina.
Winner of the this year’s regatta was Kirk Reynolds, who raced his J-24 “Mean Green” to victory over the course of three races. Reynolds also won last year’s regatta.
“This is our biggest fundraiser,” said Debbie Bishop, executive director of Oswego County Hospice. “We raise anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000 a year at this event.”
Just as they has done the year before the Oswego County Hospice Cup Regatta was able to raise more than $20,000 to benefit the patients who receive services of the Oswego County Hospice and their families.
The regatta races began at 10 a.m. and a spectator’s boat, a restored tugboat, the Laura D, was available for anyone that wanted to catch the action from the water.
At 4 p.m. there was also a reception and a silent auction held to help raise additional support for the Oswego County Hospice.
According to Bishop, sailboat regattas that benefit hospice started in the Virginia/Maryland area abut 20 years ago.
There are now about 28 different hospice regattas throughout the country that are races specifically to raise money for local hospices.
Funds raised at the regatta help the Friends of Oswego County Hospice provide financial resources to help maintain hospice programs like the Hospice Volunteer Program and Camp Rainbow of Hope, a free camp for children who have experienced losing a loved one.
Oswego County Hospice also hosted a 5k Walk/Run race at Culkin Hall on the SUNY Oswego campus to help raise funds.
On average, the Oswego County Hospice helps care for anywhere between 150 to 200 persons annually.
The Oswego County Hospice offers home care for terminally ill persons who are no longer receiving aggressive or curative medical care.
Some of the services offered are registered nurse visits, bereavement counseling, pastoral visits, home health aide visits and a registered nurse on call for consultation.
For further information contact Oswego County Hospice by phone at 315-349-8259 or online at http://oswegocounty.com/health/hospice.html
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