AROUND TOWN: Campaign donors have sneak peek at hospice headquarters
Martha Barton is smiling, and with good reason.
During the 33-year history of Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, this president and CEO as well as her predecessors had always leased space for the growing nonprofit.
At a reception Aug. 15, she said that in early 2009 it had been announced that the old St. Francis Hospital where they were located would shut down and was for sale. “This presented a unique opportunity,” said Barton.
They temporarily leased space at the new St. Francis Medical Center and in August 2011 launched a $7 million WE CARE Capital Campaign. At the reception just one year later, campaign donors had a sneak peek at the sunny, art-filled new headquarters in a former high-tech building at 2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street that they own. “We sit atop Tenderfoot Hill,” said Barton. “Isn’t that a great name!”
The $7 million goal is 90% complete, eliciting smiles from co-chairs Sharon Hare and Bill Berenz and happy tears from Barton.
The headquarters building includes the business offices, the foundation headed by Joan Selman, skilled nursing facilities, family support, a Center for Grief and Loss, a specialized pharmacy, education facility and commemoration space.
Now they have launched the community portion of the campaign for the final $600,000+, with donations made online at pikespeakhospice.org. A community open house is 5-7:30 p.m. Sept. 19.
Also part of the campaign were the Pikes Peak Hospice Unit at Penrose Hospital, an acute care inpatient unit, and money for an additional inpatient care unit at another location as the community grows.
There to enjoy what she had co-founded years ago was Susan Langstaff, who wore a pin from the other founder, her friend, the late Flo Carris. Langstaff had passed along her personal hospice pin to Barton.
Campaign donors had maps to navigate the new hospice facility.
Among the donors at the jam-packed who’s who reception were David and Susie Jenkins, Michael Legend, Ed and Mary Osborne, Susan Davis, Janet Wilcox, Margot Lane, Brian Wagner, Vince Colarelli, B.J. Hybl, Dr. Patrick and Kris Faricy, Paul and Mari Sinton-Martinez, Barbara Yalich, Carla Hartsell and Jeff Rosacker.
