Hundreds of area teen-agers representing honor societies and Key Clubs from eleven school districts in Chautauqua County recently participated in the 14th annual Hospice Chautauqua County Memorial Bouquet Sale.
"Teens today have a lot going on in their lives, but we have witnessed first-hand how teens are eager to take time out of their busy schedules to contribute to the lives of the residents of the community they live in,'' said Ron Sellers, Hospice Chautauqua County president and chief executive officer. "The response to our request was incredible."
Students began selling the bouquets in October. The group selling the most bouquets would receive the services of a disc jockey, compliments of Hospice Chautauqua County, for one of its scheduled 2010 dances.
The more than 74 members of the Maple Gove High School Honor Society were the top sellers with more than 200 bouquets.
"Our students were excited about getting involved with the Hospice Bouquet Sale,'' said Julie Verdonik, one of the class advisers for the Maple Grove Honor Society. ''Many of our students were very familiar with Hospice because of personal experiences. Our members understand that by taking action and becoming involved they help to make their community a better place."
Along with Maple Grove, 10 additional school district Honor Societies and Key Clubs also participated in the sale: Brocton, Dunkirk, Falconer, Fredonia, Frewsburg, Jamestown, Maple Grove, Panama, Ripley, Sherman and Southwestern. The combined bouquet sales, of the students from the 11 districts were 879. A grand total of 1,400 bouquets were sold throughout Chautauqua County.
"The success we realized from the sale," Sellers said, "is not only due to the outstanding efforts put forth by these high school students, but through the continued support of local businesses, community agencies and many individuals who believe in the Mission of Hospice and want to make sure that patients and families are receiving the highest level of care during the end stages of a loved one's life."
In the past year alone, Hospice Chautauqua County cared for more than 700 patients and their families. For more information about Hospice services or to hold an event to benefit Hospice, call the Hospice Office at 338-0033.
