The ceremony featured a special announcement. A gift has been pledged by Stanley and Elizabeth Star which will result in the residence being named the Star Hospice House.

After a little more than a year since the Our House campaign began, CHPC campaign staff and volunteers have raised nearly $1.7 million, about 80% of the campaign goal. The Star’s recent legacy gift boosted the fundraising effort and provided renewed momentum as the campaign enters the holiday season.

“We are honored that Stanley and Elizabeth Star made the hospice residence a priority for our community,” said Mary Rappole, campaign co-chair. “This gift moves us well along toward our goal and demonstrates the high personal value they have for the care Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care provides.”

Stanley and Elizabeth Star are lifelong residents of the Dunkirk area. Stanley Star devoted his career to the family fruit juice and private-label business, Cliffstar Corporation, that began as his family’s 19th century winery.

Elizabeth and Stanley Star are pictured. Submitted photo

The Stars were active with many charities in the Northern Chautauqua community throughout their lives until the sale of the company in 2010 when they began spending more time in Naples, Fla. The Stars remain active in the Naples area performing charity work. When they are relaxing they enjoy yachting, golfing and spending time with Stanley’s three children and five grandchildren.

The Stars have been keeping a very low profile lately and chose not to participate in-person at the ground breaking. In a written statement the Stars said, “We are pleased and proud to support the Our House Campaign and this very important need in our community.”

The Stars also are inspired by the author, entrepreneur and motivation speaker, Jim Rohn, who best summarizes their feelings about philanthropy: “One person caring about another represents life’s greatest value.”

“The generosity of the Stars is truly inspiring,” said Shauna Anderson, Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care president and CEO. “We are so fortunate to have been able to share the vision for our residence with them and now count them among our supporters.”

As a safety precaution, the ground breaking ceremony did not include a live audience and participation was kept to campaign and Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative care leadership. A video that recorded the event including statements by stakeholders and campaign volunteers will be available for viewing on the Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care website on Monday.

The first stage of construction will be the renovation of the existing structure, which has begun. Following the completion of that work, construction of the addition that will house the patient rooms will commence. The Star Hospice House is expected to be operational in mid-2021.

Reflecting on the year of fundraising that has gotten the Campaign to within striking distance of it’s goal, co-chair Bert Rappole said he finds great satisfaction in leading the charge.

“Palliative and Hospice care have always had special meaning to me as a physician,” he said. “During this campaign I have been overwhelmed by the caring concern of members of our community who, after the public announcement, spontaneously made substantial donations to support the building of the Hospice House.”

To take a virtual tour of the facility and learn about the campaign, visit www.chpc.care/hh.

For more information, call (716) 338-0033, ext. 201.