United Hospice of Rockland (UHR) Youth for Hospice (YFH) outgoing Vice President Kara Sciscente of Congers received the President’s Volunteer Award for her Volunteer Work with Youth for Hospice on June 7th. The award recognizes Kara for “helping to address the most pressing needs in your community and our country.”
The letter from President Obama says, “Your volunteer service demonstrates the kind of commitment to your community that moves America a step closer to its great promise…Thank you for your devotion to service and for doing all you can to shape a better tomorrow for our great Nation.”
Kara will graduate from Clarkstown High School North (CHSN) where she was elected to the National Honor Society Board of Directors. She will attend Syracuse University in the fall.
UHR Assistant Director of Development Lisa Denburg said, “Kara is such an energetic and positive person, always willing to offer assistance. She helped make so many of our YFH events successful including the Haunted House, annual Gala, Race, YFH Dance-a-thon, Cut-a-thon, and more."
Youth for Hospice was founded in 2008 by 12 sophomores at Clarkstown North High School in New City. Those girls have since graduated and now attend colleges including Duke, Tufts, University of Pennsylvania, Emory and Syracuse. The legacy they left behind continues to grow and the current membership of Youth For Hospice is comprised of boys and girls, freshmen to seniors, and has expanded to include students from several area high schools. Two satellite groups of students from Tappan Zee High School and Nyack High School were formed in Fall 2011.
Members of YFH assist at many of United Hospice of Rockland’s ongoing programs and events, including Hugs for Hospice, the Annual Walkathon, Trees of Life, Spring Gala, Africa Hospice Project and blood drives. Some members volunteer in the office as well. This year’s fifth annual Dance-A-Thon raised a record $18,000 to benefit United Hospice of Rockland.
United Hospice of Rockland (UHR) serves as a resource for palliative care, bereavement support, and information about end of life issues. Founded in 1988, United Hospice of Rockland is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and meets the Standards for Charity Accountability of the Better Business Bureau, Inc. In addition, UHR received a third consecutive 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator,. UHR's mission is to enable patients with advanced illnesses to live in comfort, with dignity, and surrounded by those they love. When time matters most, UHR provides care, comfort and improved quality of life to individuals and their families and offers compassionate support to members of the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one. For more information, call 845 634-4974, write to United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956, visit www.hospiceofrockland.org or fax to 845 634-7549.
