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Date: 8/23/2018
CHICOPEE – For 84-year-old Harmony House founder Ruth Willemain it started with an idea – to provide a home-like environment and compassionate care for the terminally ill who have few – or no – resources or relatives to help them at the end of life.
Today the volunteer caregivers, companions, licensed nurses – and a few paid staff – at Harmony House are caring for two patients in its Pendleton Avenue residence, a house donated in 2017 by a compassionate family that believed in Willemain’s vision.
“Here we try to provide the best life [patients] can have, until death happens,” Harmony House Co-President Amy Corcoran told Reminder Publishing. “Though they are terminally ill, they still have a lot of living to do. We want them to still live. We want them to enjoy life. We want their friends to come and visit and laugh [and] we want to help them and their family through the process.”
But this work requires funds. So to continue Harmony House’s mission and maintain their operating budget of approximately $12,000 a month the 501C-3 non-profit organization – which operates entirely on donations from individuals, businesses and foundations – has announced a number of fall fundraising events, beginning next week.
“Right now we’re pretty good, but to sustain that [figure] is difficult because you don’t always get the same amount of donations each month. It’s always a challenge,” Corcoran said.
The fundraisers will include: On Aug. 29, the Villa Rose Restaurant, located at 1428 Center St. in Ludlow, will be donating 20 percent of lunch and dinner sales – including take-out orders – to Harmony House.
On Sept. 15, the Pioneer Valley Harley Owners Group will host a Poker Run with Harmony House as the designated charity. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Southampton Harley Davidson, 17 College Highway, Southampton; run ends at the View Street Tavern, 92 View St., Chicopee. Cost is $25 rider, $20 passenger. Rain date is Sept. 16.
On Sept 27 from 5 to 7 p.m., the Portuguese American Club, 149 Exchange St., Chicopee, hosts the Annual Harmony House Benefit Dinner. This year’s menu includes pot roast, chicken francaise, side dishes and dessert; plus music and raffles! Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children six to 12 years of age. Children under age 5 are admitted free.
On Oct. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., the Portuguese American Club, 149 Exchange St., Chicopee, hosts Harmony House’s Third Annual Beer & Wine Tasting. This over-21 event will include beer and wine samples from multiple brands and breweries, plus hors d’ouevres, raffles and door prizes. Tickets are $25.
For more information on any of these upcoming fundraisers call 413-331-5252, visit www.harmonyhouse.org or check out the nonprofit’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HarmonyHouseWMA/
Looking to the future, Willemain, who was inspired to found Harmony House after visiting a similar non-profit private home for the terminally ill in the Midwest, and her volunteers believe they can do more. The non-profit has purchased and is renovating another home on View Street in Chicopee that could provide space for eight patients in the future. Corcoran said the non-profit would be announcing a capital campaign to raise funds for these renovations shortly, with a goal of approximately $500,000.