Why Your Donation Matters
To found the VNA in 1906, a small group of philanthropic Burlington women turned to their neighbors to support home health care for individuals and families. They collected donations to help, in the words of Co-Founder Julia Smith Wheeler, “all who turn to us in their time of need.”
More than 100 years later, your VNA is still dependent on contributions of all sizes from individuals and families, organizations and companies, foundations and the United Way, and from every town and city in our two-county area. No gift is too small. No gift is too large.
With your support, we are able to provide care for 5000 people and their families each year, regardless of their ability to pay. With your support, we are able to pioneer new programs to meet the changing needs of our community. And, with your support, we are able to ensure the availability of VNA services for generations to come.
Does your donation matter? We think Christa’s letter says it best.
“As a homeless woman, my Mom had very little to her name when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with a terminal illness at just 53. I was so concerned that after 10 years of living day by day, my Mom's last days would be spent in a harsh, unsafe environment. My younger brothers and I were not able to assist our mother physically or financially so I swallowed my pride and went to speak with Sharon at the VNA’s Vermont Respite House. She agreed, so kindly, to welcome my mother to be cared for in the house with no requirement for payment.
I was elated to witness the love, compassion, dignity and respect that my Mom received from all of the nurses, house staff and volunteers of Respite House. What remains so strong in my memory is that they allowed her to spend her last days with comforts that everybody else seems to take for granted - yet she hadn't had for years: a bed, pajamas, food and baths.
I wasn't able to be at my Mom's side the moment she died, but I spoke to those who surrounded her as she took her last breath. These were people who loved and respected my mother - yet knew very little of her. What an amazing gift. I owe so much to Vermont Respite House because they made what would have been a traumatic and endlessly sad situation to be a perfect situation and one that I can smile about... certainly not that my mother died, because I miss her so terribly - but in HOW she died, WHERE she died and WHO was holding her hands as she died.”
Each situation is different. Some people can pay for their time at Respite House. Some cannot. Christa’s story is one example of why your donation matters.
If you'd like more information about the charitable care mission of your VNA, please contact Martha Lunbeck at (802) 860-4436 or lunbeckREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vnacares.org or write to us at:
Martha Lunbeck
Director of Development
Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties
1110 Prim Road
Colchester, Vermont 05446
- Federal Tax ID (EIN) #
- 03-0179603