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Perfect Peaches 2019

August 27, 2019 by TRU Community Care

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 1^st Annual Perfect Peaches fundraiser! On August 17, 25 TRU staff and volunteers spent a fun morning greeting customers, loading cars with fresh Palisade peaches, and sharing stories about our connections to TRU Community Care.

The summer tradition of enjoying peaches from the Western Slope brings support to TRU, Colorado’s first hospice, from across the state with a truckload of peaches from White Orchard in Palisade. Farmer Ray White, a long-time hospice supporter says, “Working with hospice keeps the peaches rolling out the door and helps people receive the care they need. It’s been a great experience to work with TRU and to see how the community pulls together to make it happen. I’m proud to provide quality peaches each year.”

Local businesses also rally to support our mission. Superior Towing donates the tractor-trailer and driver to transport the fruit from Palisade to Lafayette. AAA Barricade provided the cones that allowed us to create our peach pick-up drive-thru. Our printing partner, MailGraphics, even lent us a pallet jack. Event sponsors, Ewing Leavitt Insurance Agency and Boulder Community Health, provide generous underwriting for the event which raises funds to support TRU’s mission to affirm life at every step of your journey with illness and loss. We’re grateful to our many 2019 Event Series sponsors, too!

You never even have to get out of your car…

We’ve heard from several people (and know from the countless peaches we’ve consumed ourselves in the past week) that we made the right decision to push back pick-up by one week to allow the peaches more time to ripen. We’ve also been pleased to receive glowing feedback about how organized, streamlined, and seamless our pick-up process was. It takes a village!

Peach with an attitude…
Great customer service!
We love our mascots

Here is a link to some of our favorite pictures from the morning on Facebook. Thank you to volunteer photographer Gregg Lowrimore for coming out at 5:00 a.m. to capture the entire morning!

We are so glad that so many people took time out of their day to be with us. If you were unable to participate, we missed you and hope you can make it next year!

2018 Annual Report Now Available

August 21, 2019 by TRU Community Care

TRU Community Care is pleased to share with you our 2018 Annual Report. This publication captures TRU’s 2018 accomplishments and milestones, and it highlights how our staff and volunteers support our community members throughout their journeys with illness and loss. We appreciate this opportunity to reflect on our impact and hope that you enjoy the information and stories we have compiled.

We invite you to view our 2018 journey where you will learn more about:

TRU programs and history
Stories highlighting powerful TRU moments
Financial summaries
Details about TRU’s Veteran program
Impact of TRU volunteers
TRU Thrift Shop’s new look
Event recaps and few dates to save for 2019

From all of us at TRU, we offer you sincere thanks for being a part of our community.

Please consider making a donation today in support of our work!

To read more by TRU Community Care, please visit https://www.trucare.org/blog.

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Veteran Pinning – Arthur Sidney Roberts

July 31, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

Arthur Sidney Roberts served in the United States Navy for four years on an oil tanker during the Korean War. One of his fondest memories while in service, Art (as he prefers to be called), traveled to Australia and visited Christ Church during the same time period that President Eisenhower was touring the island nation. To this day, Art still brags how he has been to both poles while serving his country.

As an ordained minister, Art had the honor of presiding over his granddaughter’s wedding last month, just days after being diagnosed with ALS. He represents America with a love of family, country, and baseball. In fact, Art played on a softball league at 83 years old until this past March. He finished his softball season allowing only one walk as a pitcher.

Art’s family gathered on Sunday, July 21st, 2019 to celebrate his 84th birthday and to honor his service in the U.S. Navy with a veteran pinning ceremony. His home in Longmont, Colorado was filled with his family and friends as the TRU Community Care team arrived and prepared for the ceremony.

TRU volunteer and fellow veteran of the Korean War, John Franko, began the ceremony with an introduction paying tribute to Art’s service in the military. Art’s loved ones watched as he received his pin and honorary military salute.

There was a depth of reverence for the sacrifices made by these men, seemingly strangers but brought together by a common thread, their service to our country. John continued the ceremony by giving Art a star saved from a retired American flag that is given only to military veterans and first responders stating,

“I am part of our American flag that has flown over the United States. I can no longer fly, the sun has caused me to be tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten”.

Arthur was filled with deep gratitude, mutual respect, and joy in response to the ceremony. You couldn’t help but perceive the profound and wholehearted life in service to others that Art has lived and carries with him through his family.

TRU Community Care offers and produces Veteran Pinning Ceremonies to honor their service to the United States Military. Veterans, who are near the end of their life, share their experiences both leading up to and during the ceremony. The retelling of stories is an important part of what TRU Community Care offers to individuals nearing the end of their life.

To read more by TRU Community Care, please visit https://www.trucare.org/blog.

Compassionate Care

July 19, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

TRU Community Care provides services that affirm life at every step of your journey with illness and loss. Often times it is not an easy task to know which service will best support you and your loved one’s needs. TRU is devoted to providing not only excellent care but also the consultation needed to choose the best service possible.

Jennifer (Nurse Practitioner), Michael (Patient Care Consultant), and Cynthia (Palliative Nurse), and Chad (Director of Access and Palliative Services), among other TRU Community Care employees, recently had the opportunity to assist a couple through their decision over whether palliative care or hospice care would be the right choice for the husband. At an already challenging time, the couple was actually homeless when the husband was referred to TRU Palliative Care. He was considering his options and trying to decide if he wanted to continue to seek treatment, wavering back and forth between palliative care and hospice.

The TRU team collaborated to find ways to best serve this patient and his wife. They spent hours working on identifying resources to help the couple get back on their feet and make the best choice possible. During this time, the patient made the decision to be admitted to hospice the following Sunday.

The team worked hard to provide the additional support needed to give the patient a few more days to connect with resources to find a permanent housing solution. This enabled the couple the time and space to make the decision between admitting him to TRU Palliative Care versus TRU Hospice Care without the additional burden and concern for housing.

Chad, Director of Access and Palliative Services, relayed the story, concluding, “Ultimately, the patient decided on Sunday that he still wanted to seek treatment and enrolled with TRU Palliative Care. We look forward to continuing to serve him and his family.”

At TRU Community Care, we pride ourselves in engaging our communities with innovative, resourceful, and meaningful care for those living with illness and loss. We are a Colorado-licensed, Medicare and Medicaid-certified, nonprofit health care organization serving the greater Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Jefferson, and Weld Counties.

Learn more about TRU Services by visiting our website at https://www.trucare.org/our-services/.

Read more TRU Community Care blog posts at https://www.trucare.org/blog/.

TRU PACE Time Capsule

July 5, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

TRU PACE Staff Member with TRU PACE Participant

TRU PACE (Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) serves individuals 55 and older from all walks of life. This innovative program not only supports the physical and mental health of the participants, but also provides an uplifting, fun, and broad community in which the participants find meaningful daily interactions that serve the community as a whole. Staff members continuously identify activities and events that serve the participants on a deep level.

Jill Bilek (PACE Recreational Therapist) and the TRU PACE team have been searching for an activity that encourages the participants’ outlook for the future while reflecting on their past. Ultimately, they wanted to continue with the legacy of the PACE participants. After spending some time researching, Jill arrived at the idea of a time capsule box she saw on Pinterest. The team ordered a simple box that could be decorated by a fellow participant artist and planned out the items the participants would consider using for the ceremony.

Many participants brought trinkets that held individual value and meaning, while others drew pictures and brought photographs of their loved ones. One participant brought his favorite keychain from Boston, where he had grown up. For those who needed assistance processing what to memorialize, Jill found a helpful questionnaire from which the participants could choose writing topics such as: who they are, where they are from, or a letter to their future selves. Some participants wanted more wealth in the future or better health, while others admitted they were not “grown-up” yet.

The ceremony took place in the labyrinth near the TRU PACE building. Jill lined the box in the local newspaper on the day they buried the box, June 17th, 2019. A participant who was a pastor said a prayer of blessing for the participants, their memories, and the occasion. Many of the participants are unsure if they will have the chance to unearth the time capsule. With an acute awareness of how precious time can be, Jill made the date for retrieving the box two years hence, June 17th, 2021.

Memory and memorializing what people hold dear is important as it allows individuals to process their lives and the emotions that simple things can evoke. It is a healthy process emotionally and physically for anyone, at any stage in life. Whether you are a volunteer, staff member, family member, or supporter, the life and health of the TRU PACE community are tangible. TRU PACE reminds us how full life can be, at every stage, through these stories and memories.

Check out pace.trucare.org to learn more about TRU PACE.

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“Take Flight” Butterfly Release and Memorial Event Recap

June 26, 2019 by TRU Community Care

Approximately 200 people gathered Saturday at TRU PACE in Lafayette to remember lost loved ones, many of whom received hospice care from TRU Community Care. Hoping to be an annual tradition in the community, this celebration of life is an important part of the grief process for many family members coping with a loss. To view all pictures from the event, please visit the Google Photos album or the Facebook album.

CEO of TRU Community Care, Michael McHale, welcomed guests, spoke about the importance of coming together with others experiencing grief, and shared a poem called A Symbol of Hope.

American Legion Post 111 Lafayette posted the colors and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance in honor of our veterans.

TRU Grief Counselor, Richard Mercer, shared a personal story of friendship and loss and encouraged community members to share their own stories during their journey with grief.

Janie Blakely, TRU Chaplain, facilitated a time for sharing of memories. Attendees took turns standing up and vocalizing something special about the people they lost.

The weather cleared just in time for everyone to adjourn outside and release their butterflies in the TRU Labyrinth. Representing the transition of one life form to another, the butterflies were released into the air.

Participants enjoyed music from flutist Laurie Rugenstein and snacks made by our volunteers throughout the morning. Everyone present shared in a sense of community and many expressed how meaningful the event was for them.

“The butterfly event on Saturday was beautiful. Thank you for bringing it to us. I loved watching my friend fly away from me. It was a beautiful visualization of what happened. Thanks for all you do to bring peace to people in grief.” – TRU Volunteer and “Take Flight” attendee

Thank you to everyone who took part in this special day.

To learn more about other upcoming TRU Community Care events, please visit our 2019 Events page.

Healing with Horses Through Grief and Loss

June 20, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

Healing with Horses is a program of TRU Community Care and a part of our grief services for youth coping with death and loss. This week we sat down with Raegan Gyorffy, the Director of Grief and Volunteer Services, to gain insight into the immeasurable value of the program.

While describing the group and how the horses impact the participants’ lives, Raegan says, ”The group is truly special. Horses are large and intuitive, able to mirror emotions, and provide a conduit for conversation and a good alternative to traditional group talks.”

The program runs for an 8-week period in the fall and again in the spring. Each week the participants meet for themed sessions that pair conversation with interaction and care for the horses. Youth are partnered with one another based on the similarity of age, their stage of grief, and their type of loss. Additionally, they are matched with a horse for added support. Each program has eight youth and up to six adults to ensure the safety and care for everyone involved.

A coordinator of the program expresses her experience and perspective of the impact the horses have in the participant’s grief process by explaining that,

“The relationship with the horse offers connection that helps ground the kids and breaks down barriers. We often see kids who are silent during the talking circle and come alive and expand once they are with the horses. It seems to offer a non-threatening space for kids to open up, move their bodies, and engage their senses in a way that gives them access to their emotions and thoughts. Also, being outside, getting exercise and having fun are all healthy ways to cope with big emotions!”

She herself has learned from the youth participants how to cope with grief and loss, the power of connection and being understood, and the importance of the power of feeling seen in our grief. One father told her that his son says “grief camp” is his son’s favorite activity of all the things he does for fun.

Stories like these are truly why Grief Services and specialized programs like Healing with Horses are so crucial to the heart of TRU Community Care. We could not do it without the heart and dedication of our staff, volunteers, families, donors, and overarching community.

To learn more about Grief Services and how you can become involved with Healing with Horses, please visit our Services and Volunteer page.

Thrift with a Mission

June 6, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

Infectious joy. Those are the two words that people frequently use to describe the atmosphere at TRU Thrift and the volunteers who work there. And it has the ability to impact anyone who steps foot into the store.

Mary Scripter has been volunteering with TRU Thrift for over three years. She helps with everything from organizing the literacy section to working the register. She even helped start the TRU Thrift Online Amazon Bookstore. She loves volunteering with TRU Thrift because of their mission — and the first look at all of the items coming in the door doesn’t hurt either.

Originally from South Dakota, Mary went to college in Wyoming and has lived in Colorado since 1971. She has been volunteering with hospices across Colorado since ‘76. She started her volunteering in Colorado Springs, until she found TRU Community Care.

Mary began working with hospice communities because of her experience through her sister’s death.

“When you’ve been helped by a hospice, you want to give back.” Mary tells us. “TRU Community Care has such a wonderful community, who donate furniture and goods to TRU Thrift.”

She understands that when people go through the death of a loved one, they want to give back and support others who are going through a similar experience. Mary’s favorite section is in the book stacks. There are days that she organizes 100’s of donated books.

Mary loves to organize and research the books for their value. If at any time you find yourself at TRU Thrift, check out their amazing book section. You may even find Mary there to help you support your efforts in finding the perfect summer read or even a treasure.

In the words of TRU Thrift’s Store Manager, Lynn McCullough, “Shopping at the TRU Hospice Thrift Shop can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Who doesn’t love the hunt for a bargain?”. Merchandise includes high-end furniture at reasonable prices, gently worn clothing from designer to basics, jewelry, collectibles, art, books, sporting equipment, housewares, and more.

TRU PACE Art Gallery Opening

May 28, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

Last week, more than 60 people joined TRU PACE to celebrate the opening of our art gallery featuring the works of PACE participants and visiting artist, Al Canner. The artwork created by PACE participants was produced through the therapeutic art program, Purple Art.

Al Canner, a fiber artist, is the chairman of the TRU Ethics Committee and our first featured community artist. We are grateful to have his intricate work featured with the works of PACE participants.

TRU PACE participants artist cards are available with a small donation in support of PACE programming by emailing LeslieMader@trucare.org.

If you were not able to come to the TRU PACE Art Opening and would like to view the pieces, showings are available by appointment only. Please make a scheduled viewing by contacting Leslie Mader at 303.665.0115.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the TRU PACE Art Gallery Opening a hit!

Stay in the loop for our next TRU PACE Art Opening and other events by signing up for our newsletter at https://bit.ly/2ZbzPdk.

The Threshold Singers

May 24, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

A melodic sound softly begins to rise as your tired eyes, bones, and heart begins to respond to life and feeling. The gentle voices of the Threshold Singers have the ability to awaken the soul and body, unlike any other healing process. It is entirely communal while simultaneously personal, and anyone in the presence of their music will benefit from their support in song.

“Threshold Choir’s mission is to sing for those at the thresholds of life. Their goal is to bring ease and comfort to those at the thresholds of living and dying. A calm and focused presence at the bedside, with gentle voices, simple songs, and sincere kindness, can be soothing and reassuring to patients, family, and caregivers alike.” – Threshold Choir

TRU Community care is fortunate to have the Threshold Choir volunteering as a service to our families and their loved ones. The Threshold Choir International (TCI) is a nonprofit with over 200 chapters globally, equalling about 2,300 members. Kate Munger, Founder of TCI, travels around the country to rally attention and support for Threshold Singers and in 2012 she hosted an event in Boulder, Colorado.

We had the opportunity to interview four of Boulder’s Threshold Singers, who often sing for the TRU Community. Sally Kornblith, Patricia Petersen, Linda Klein, and Brenda Rowe sat down to talk and sing for us in early May of 2019. After meeting Kate Munger at the event in Boulder, Kitty Edwards and Brenda Rowe co-founded the Colorado Chapter called the Boulder Threshold Singers with Patricia Petersen in 2013. They continuously have 13-25 members annually and serve communities throughout Boulder County.

Patricia Petersen, the co-Founder of The Threshold Singers, tells us how she came to know this was something she needed to do.

“In 2012, my partner, Robin, was dying of cancer. I and three other people would sing for her for hours every Sunday, and it was the only thing that would take away the pain. It was noticeable. Music was so important to Robin.”

Individual threshold members have written and created a large repertoire of hundreds of soothing, comforting non-denominational songs, perfect for bedside singing. From these, the Boulder Threshold Singers have learned 70 of those songs (to date) for their repertoire. They also continue to learn and add more songs. Singers are required to go through a vetting process that makes sure participants are capable of providing not only beautiful sounds but an experience that is soothing and supportive of their community. When they sing, they get close and create a supportive and gentle environment. They sing wherever they are needed – at homes and hospitals in Boulder County, wherever hospice patients are being cared for, and at TRU Community Care.

“People are uncomfortable with death, not knowing what to do with themselves. People often feel like they should take care of you, asking if you’d like something to eat or drink…trying to make a situation comfortable that just isn’t comfortable. So, we sing. The room begins to let go and able to breathe.” – Says Sally, describing a memorable Threshold moment.

Members of the Threshold Singers often find themselves a part of this singing community out of their own experiences with grief and death. They say their work is “a giving circle” and a form of reciprocity. They feel they are equally – if not more – benefiting from their songs as a form of healing. Their music tangibly fills the air with peace and freedom to let go of whatever anyone may be holding on to. We are grateful to have them as a part of our services and look forward to the stories that are built by their songs over the coming years.

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