IBEW LOCAL 164 DONATES $5,000 TO COMMUNITY HOSPICE OF BERGEN COUNTY INC. AT TELETHON

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 164 recently presented $5,000 to the Community Hospice of Bergen County, Inc. (CHBC) at a telethon organized and broadcast by PKRG-TV, Park Ridge’s cable access station. The newly formed Westwood-based non-profit health organization is dedicated to providing compassionate, supportive care to area residents and their loved ones at the end stage of life throughout northwestern Bergen County.

The “Open Your Hearts, Open Our Hospice” fund-raising event aired live on Cablevision Channel 77 and Verizon Channel 22 in Hillsdale, Montvale, Old Tappan, Oradell, Park Ridge, River Vale, Washington Township, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake and Upper Saddle River. Local entertainers who donated their time included Singer/Entertainer Willie Wilson; Irish Folk Singer Danny Quinn; Peter Cafasso and Dan DeStefano, winner and first runner-up, respectively, of the Senior Idol Show; Opera Singer Angela Maria Biasi; Lauren Barnett and Kailey Einenger and more. To date, CHBC has raised $150,000 of the $300,000 necessary to begin treating patients.

“Hospice is a vital service that should be available to all residents throughout our communities, without regard for their ability to pay, at a time when it is needed most – at the end of life,” said Keith Misciagna, IBEW Local 164 telecommunications business representative and a resident of Park Ridge.

Formed 11 months ago by long-time staff members and volunteers formerly associated with the Pascack Valley Hospital-affiliated Bergen Community Health Care and Hospice, CHBC is led by Alan Israel, M.D., and Patricia Hutzelman, R.N., M.S. Additional team members include Donna Bott, an award-winning hospice volunteer and community educator, and Wendy Megerman, a 13-year hospice volunteer and bereavement coordinator.

“Community Hospice of Bergen County is being established as an agency for the community and of the community, which is always here for them, regardless of their financial means,” said Bott.

“IBEW Local 164 is proud to support the grassroots effort of Community Hospice of Bergen County to fill a much-needed gap for non-profit hospice care in the Pascack Valley region,” added Richard Dressel, the local’s business manager. “Now is an ideal time to give from the heart to Community Hospice to help make life better for our friends and neighbors.”

Throughout the year, Local 164 is involved in an array of philanthropic efforts throughout New Jersey. Recent projects include participating in Rebuilding Together Bergen County and Jersey City, an annual nationwide home repair event to help seniors and families; Habitat for Humanity; an annual toy drive for local children as well as those whose parents are serving in the armed forces; and Project Grandma, an annual fund-raising project established in honor of breast cancer survivors and their families. This past spring, Local 164 also donated $50,000 earmarked for Hackensack University Medical Center’s new cancer facility. ###

CAPTION: IBEW Local 164 recently presented Community Hospice of Bergen County with a $5,000 donation at a Park Ridge telethon to benefit the non-profit Westwood-based start-up program. Pictured are (left to right) Telethon Producer Ned Barber; Local 164’s Ken Brouwer, trustee; Keith Misciagna, business representative, and Paul Zwartky, executive board member, all of whom reside in Park Ridge; Donna Bott, hospice volunteer and community educator; and Patricia Hutzelman, R.N., M.S.