Comfort care home for the dying exists on donations, fundraisers and volunteers
It’s hard to believe that such a comfortable, well-maintained home, staffed 24 hours a day, can exist solely on donations, memorials, grants, fundraisers and volunteer hours, but that is exactly what Aurora House in Spencerport has been doing for the past five years.
After volunteering at another comfort home in the area, founder Sandie Ville had a vision for a similar facility on the west side of Monroe County. Through a donation of land by the Ogden Presbyterian Church and community support, ground was broken for the project in September 2009 and one year later, the doors were opened to its first residents. Aurora House served 22 families during its first year of operation and over 120 in the past five years.
“Sandie’s mission was to make a house that would fit into the community, not a facility,” said Karen Kuebler, executive director and the home’s only full time staff member. “Aurora House wouldn’t exist without a tremendous amount of help from the community and volunteers.”
Aurora House does not receive any funding from insurance, hospice agencies or the government. Because the home only has two beds, it is not considered a nursing home. A person comes into the care of Aurora House through a referral made by a hospice agency. Referrals are made when a person is thought to be in the final three months of his/her life. Although 24 hour a day, 7 day a week care is provided, families are not charged for the services their loved one receives.
“Five years of resident care involves a great number of hands at work,” said Kuebler. “No experience is necessary for any volunteer position. We provide the training and welcome families, young adults and seniors to help.” Aurora House has 56 volunteer shifts each week – two volunteers at a time in four-hour shifts. Some of the jobs include providing resident care, gardening, grocery shopping, housekeeping, special events, fundraising and house maintenance.
“We have an amazing, talented and dedicated group of individuals who are truly invested in our mission and work hard to support what happens inside and outside Aurora House each and every day,” said Kuebler.
Instead of having an event to celebrate the fifth anniversary, Aurora House staff and volunteers are focusing their efforts on the annual Bountiful Baskets & Brunch event that will be held Saturday, October 17 from 9:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Pearce Memorial Church, 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili. Patrons purchase tickets to the event for $20 per person and the 400-ticket event always sells out. The fundraiser features 150 themed gift baskets valued at $50 or more that are donated by individuals, businesses, clubs, church groups and families.
Carol Kirkpatrick, who volunteers throughout the year with her husband, Roger, lends her artistic expertise to the fundraiser by putting items in the perfect container, wrapping them and tying them up with a bow. Patrons put raffle tickets in bags next to the baskets they would like and a ticket is drawn to determine the winner. For more information, visit http://www.aurorahousewmc.com/2015/08/bountiful-baskets-and-brunch/.
Aurora House also held a “Starry Night” fundraiser in April that featured a buffet dinner, music and silent auction, and an Old Fashioned Pig Roast in September. Look for details later in the year on the Light of Remembrance event, which last year featured 550 luminaries lighting the grounds in remembrance of loved ones who have passed.
“Individuals are going to take this journey with or without us,” said Kuebler. “If we can make the time more enjoyable and comfortable, then we have given them our greatest gift.”
