Hospice Of The Sacred Heart Receives Community Impact Grant Hospice of the Sacred Heart, which provides comfort, care, hope and choice to patients and their families while guiding through the end of life journey, announced today that it was awarded a $25,000 Community Impact Grant from New York Life. The grant will support Camp Healing Hearts, which is a five-day camp experience to provide grief education to children ages 6 to 14 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Camp is designed to provide campers exposure to the arts, giving them the opportunity to develop healthy ways to express themselves and process their emotions. Trained bereavement counselors and members of the regional arts community work together to assist the campers in finding comfortable outlets to share their grief. “We are grateful for New York Life’s investment in Camp Healing Hearts, which will change many lives for the better. With the support from New York Life, we will be able to present this camp made up of instructional sessions in various art platforms to help them develop healthy ways to express themselves and process their emotions,” said Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart. “I’m incredibly proud to work for a company that is fortunate enough to give back to the communities we serve,” said Katelyn Sass, Operations Manager of the company’s Northeastern Pennsylvania General Office. “Volunteering with Hospice of the Sacred Heart at Camp Healing Hearts is especially meaningful, as it creates a safe and uplifting space for grieving children to express themselves, build resilience, and experience the joy of summer.” The Community Impact Grant program awards grants of up to $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations championed by New York Life agents and employees. Since the program’s inception in 2008, 950 grants totaling more than $12.5 million have been awarded to nonprofits across the country.
Hospice Of The Sacred Heart Receives Check From 4th Annual “Night To Remember” Fundraiser On April 29th, 2026, the 4th Annual “Night to Remember” was held at the Back Mountain Brewing Company in Dallas in honor of Tracy Gototweski. It was an evening full of laughter, love and memories with family and friends. Due to the generosity of those who came out to remember Tracy, $4,210 was raised to support patients of Hospice of the Sacred Heart and their families. The donation was made in Tracy’s honor, knowing that the hard work and dedication of the hospice staff is appreciated by all of the lives they touch. Pictured front row l to r: Lisa Kramer, Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit Social Worker, Diane Baldi, RN, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart and Ann Rish. Back row l to r: Bridgett Gallagher, Inpatient Unit Coordinator, Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dave Gototweski, Sherry Cross and Kelly Noreika, RN, BSN, Director of Inpatient Services, Hospice of the Sacred Heart
Hospice Of The Sacred Heart Receives Check From Timmy’s Town Center Attorney Tim and Lexie Kelly, representing Timmy’s Town Center, recently presented a $15,000 check to Hospice of the Sacred Heart CEO Diane Baldi. This donation will support pediatric hospice services at Hospice of the Sacred Heart. Pictured l to r: Attorney Tim Kelly, Timmy’s Town Center, Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart and Lexie Kelly, Timmy’s Town Center.
Hospice To Deliver Thanksgiving Meals to Homebound Patients Hospice of the Sacred Heart will once again spread the spirit of gratitude and compassion this holiday season through its annual Thanksgiving Program, taking place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27. This is the 20th year for the program. Each year, staff and volunteers come together to prepare, package, and deliver traditional Thanksgiving meals to Hospice of the Sacred Heart patients receiving care at home, along with their families. Over 700 meals are expected to be delivered. The initiative ensures that patients and loved ones can share in the warmth and comfort of a holiday meal, even when they cannot gather around a traditional family table. “Our mission has always been rooted in compassion,” said Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart. “This program allows us to bring comfort, care, and a sense of togetherness to our patients and their families on one of the most meaningful days of the year.” Volunteers and staff will begin early Thanksgiving morning at Mansour’s Market Café in Scranton, packing full meals complete with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, and pumpkin pie for dessert. The meals are then carefully hand-delivered by volunteers to patients throughout the region. “This effort truly embodies what Thanksgiving is all about — gratitude, service, and community,” added Ann Seechock, Volunteer Coordinator. “We’re proud to share this day with those we serve.” Hospice of the Sacred Heart extends its thanks to the many employees, volunteers and community partners who make this event possible each year. For more information about Hospice of the Sacred Heart or to learn how to support future programs, please visit HospiceSacredHeart.org or call 570-706-2400.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart Announces Monica Project Dedication Hospice of the Sacred Heart will formally dedicate the Monica Project Memorial Pollinator Garden Wednesday, September 17th at 4 pm in Nay Aug Park. The impressive garden was created in memory of Monica Patel, a beautiful young girl who passed away in 2015 under the care of Hospice of the Sacred Heart. For parents, siblings and grandparents, the loss of a child is a profound journey. Hospice of the Sacred Heart offers a compassionate space to find support, understanding and encouragement during a difficult time. Our services are designed to help individuals process the unique complexities of grieving a child, regardless of their age or circumstances of their passing. This garden, a repurposed piece of land, has been transformed over the better part of the last five years by Hospice of the Sacred Heart employees, members of the Greenhouse Project and other community volunteers. Carefully chosen pollinator plants have been planted to attract birds, bees and butterflies and a bench has been installed directly across from the garden so guests can pray or meditate in a quiet, peaceful setting. Diane Baldi, Hospice of the Sacred Heart CEO, will be available for interviews. The garden is located adjacent to the greenhouse at 200 Arthur Avenue in Scranton.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart Hosts Remembrance Walk Hundreds of walkers are expected to pause and remember their loved ones in a unique and special way at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Remembrance Walk. The walk will take place on Saturday, September 27th at McDade Park in Scranton. Registration begins at 8:30 am and the walk will kick off at 10 am. The Wright Center is the presenting sponsor. The one-mile walk around scenic McDade Park is wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly. The $25 registration fee ($30 after September 12th) includes lunch and a long-sleeve t-shirt with a customizable pin-on bib so participants can walk in memory of a loved one. Teams of five or more are $20 each and children 18 and under are free. There will be a DJ, basket raffle, children’s activities, a ceremonial balloon launch and ice cream courtesy of Fidelity Bank. Proceeds from the walk will help support Hospice of the Sacred Heart programs and services. The event will begin with an opening prayer and WNEP-TV anchor and reporter, Stacy Lange, will start the walk. Diane Baldi, Hospice of the Sacred Heart CEO, will be available for interviews. Those wishing to participate individually or as a team can register online at www.HospiceSacredHeart.org, by calling 570-706-2400 or at McDade Park the day of the walk.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart Hosts Camp Healing Hearts Industry expert available to discuss grief education WHAT: Hospice of the Sacred Heart hosts Camp Healing Hearts This event is a five-day camp experience to provide grief education to children ages 6 to 14 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Camp is designed to provide campers exposure to the arts, giving them the opportunity to develop healthy ways to express themselves and process their emotions. Trained bereavement counselors and members of the regional arts community work together to assist the campers in finding comfortable outlets to share their grief. Jennifer Seechock, Hospice of the Sacred Heart Director of Counseling Services, will be available throughout the week for media interviews. The five-day camp is free and is made up of instructional sessions in various art platforms. This year’s theme is “Wicked” based on the Broadway play and hit movie. Bereavement counselors will be available throughout the week if any campers or family members require individual support. Community volunteers lend their time to campers with artistic projects in painting, writing, photography, yoga, dance, singing and cooking/baking. All sessions will be held in person at the lodge at Montage Mountain Resort. At the conclusion of camp activities, campers and their families will enjoy a day at the waterpark on Friday, August 8th. Media representatives are encouraged to attend any session Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, 9 AM to 12 PM. A video retrospective of Camp Healing Hearts will be presented before the feature film at the Circle Drive-In, 1911 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Dickson City, on Wednesday, August 20th. WHEN: Monday through Friday, August 4 through 8, 9:00 – 1:00 PM BEST DAYS FOR MEDIA COVERAGE ARE WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY OR FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 THROUGH 8, 9 AM TO 12 PM. Jennifer Seechock, Hospice of the Sacred Heart Director of Counseling Services, will be available during those times for media interviews. WHERE: Montage Mountain Resort lodge, 1000 Montage Mountain, Scranton, PA 18507 CONTACT: Jennifer Seechock Hospice of the Sacred Heart (570) 855-4370 jseechock@HospiceSacredHeart.org Camp Healing Hearts is sponsored by New York Life, Lackawanna County, Montage Mountain Resort, Simrell Media, Lamar Advertising, Circle Drive-In and Mansour’s Market Café.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart Receives Proceeds From Local Fundraiser Sherry Cross and Ann Rish delivered a $3,756 check to the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit in Dunmore May 15th. The check represents proceeds from the 3rd annual “Night to Remember” fundraiser in memory of Tracy Gototweski. The event was held at the Back Mountain Brewery in Dallas. There were basket raffles, a 50/50 drawing, great food and drinks. “Hospice of the Sacred Heart is a wonderful organization that helps so many people through their most difficult days and we are forever grateful for your support. Please accept this donation of $3,756 in Tracy’s memory. It is an honor to be able to give back each year and keep Tracy’s memory alive. We hope that our efforts will support patients and their families throughout their journey,” said Sherry Cross. Pictured left to right: Ellen St. Ledger, RN, Sherry Cross, Ann Rish, Diane Baldi, CEO of Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Lisa Kramer, Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit Social Worker and Michael Catalano, Director of the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit
Hospice of the Sacred Heart to Deliver Meals to Patients for Thanksgiving On Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 28th, Hospice of the Sacred Heart will deliver meals to patients and their families. This is the 19th year the hospice will provide this service project. Over 700 meals complete with roasted turkey, all traditional Thanksgiving sides and pumpkin pie will be prepared by Mansour’s Market Café in Scranton, packaged, and delivered by hospice staff members and volunteers. “We so look forward to this day. Many of our hospice staff and volunteers enjoy this beautiful tradition of blessing the meals, the friendship of our colleagues and the delivery of over 700 Thanksgiving meals to our patients and their families. This project demonstrates our gratitude for the blessings in our lives,” said Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart. Media outlets are invited to photograph the distribution process beginning at 7:50 am at Mansour’s Market Café, 969 Prescott Avenue, Scranton. Deacon Patrick J. Massino will bless the meals at 8 am and deliveries will begin immediately afterwards. Diane Baldi, CEO, will be available for interviews between 8 and 10 am.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart to Host Remembrance Walk Hundreds of walkers are expected to pause and remember their loved ones in a unique and special way at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Remembrance Walk. The walk will take place on Saturday, September 28th at McDade Park in Scranton. Registration begins at 8:30 am and the walk will kick off at 10 am. The Wright Center is the presenting sponsor. The one-mile walk around scenic McDade Park is wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly. The $25 registration fee ($30 after September 6th) includes lunch and a long-sleeve t-shirt with a customizable pin-on bib so participants can walk in memory of a loved one. Teams of five or more are $20 each and children 12 and under are free. There will be a DJ, basket raffle, children’s activities, a ceremonial bell ringing and ice cream courtesy of Fidelity Bank. Proceeds from the walk will help support Hospice of the Sacred Heart programs and services. The event will begin with an opening prayer by Rev. Thomas M. Muldowney, Pastor, Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Moscow and WNEP-TV anchor and reporter, Stacy Lange, will start the walk. Diane Baldi, Hospice of the Sacred Heart CEO, will be available for interviews. Those wishing to participate individually or as a team can register online at www.HospiceSacredHeart.org, by calling 570-706-2400 or at McDade Park the day of the walk.
