Hospice gears up for flower sale and chicken barbecue

NORWICH – It wouldn’t be spring in Chenango County without Hospice’s Annual Plant Sale. For nearly 20 years the non-profit health care agency has sold plants around Memorial Day to raise funds which help pay for patient care costs,” says Donna Wood-Craig, the agency’s Development and Community Relations Coordinator. “This sale has grown by leaps and bounds, primarily because we expanded our customer base holding internal sales in nearly 60 schools and companies; and this year we’re adding a chicken barbecue.

“Years ago we only sold geraniums,” said Wood-Craig. “However, now we offer so much more; pots of geraniums, gerber daisies, even flats of impatiens. We have hanging ivy geranium baskets, wave petunias, New Guinea impatiens, and our most popular mixed flower basket.” Hospice’s plant sale is truly a countywide one with pickup points in Nowich, at Weiler Park; and at local NBT branch locations in Afton, Bainbridge, New Berlin, Oxford, and Sherburne. “Our prices are comparable to the best flower shops, with the added satisfaction that every dollar you spend helps a worthy agency raise much-needed funds,” empasized Wood-Craig. Every year Hospice needs to raise about $150,000 to fill the financial gap between the actual cost of patient care and what private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid reimburse the agency.

“This year we’ve decided to add a new twist with a chicken barbecue on the same day in the same location. We’re grateful that Tim Thompson, a great cook and friend to Hospice agreed to donate his time and talents,” said Wood-Craig. “He will cook 400 chicken halves, and we hope to sell every last bird with this pre-order, pre-pay sale. Anyone who wants to support the sale simply needs to drop us a line stating how many chicken halves they want and mail their payment to 21 Hayes Street in Norwich. Half a chicken will set you back $5.50, or get two halves for $10.” Hospice volunteers will deliver to individuals, schools, or companies in Norwich with orders of twenty dollars or more. “Our thinking was that everyone has to eat on May 14th, so why not let Hospice feed them.” Plant orders should be in by April 18 and chicken orders should arrive by May 2.