Print Article SUPPORT THE HEALING PATCH
Make a Donation
Support Events
In-Kind Donations
Plan a Fundraiser
Make a Donation
Make an online donation here. Financial gifts can directly impact the sustainability of the Healing Patch to continue free services for grieving children and their families, as well as young adults.
Gifts can be mailed to Healing Patch, 20 Sheraton Drive, Altoona, PA 16601.
Support Events
There are several annual events that are opportunities to get involved by attending, sponsoring, or donating items.
Flashlight Egg Hunt
Friday, March 28, 2025
This event is hosted by the Home Nursing Agency Foundation each spring. Hosted at the Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona, the Flashlight Egg Hunt welcomes adults 18 years and older to don a headlamp, grab a bag or strap on a backpack, and scurry to gather as many eggs as possible in the dark. Once the lights are turned back on, participants can crack open their eggs to find candy, or more desirable, slips of paper bearing a number that the holder can use to claim a prize. Contact Special Events Coordinator Stephanie Roefaro at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.to get involved.
Decades Club Reverse Raffle & Evening of Music
Saturday, October 25, 2025
This event is hosted by the Home Nursing Agency Foundation each fall. Join us as we dance through the decades with America’s most popular music from the 1960s to now! Before the Decades Club dance party gets started, the Reverse Raffle Drawing will give ticketholders a chance to win cash prizes. The real winners of the evening are the children and families supported through the Healing Patch! Contact Special Events Coordinator Stephanie Roefaro at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.to get involved.
Patched Together
Saturday, November 23, 2024
This third-party event is coordinated annually by a group of volunteers. This day of music with children's activities, basket raffle, and more is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year at the Bavarian Aid Society in Altoona. Visit the Patched Together Facebook page to learn more. Contact Committee Chairperson Kent Tonkin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to be involved in some way.
In-Kind Donations
- Blankets: Individuals and groups may wish to donate physical items to the Healing Patch. Donations of new blankets (either purchased or sewn) are welcomed as they are presented to children/adolescents at orientation for the Peer Support Groups or as part of Comfort Bags for Patch Club in-school group participants.
- Arts & Crafts Supplies: Donations of arts and crafts supplies are also appreciated. Please check out this Amazon wishlist for needs.
- Jared Boxes: Local groups or teams can assemble Jared Boxes specifically for Healing Patch participants. These interactive kits are given to children/adolescents at orientation.
- Event Donations: Donations of gift cards/certificates, themed baskets, or other items are welcomed for use at any of the events above. These items are used to raise additional funds to support the Healing Patch. Please reach out to the contact people as listed if you are interested in contributing.
Plan a Fundraiser
Individuals, groups, or schools may be interested in planning an independent fundraiser to benefit the Healing Patch! Some ideas include the following:
- Make a donation to wear a special item day (Pajama Day, Hat Day, Crazy Sock Day, etc.)
- Sports outing (cornhole, golf, pool, etc.)
- Create an online donation drive. A customized donation portal can be created for you to share. Donations would go directly to the Healing Patch through the Home Nursing Agency Foundation. You can be notified of all donations made.
Contact Kim Helsel, Director of Development/Marketing Communications, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 814-947-7023 for more information about planning your own fundraiser.
8/12/2020 Pennsylvania’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) breastfeeding support services have been the catalyst for increased breastfeeding rates across the nation over the last several decades as nearly half of the infants born in the U.S. participate in WIC. Both new and experienced mothers alike depend on WIC to help navigate the challenges of breastfeeding step by step and celebrate their success stories. National Breastfeeding Month is a campaign to raise awareness in our communities of breastfeeding and its numerous benefits.
[BOB] Our first award is The Hands and Hearts Award named after Glenda McGuire. This award recognizes a Homemaker/Home Health Aide, or Program Assistant who demonstrates a strong commitment to the values of the Agency through a caring and respectful attitude for the individuals and families entrusted to their care. Mary Jo Eger, Home Nursing Agency’s Hospice Quality Specialist in Bedford County, will be introducing our recipient. Mary Jo….
[MARY JO] This award winner has a 12-year history with the Agency and making sure her Hospice patients feel well cared for. In addition to her regular home health aide visits, she has been called on to help in other ways – probably because she never says “no”! Her willingness to serve wherever and however needed has taken her outside of Bedford County on many occasions. She has been asked to assist with everything from office work to vigil care for patients actively dying. And she does it all with an upbeat attitude!
Her peers recognize that “her care to the patients is exceptional!” As the case with many of our award winners – both past and present – she probably doesn’t realize the impact of her compassionate spirit and helpful attitude. Her nominees say that she has inspired them to be better at their jobs just by working with her and seeing how caring she is each day. Betty Shankle is always willing to lend a hand, and she has the biggest heart! Please join me in congratulating Betty as our 2014 Hands & Hearts Award Winner!
PHOTO: Bob, Betty, Mary Jo
[BOB] The Extra Effort Awardis given to an individual who consistently and willingly goes beyond the call of duty to make a difference for coworkers – and for customers who are entrusted within the Agency’s care. The winner also consistently has an energetic and enthusiastic approach to his or her responsibilities, much like Dot Tartaglio, in whose memory this award is presented. Teri Gergely, Home Nursing Agency’s
Hospice Patient Care Supervisor in Cambria County, will be introducing our winner. Teri…
[TERI] “Extra Effort” defines the work ethic of our next award winner. As one nomination noted, actions speak louder than words, and this nurse’s patients and families have seen her compassion in action every day. Family members are compelled to let us know of her tireless commitment. This RN Case Manager’s name is one of the most often mentioned in notes for the Cambria County Hospice team.
She places her patients’ needs first without hesitation – frequently making visits beyond her normal “working hours”. You may see her on the road or in a patient’s home during the nights and weekends or taking on extra patients as she is asked.
An example of her dedication was in her recent attendance at patient’s funeral – an after-hours funeral for a patient who was not under her care. Our special winner knew that the patient’s case manager was off and felt the Agency should be represented. She also wanted to be there to provide emotional support to the family.
One of her nominees shared, “She is truly the RN you would want to help YOU!” A team player, Donna Hershel is “a gift to her patients and families”. Please help me welcome Donna as our Extra Effort Award Winner!
PHOTO: Bob, Donna, Teri
[BOB] The Spirit Award, established nine years ago, recognizes employees who consistently demonstrate qualities of the late Larry Hite. Our recipients are known for being dedicated, dependable, and devoted. Next, Teresa Salome, Home Nursing Agency’s Nurse-Family Partnership Blair County Supervisor, will introduce this year’s deserving winner of the Spirit Award. Teresa…
[TERESA] With multiple nominations, this year’s award winner is highly lauded by her fellow employees for her loyalty and dedication to her clients. This Nurse-Family Partnership Nurse Home Visitor has dedicated her life to teaching and empowering young mothers in difficult circumstances. Her peers share that she “pours 100% of her energy and enthusiasm into all she does”.
She is one of the first people to volunteer for events, mentor students and co-workers, and work on internal projects to help the department run more smoothly. Her clients know she is their advocate, which is especially meaningful for those who have no other support network and face adverse circumstances.
She has been described as the “consummate Nurse Home Visitor” with caring, compassion, and professionalism rolled into one. She is nearing 20 years of service with Home Nursing Agency and has spent each one going the extra mile to help.
She always meets her clients “where they are at” and focuses on their strengths. With her guidance and encouragement, I have witnessed her clients achieve significant successes and goals. Her clients know that she believes in them and their potential to achieve their “heart’s desire”!
She has shown great strength, faith, and perseverance throughout the uncertainty of her own health issue. And in spite of all of this, she has remained focused on the needs of her clients.
One of her nominees reinforced this as she shared, “When we read back client satisfaction surveys, it is always Arlene Wojno that shines the brightest!” Please join me in welcoming Arlene as the 2014 Spirit Award Winner!
PHOTO: Bob, Teresa, Arlene
[BOB] In memory of Helen Rosch, the Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer for dedication to the mission of the Agency and to the spirit of volunteerism. Like Helen, the recipient should exhibit a willingness to serve his or her program with enthusiasm and energy, and be a community ambassador promoting all services and programs of Home Nursing Agency. Catherine Zimmerman, Home Nursing Agency’s Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, will now introduce the winner of this award…Catherine…
[CATHERINE] The outreach and level of care that Home Nursing Agency extends to each of our communities would not be possible without the efforts of our selfless volunteers. One of the most difficult things to do is to choose just one volunteer to nominate for the Volunteer of the Year Award.
This year’s award winner lives out the Agency’s mission as an active volunteer in several roles including hospice, bereavement, tuck-in services, We Honor Veterans, clerical duties, Lights of Love, and vigil services. He is always open to helping families when he is needed or called on. He takes his role seriously and often goes “above and beyond” what is asked of him.
His hard work, extra effort, and passion are evident to our Bedford County Hospice team and to the patients and families he’s helped. He has been recognized several times through the “Grateful Angel” program and other notes of appreciation for the compassion and support he’s provided.
This retired United States Navy nurse helps all of us to keep our priorities straight and reminds our team why we do what we do. He said, “It should be all about the patient. The few hours, days, and months that he or she has with us must count.” He lives out that message in his volunteer role and approaches each assignment with willingness, openness, and enthusiasm.
Ted Hildebrand is known for his faithfulness and commitment to go “above and beyond” for each patient and family he serves. Please join me in celebrating Ted as our Volunteer of the Year Award recipient!
PHOTO: Bob, Ted, Catherine
[BOB] The late Mary B. Kraft was the first employee of the Agency and a member of the incorporating and charter Board of Directors. The Commitment to Community Award is presented annually to the employee most exemplifying the ideals and values of Home Nursing Agency and for distinguished service throughout the Agency and in his or her community. Donna Hartford, Home Nursing Agency’s Vice President of Community Health and Wellness, will be introducing our final award winner.
[DONNA] Approaching two decades of service with Home Nursing Agency, this dedicated employee has a reputation for getting things done. She is always willing to help and does so with a smile – even when she is doing 20 different things at once. Committed first to those we serve, she always makes time for people with urgent needs and follows through to ensure they get the services they need.
She has earned the respect of her peers, team, and clients. A true leader, her actions and attitude set the bar for the level of professionalism and dedication that she expects from her team members. This award winner embraces new challenges. Her efforts made “Walk-In” services at the Adult Community Health Center a reality.
9/13/2016 As the seasons change and we move closer to the holiday season, many times our thoughts turn to those we love – our family and friends who celebrate the joy of the season with us and those who are no longer here but whose memory burns brightly in our hearts.
Home Nursing Agency invites community members who have experienced the loss of a loved one to attend a Service of Remembrance in one of six locations in the HNA service area as listed below. All services begin at 3 p.m.
- Centre County: Sun., Oct. 16 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2221 N. Oak Ln., State College
- Mifflin/Juniata Counties: Sun., Oct. 23 at the Grace United Methodist Church, 101 Logan St., Lewistown
- Cambria County: Sun., Oct. 30 at the Cresson United Methodist Church, 619 5th, Cresson
- Huntingdon County: St. James Lutheran Church, 525 Mifflin St., Huntingdon
- Blair County: Trinity Lutheran Church, 408 N. 6th, Altoona
- Bedford County: Bedford Church of the Brethren, 310 Donahue Manor Rd., Bedford
This inter-faith service offers an opportunity for community members to pay special tribute to loved ones who have passed away by sharing the loved one’s name to be read during the service and by decorating a luminary bag to be displayed. Attendees can come at 2:30 p.m. to decorate luminary bags before the service begins at 3 p.m.
Register here, or by calling 1-800-445-6262 (select option three and ask for ext. 2566).
Contributors 2012-2013 Report
Thank you to the many generous individuals, organizations, businesses and corporations that have contributed to the Home Nursing Agency Foundation over this past fiscal year (between July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013).
Donors listed below contributed to the following funds (click fund name to view donors or scroll down):
*Lists include deceased donors.
