Piedmont Society Luncheon Celebrates Community Support for Hospice Care
Warmth filled Farmington Country Club on September 16th as 128 friends and supporters gathered for Hospice of the Piedmont’s annual Piedmont Society Luncheon. Together, guests shared a meal, recognized the people at the heart of our work, and celebrated the generosity that helps families feel supported through serious illness, dying, and grief.
Nearly 500 Donors Strengthen Hospice and Palliative Care in Central Virginia
Welcoming guests, Board Member Dr. Francis Ansa shared a reminder that felt especially meaningful that day: “Community is not simply something we belong to. It is something we build together, through kindness, presence, and generosity.” That spirit was reflected by 493 Piedmont Society members, who contributed more than $2 million during the last fiscal year to strengthen care across our community.
Honoring Loved Ones Through Remembrance and Grief Support
In a quiet moment of remembrance, Piedmont Society member Waverley Lee lit a candle in honor of those we have cared for. Teresa Haase, Director of Bereavement Services, described its flame as “a gentle reminder of the love, light and memories that live on in our hearts.”
The Team Behind Compassionate Hospice Care
The afternoon then turned toward the people who carry this mission forward each day. Jenn Downs, VP of Marketing and Business Strategy, introduced a video featuring team members who walk alongside patients and families through some of life’s hardest and most meaningful moments. “They don’t talk about a job,” she shared. “They talk about purpose. They talk about gratitude. They talk about feeling privileged to do this work.” The video offers that gratitude back to the donors and supporters who make this care possible.
Expanding Hospice, Palliative, and Pediatric Care for Families
President and CEO Nancy Littlefield made that gratitude tangible through reminding guests of the moments families remember: pain easing, a weary caregiver hearing “We are here with you,” or a physician visiting someone at home. Hospice of the Piedmont now serves more than 700 patients each day through hospice and palliative care, and is looking ahead to extending specialized pediatric care to children and families facing serious or life-limiting illness. Philanthropy helps make that promise real, ensuring families have care, guidance, grief support, and someone to answer when they need help.
Watch: A Message of Gratitude From the Hospice of the Piedmont Team
As the luncheon came to a close, one message remained: none of this happens alone. In the video below, Hospice of the Piedmont team members share what this work means to them and why they are grateful to those who make it possible. We invite you to watch and share it with someone who believes no family should face serious illness or grief alone:
