Contributions Plunge, Hospice House Remains Successful

Contributions to Hospice of Huntington have been plummeting because of the economic recession, but the agency has weathered the storm, without having to cut back programs or services.

Overall contributions decreased 65 percent from 2006 to 2007, from $1,736,609 to $604,919, according to tax documents. The decrease continued another 30 percent to 40 percent in 2008, said Barbara Cassidy, chief finance officer for Hospice of Huntington.

Cassidy said she expects contributions to continue decreasing but the main reason there was such a plunge from 2006 to 2007 was because of the capital campaign, which ended in 2006. The campaign was used to get pledges from businesses and other individuals to help fund the construction of the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, located on Staunton Road in Huntington.

The new Hospice House opened in May 2006, costing $6.5 million to build, Cassidy said. During the campaign, people were able to purchase a room in the house, which contained 14 rooms, and then donate the funds that it would cost to complete each room. Some contributors purchased the nursing station. Since then, there has not been any type of campaign held to raise more funds for the organization.

Bill and Lois Dolin remain the highest contributors to the organization. The Hospice House was named after Bill Dolin’s mother, Emogene Dolin Jones. The couple donated $301,546 in 2007, according to tax documents. Other individual contributors included the Board of Trustees of Prichard School, which donated $75,000 in 2006.

Although the organization received several other contributions from individuals in amounts usually of $5,000 or $20,000, the donations still fell in 2008 because of the economy, Cassidy said. People were no longer able to donate as much money as before. Regardless of the lack of contributions, the total revenue for the organization has remained at least $12 million since 2006.

According to 2007 tax forms, expenses also increased by roughly 20 percent, from $10 million to $12 million. Salaries for Cassidy and Charlene Farrell, executive director, also increased during that time as well, but only by about $3,000. Physicians for the organization received larger increases in salary.

Ann Conjura, a physician, earned roughly $50,000 more in 2007, than in 2006. Her salary increased from $80,769 to $130,409. The highest paid physician, James David Daniels, only received around $7,000 more but he was still the highest paid employee that was not part of the directors or trustees board. He made $154,327, according to tax documents.

There was no clear reason why Conjura received such an increase, compared to the small amounts that other employees received. The executive director only earned $3,000 more than she did the previous year. Yet, Conjura's overall salary is still higher that the directors.

The spring 2009 newsletter for Hospice states that Conjura is the chief medical director. However, Daniels still earns more than her and he is a normal medical director, not chief.

With salaries and expenses increasing, the organization has still managed to keep enough funds to cover all the costs without going into debt. Other events occurred in 2008 that allowed the organization to increase their funds or benefit in some way, which helped cover the costs of the increases. Miami Dolphins NFL quarterback Chad Pennington and former Patriots NFL wide receiver Troy Brown both helped raise money for the organization last year.

Brown held several fundraisers for the organization in 2008, including the “Hospice Bowl” at Strike Zone, according to the first quarter 2008 edition of “Sharing: A Publication of Hospice of Huntington.” He raised $65,000 through his fundraisers, Cassidy said.

Chad Pennington’s 1st and 10 Foundation gave the organization a grant for $50,000. The money was used to purchase a four-wheel drive vehicle, Cassidy said. The vehicle will help employees make house calls to patients in rural areas.

Two fundraisers are already scheduled for the organization, Cassidy said. A golf tournament will be held in August and a cruise will be held aboard the Belle of Cincinnati in October, with proceeds going to the Hospice House.