Fond du Lac firefighters are stepping up to help support an expansion project at the Hospice Home of Hope. The Firefighters Local 400 Charitable Fund presented a check for $1,000 to help support the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation’s efforts to raise $2.5 million to add more private patient rooms at the Hospice Home of Hope. Foundation executive director Rita Meidam says construction on the expansion is expected to begin next spring. Fire Chief Peter O’Leary says firefighters are happy to show their support for a worthwhile service. The Hospice Home of Hope first opened – thanks to Agnesian HealthCare Foundation funding – in spring 2000. The Hospice Home of Hope is a residential facility providing hospice care to individuals who are diagnosed with a terminal disease, have a life expectancy of less than six months and no longer wish to remain at home. The expansion – slated to begin in spring 2016 – will add new private, homelike rooms. Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Milwaukee, is serving as architect, with CD Smith Construction as general contractor. Meidam says the Fond du Lac Firefighters Local 400 Charitable Fund gets the Foundation off to a great start in its fund-raising efforts, especially as the need for hospice services continues to grow. “We are so grateful that the Fond du Lac Firefighters Local 400 Charitable Fund is supporting us in this way right from the start,” she says. “The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation felt strongly about introducing this service to the Fond du Lac area 15 years ago through its initial donation. In this case, we realize there is a need for the community to have this expansion. It’s the work we do to provide at a time when there is so much need.”
