PALM BEACH, Fla. (January 5, 2011) —
The Palm Beach Membership of the Hospice Foundation of Palm Beach County has announced Lynn Homes and Sharon O’Neil will chair Hospice Evening 2011. The elegant evening of dinner and dancing will take place Friday, January 14 at The Breakers in Palm Beach. This year’s event will open with a fashion show featuring Giambattista Valli’s Spring-Summer 2011 collection, presented by Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach. All proceeds from Hospice Evening support the services of Hospice of Palm Beach County, which provides expert medical, emotional and spiritual care for individuals with a life-limiting illness and their loved ones.

In addition to being active with the Palm Beach Membership, Chairman Lynn Homes was involved with the Arthritis Foundation and The John Hopkins Hospital, where she served under Dr. Ben Carson, known around the world for separating Siamese twins enjoined at the head. Inspired by her work there, Homes then volunteered her time through Hunt’s Memorial United Methodist Church, counseling students and encouraging them to work for the Children’s Miracle Network of Johns Hopkins. She also acted as vice president for the Baltimore-based cultural arts group, Diversions, Inc., and escorted members all over the world providing sophisticated private events for more than 20 years.

 “Anything I can do to advance the critical work Hospice provides is an honor,”   said Homes. “The support and care they give to patients and their families, and what they do to add to the quality of life and our community is something I want to support. Personally, I get a great deal of comfort knowing that the quality of services Hospice would provide to my family members and friends, should they ever require that level of care. Most important of all, these services are available to the whole community through the support of events like Hospice Evening.  I want to do everything I can to help support the mission.”

Before accepting the role of chairman of Hospice Evening, Sharon O’Neil had already devoted much of her life to working with Hospice. As a certified hospice and palliative nurse, she was part of the examination committee for the National Board of Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses, and acted as clinical education coordinator and ethics committee member at Hospice of Palm Beach County. O’Neil also served on the board of directors at Jewish Family and Children’s services, and was a Palm Beach Heart Ball chairman for the American Heart Association and co-chairman of the American Friends of Magen David Adom’s Palm Beach gala, among other volunteer positions.

“The end-of-life support I witnessed while working with Hospice of Palm Beach County left an indelible mark on me,” O’Neil said. “It’s difficult to describe my experiences as a Hospice nurse because it is a team of caregivers that provide physical, psychological and spiritual care for patients and families. It is not an easy job and I’m often asked how I could do it. The answer is clear. My patients taught me so much that it was a privilege to care for them and to be part of the Hospice team. Now, with the ever-changing health care system, the money we raise at Hospice Evening 2011 will help ensure that Hospice of Palm Beach County will continue its excellent care for those in the final stages of living.”

About the Palm Beach Membership of Hospice Foundation of Palm Beach County

The Palm Beach Membership of Hospice Foundation of Palm Beach County supports the services of Hospice of Palm Beach County, which provides expert medical, emotional and spiritual care for individuals with a life-limiting illness and their loved ones. The organization also offers full bereavement support to Hospice families and anyone in the community in need.