Out & About: New Excela hospice program helps kids deal with grief

“What do I do with the sad that I feel?”

Excela Health Hospice is helping children deal with that question through its Neighborhood Kids grief support program.

Attendees at the hospice Neighborhood Christmas event, held Dec. 5 at Rizzo’s Banquet Facility in Crabtree, were given an introduction to the program.

It’s not by accident that the question brings Mister Rogers to mind — the children’s television neighbor sang a song about “the mad that I feel.” In planning for the new program, hospice reps sought advice from the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College.

Students in the Fred Rogers Scholars Program “went into the archives to research what Fred Rogers really had said about childhood grief,” Excela communications officer Robin Jennings said.

Also in partnership with Seton Hill University and with support from the Greensburg-based Jamie Cordial Hall Foundation, the kids’ support program for children ages 2-14 started in September, with about 20 young people, accompanied by an adult, participating. A program for older teens will launch in 2020.

In welcoming guests, Excela Director of Marketing Rob Firment said, “I apologize in advance if you were hoping for Tom Hanks!”

There was certainly no disappointment with the hearty antipasti bar, Italian buffet and generous cookie table.

Event chairs were Meghan Scalise, Excela business development manager, and Erica Shaffer, Excela Home Care and Hospice executive director.

On the guest list: Maureen Ceidro, Kristy Walter, Dana Winters, Dani Moss, John and Donna Sphon, Thomas and Ann Albanesi, Timothy and Linda Fedele, Dane and Kim Ficco, Dr. Carol Fox and Jim Fox, Albert Novak, Dr. Thomas Gessner, Ray Charley, David and Debbie Delisi, Ron and Joann Eberhardt, Jess and Joan Stairs, Teresa Petrick, Nat and Melanie Pantalone, Norma Skillings, Linda Dixon and Nicholas Kosanovich.