WILLIAMSBURG — Hospice House of Williamsburg is slated to reopen Monday, Oct. 14, following extensive renovations, and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open house on Friday, Oct. 11.
The ribbon-cutting was facilitated by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and attended by staff and local dignitaries, including Williamsburg Vice Mayor Pat Dent, James City County Supervisor Jim Icenhour and Del. Amanda Batten. Also in attendance were two of the co-founders, Bell-Jo Rodgers and Cynthia Lee.
“This is a very exciting day for Hospice House. You know, this project has been about 12 weeks in the making. It’s always difficult to have to pause admissions because we want to be able to be able to serve all the time. But this is the first time since 2002 that we had to shut down for any reason, for any extended time,” explained Brandon Randall, Hospice House Executive Director. “So, we’re excited to have this opportunity before we reopen on Monday, to share this amazing transformation with the public. But, we’re obviously super excited as well to get open again to serve the people who need us.”
Randall took time to thank the community, past and present staff, board and council members, donors and volunteers, “That’s what makes this place special. I truly is the house the community built.”
Liz White, president of the board, noted the renovation would not have been possible without the vision of Sterling Nichols, a builder and developer who had been involved in the construction of the house. Knowing renovations would need to be done at some point, Nichols created an endowment for that purpose.
The endowment is now managed by his son-in-law, Scott Wise, also a builder and developer, who committed the last two years to the renovation project.
“That is the definition of service. Here, when the sun comes up. Not leaving until after the sun goes down. Working very, very closely with our wonderful staff and companions to make sure that not only are we serving the needs of our guests, but also that our staff and companions have what they need to deliver the best service in the most loving and helpful way,” White said. “So, we are so grateful to the Sterling Nichols endowment, Sterling Nichols family, and Scott Wise, who is really the definition of service, in my mind. He has set a new mark for service. So, thank you so much.”
Established in 1982, Hospice House of Williamsburg is a not-for-profit social model hospice. All services are delivered free of charge and include on-site, end-of-life, 24/7 care in four guest suites at the house; bereavement services for surviving family members; and education on end-of-life for the community at large.
The Hospice House of Williamsburg facility was built with community donations and opened in July 2002. Since then, nearly 3,000 guests have been served there.
Learn more about Hospice House of Williamsburg at williamsburghospice.org.
