To the editor:

Each year, when the students of Tupper Lake return to school from spring break, they begin fundraising to support High Peaks Hospice. This year at the L.P. Quinn Elementary School, pre-K students collected pennies, kindergarten raffled tickets to Water Safari, first grade sold freeze pops, second grade brought in loose change from home, third grade had a bake sale, fourth grade sold raffle tickets for sunny day and rainy day baskets, fifth grade sold popcorn, and sixth grade held a quilt raffle.

Altogether, they raised $7,365.05. The middle and high school helps out, too, and since 2005, the students have donated over $60,000 during the organization’s annual Radio Day fundraiser to support the mission of compassionate, end-of-life health care. I think you’ll agree, that’s incredible, maybe even heroic.

If you don’t know what hospice is, you’re not alone. Many people don’t understand until a loved one is in need of hospice care. But, if you watch the YouTube video, live-streamed from L.P. Quinn, www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Epn8qPXefo, you’ll find out. Sixth grader Brian, tells us, “Hospice is for people with serious illnesses who want to focus on having good days at the end of their life.” Jayden says, “Hospice provides expert care with a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. Volunteers are trained to be good listeners and sometimes help just by keeping a patient company while their caregiver takes a break.”

And Sierra points out that, “Insurance pays for most hospice services, but other costs are taken care of through fund raisers like Radio Day. The money you donate goes toward taking care of people in our community.”

The students of Tupper Lake understand that taking care of one another is important. This life lesson is nurtured by the school district’s superintendent, principals, teachers, and parents, and then reinforced by the generosity of the community. At a time when our daily news reports can project a dim outlook, there are lights that shine bright. Some of the brightest lights reside in Tupper Lake.

Thank you, sincerely, to everyone who supported our biggest annual fundraiser, Radio Day, with special thanks to the children of Tupper Lake.

Susan Rdzanek,

representing everyone at High Peaks Hospice