Insights

‘Tis the Season to Give: Two Easy Ways to Show Those in Need We’re With You

The human journey is truly remarkable. It is alternately filled with beauty and love, joy and hope, fun and laughter — and a swirl of so many other good things. That doesn’t mean it is immune to tragedy. Sadness, loss and difficulties beyond our control are part of the human experience, too. Yet, it’s often the tough times that pull us together to lift one another up. A natural desire to help kicks in — whether it’s to lend a hand to a family member or a complete stranger.

Empathy is a powerful, deeply rooted instinct.

When someone loses a loved one, we comfort them. When someone hits a financial rough patch, we pitch in. When someone loses their home during a natural disaster, we help them rebuild. Our compassion is what makes humans so extraordinary.

While giving helps others, science shows it is good for the giver. The act of giving actually boosts our physical and mental health. Giving triggers the release of ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain that help lower stress and blood pressure, boost happiness, and fend off feelings of depression.

The Carnation Foundation (a 501c3 nonprofit organization created by the Agape Care Group) has harnessed all that goodwill and made it easy to give.

Going Beyond Symbols

The foundation’s inspiration — the carnation flower — is a fitting namesake considering its history. As one of the oldest flowers that dates back to Ancient Rome and Greece, carnations have been steadfast symbols of love, devotion, gratitude and remembrance for millennia.

Today, the Carnation Foundation brings the symbol to life with two charitable funds — the Patient With You Fund and Employee With You Fund.

“When someone is facing a tremendous loss or a crisis beyond their control, they often feel alone —which can be very real and very frightening,” says DeeDee Henderson, chief mission officer of Agape Care Group. “We want the people of our communities to know they aren’t forgotten or alone. We’re here. We’ll stand beside you with a helping hand. We are with you.”

In the short time since the launch of the foundation’s With You funds, response has been very heartening. “We are honored that so many kind people have joined us to help lift up members of our communities,” DeeDee adds.

Easing End-of-Life Journeys

The Patient With You Fund provides tangible support by providing financial assistance and other resources to hospice and palliative care patients and their families navigating end-of-life journeys.

“Serving individuals in the community gives us firsthand insight into how unmet needs can make the burden of care even higher, especially at a time when focus should be on the comfort of their loved one, spending quality time together, creating last memories, embracing those precious moments,” says Troy Yarborough, CEO of Agape Care Group. “As local people serving local communities, we were inspired to do something meaningful to help our neighbors, and we are so grateful that so many kind individuals are supporting our mission through their donations.”
The Carnation Foundation is honored to serve and help hospice and palliative individuals in the communities we serve.

Caring for Our Own

The devoted front-line employees of Hospice of the Carolina Foothills work hard to care for patients and their families during the hardest part of their lives. Yet, they aren’t immune to difficult times of their own. From time to time, someone on our team may suddenly find themselves in need. The Employee With You Fund offers aid to the dedicated and selfless care providers who serve our patients and their families. It’s no surprise that co-workers and patients’ family members are among the funds generous contributors. Still, every donation from every individual is a welcome gift toward caring for our people during times of unusual financial hardship.

“It takes a rare kind of individual to care for those in their greatest time of need. Their skill, compassion, kindness, and respect mean the world to patients and their families. So, when one of our own people experiences an unexpected crisis, we want to step in and help them any way we can,” says Troy. “Our Employee With You Fund allows us to address some of their immediate needs, lighten their load, and relieve some of the stress they’re feeling.”

Not long ago, an employee got a call none of us want to receive; her home was on fire. Although firefighters were able to save her two beloved dogs, Bella and Sadie, her house and all of her family’s belongings were lost to the blaze. “The Carnation Foundation contacted me directly the next day, jumped in and provided assistance to me and my family,” the grateful employee reveals.

The family was able to purchase clothes, medicine and basic necessities lost in the fire. “My family’s horrible day became brighter because of the Carnation Foundation’s generosity.”

Those words mean the world to us.

Giving Is Always Good

If you’d like to give to the Patient With You Fund or the Employee With You Fund, you’ll find a link to both here.

Your financial gift to the Carnation Foundation is tax deductible and 100% of your donation goes directly to those in need. Our donation page makes it easy to make a $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 gift – or a donation of any amount. Every gift helps no matter how big or small. As we are reminded by the words of Maya Angelou, “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

On behalf of everyone at the Carnation Foundation and those who receive its gifts, thank you for standing With Us.