Just days after the Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Regatta, which took place the last weekend of August, raised $240,000 for its hospice homes, the organization made an official announcement. Sharp HospiceCare had purchased the property for its first South Bay hospice home in Bonita.
“We are thrilled to announce the purchase of this property and how it brings us one step closer to serving the needs of families and communities in the South Bay,” says Suzi K. Johnson, vice president of Sharp HospiceCare.
“Throughout the nine-month search for this home, the McMillin family has been an integral partner. We are grateful for the ongoing support that the McMillins have provided during this process through their generosity, compassion and resources,” Johnson said.
The 1.1-acre property will be the latest site of Sharp HospiceCare’s unique living environments, designed for patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness. Sharp’s hospice homes are custom designed and built in established, residential neighborhoods.
Scott McMillin, chairman of the board of McMillin Companies, and wife Susan, along with brother Mark and McMillin family matriarch Vonnie, donated a combined total of $500,000 to help fund Sharp HospiceCare’s efforts. Scott and Susan serve as co-chairs for Sharp’s Homes for Hospice Campaign, an initiative to expand its unique hospice home model-of-care throughout San Diego neighborhoods. In addition, Scott is a member of the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center board and Sharp HealthCare board.
The budget for the South Bay hospice home is $1.7 million. Current plans for the property include the tear-down of the existing structure in order to build a new home. Lead architect/designer for the project is Richard Yen and Associates. Completion of the home is planned for the summer of 2013.
Sharp’s hospice homes are the only places of their kind in San Diego County combining around-the-clock hospice care with an intimate, comfortable, home-like setting. Sharp currently operates two homes. The first is Lakeview Home in La Mesa; the second, the Parkview Home in Del Cerro.
A total of more than $2.5 million has been generously donated by grateful hospice patients and their families, community leaders and Sharp HealthCare employees and affiliated physicians. Additional funds will be invested in an endowment to support future operations of the home.
On Aug. 24 and 25, Sharp HospiceCare held the 10th annual HospiceCare Benefit Regatta. Co-hosted with Coronado Yacht Club and Cortez Racing Association, this year was the largest event since its inception. More than 40 sailboats raced in San Diego Bay, netting $240,000. The money raised goes to Sharp’s Homes for Hospice campaign.
