Employees at the Toppenish Safeway store join store manager Howard Jensen, far left, on July 27, to present a check for $9,100 to Rev. Ron Jetter, Executive Director of Lower Valley Hospice. 

By RICHARD BURGER

Toppenish Safeway employees once again demonstrated their generosity, when store manager Howard Jensen presented Lower Valley Hospice checks totaling more than $9,100.

The funds were accepted by Lower Valley Hospice Executive Director Rev. Ron Jetter.

Store employees donate through the Safeway Foundation employee-based program, and Toppenish Safeway employees have distinguished themselves with their contributions to the foundation.

Jensen said his store is number one in contributions both in the Seattle division of the company and company-wide.

He also said the employees are number one in their level of contributions per employee.

The Safeway Foundation giving program lets employees in the various districts determine the organizations that will receive funding from the foundation each year.

Each year, each Safeway store manager consults with individual employees to discuss a giving deduction, which comes from the employee’s earnings. 

Employees may choose to participate and set a level of contribution or may also choose to opt out.

When he accepted the check at the Toppenish Safeway, Jetter told the employees there that their contributions were especially important to help support the Lower Valley Hospice pediatrics program. 

He said there are 19 hospice organizations across the state, but only the one here offers pediatric care.

He said last year, 20 children and their families were served by the program. Six of those passed away during the year. 

LVH continues to serve the families of those children.

“We’re still (serving the family) two years after the child has passed away,” Jetter said.

He said his organization helps parents and siblings deal with the loss of the child through the grieving period.

Because they see the value of that support in their own circumstances, in some instances, the siblings have begun to consider pursuing a career in hospice.

Jetter also said that the in-home services LVH provided helped improve the condition of the 12 children that have survived, because they and their families are spared the numerous trips away from the home for medical care.

He repeatedly expressed his appreciation for the employee contributions that make that care possible.