WINNEMUCCA— The Humboldt Volunteer Hospice and the Union Pacific Foundation have joined together for a fourth time to ensure that this area’s terminally and chronically ill patients receive the care they need.

Humboldt Volunteer Hospice Executive Director Mary Orr said the nonprofit has received $5,000 for Fiscal Year 2010 from the Union Pacific Foundation. That donation follows similar grants of $5,000 in 2007, $4,500 in 2008 and $5,000 in 2009.

“We are so thankful to our friends at Union Pacific for becoming our partners in the care of our community members,” said Orr this week. “In turn, we have come to appreciate how caring and compassionate the foundation is in understanding our needs and wanting to help us fill those needs.”

She continued, “That money is so important to our well-being as an organization. We continue to grow, but with that growth comes increased needs, and we are so grateful for every little bit.”

Orr said the Union Pacific Foundation money will be used to cover everything from administrative costs to training expenses to patient supplies, including the cost of pain medications that patients and their families can’t afford—but which are necessary to help comfort patients during their final days and hours.

“We can’t thank the Union Pacific Foundation enough for giving us a hand up,” Orr said. “It means so much.”

Union Pacific Foundation President Robert W. Turner notified Orr of the award earlier this

month; the money is designated for “program support.”  Turner told Orr that Union Pacific has a “long-standing commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve and where our employees live and work.”

Turner continued, “Our vision is that Union Pacific employees will take pride in their company’s civic leadership and that our customers and shareholders will appreciate and recognize Union Pacific as an excellent corporate citizen.”

Wesley Lujan, Union Pacific’s Director of Public Affairs, will present the check in person during a visit to the community this spring.

Orr said the more she learns about the railroad’s philanthropic efforts, the more amazed she feels. “I sincerely believe that Union Pacific cares about the communities they’re in and we are excited that they share our vision of improving the quality of life in our community and partnering with us to make that vision a reality,” she said.

Humboldt Volunteer Hospice is committed to honoring and supporting individuals in the Humboldt County community who are suffering from a chronic, debilitating or terminal illness.  All hospice care is provided at no cost to patients. Families do not need a doctor’s referral in order to access hospice services.

For more information on the Humboldt Volunteer Hospice, please contact HVH Executive Director Mary Orr at (775) 625-4263 or (775) 625-4040.