Wellness House Kicks Off Fundraising Challenge with DeCesaris Family Foundation & Maryland’s First Lady

Wellness House Kicks Off Fundraising Challenge with DeCesaris Family Foundation & Maryland’s First Lady

Wellness House of Annapolis Kicks Off Fundraising Challenge with Support from The Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation and Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan

Wellness House of Annapolis is excited to announce that the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation has pledged to match – dollar for dollar – donations to Wellness House up to $50,000 received now through December 15, 2019.

The DeCesaris family graciously hosted a fundraising kick-off reception which netted over $30,000 in support of the local nonprofit’s services to cancer patients and their families. In attendance was Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan, who is no stranger to the value of this mission:

“Wellness House of Annapolis is a healing place for both body and soul. As a caregiver myself, I know cancer can be complicated and stressful and can bring up difficult emotions – that’s where The Wellness House of Annapolis comes in. This House has something for everyone – those who have been touched by cancer as well as family and friends who are providing support. Thank you to the dedicated staff, the DeCesaris family, and many friends at Wellness House. God bless.”

This generous gift-matching pledge helps make possible the numerous free support groups, counseling services, health and well-being programs, classes, and more, available to community members affected by cancer. Wellness House looks to the community for help reaching and surpassing this $50,000 goal. This is a unique opportunity for any person who supports cancer and wellness programs at the Wellness House, to double the impact of their contributions. The proceeds will help meet the needs of our growing community in 2020.

Those interested in contributing may visit www.annapoliswellnesshouse.org/donate to donate.

Over $70,000 Raised by Community for Local Cancer-Support Nonprofit

Over $70,000 Raised by Community for Local Cancer-Support Nonprofit

Over $70,000 Raised by Community for Local Cancer-Support Nonprofit

On a gorgeous end -of-summer evening, community members gathered on the Catherine Marie – a Watermark yacht – to show their support for Wellness House of Annapolis. Wednesday, September 11, 2019 marked Wellness House’s 5th annual Anchors Away! Sunset Cruise on the Severn, a dynamic evening where a wide range of locals looking to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

Over $70,000 was raised for the cause, thanks to a great turnout by generous supporters and donors, including Hospice of the Chesapeake, The Jim and Linda Humphrey Foundation, and The William J. Shaw Family Foundation, Inc., to name a few. The evening’s success allows the Annapolis nonprofit to continue to offer dozens of cancer survivorship programs, support groups, wellness and counseling services, and more free of charge to community members who have been touched by the disease.

Wellness House of Annapolis Announces New Executive Director

Wellness House of Annapolis Announces New Executive Director

Wellness House of Annapolis Announces
New Executive Director

Wellness House of Annapolis (WH) is excited to announce a new Executive Director, Mary Jermann. Jermann joins WH leadership after working with Hospice of the Chesapeake as director of volunteer services. She brings a dedication to working with volunteers to provide compassionate care for patients and families.

With an extensive background in both corporate and nonprofit arenas, Jermann joins a warm team of professionals devoted to supporting the nonclinical psychosocial needs of Marylanders affected by cancer and their families. “Wellness House is so fortunate to have someone with Mary Jermann’s character and leadership experience as Executive Director,” MaryAleese Schreiber, vice president of the Wellness House Board of Directors, states. “She is passionate about our mission and has a ‘can-do’ attitude. Mary and our dedicated staff will be an excellent team.”

Jermann has nearly three decades of corporate experience, including roles as vice president at T. Rowe Price and director of operations at Kinloch & Associates. Her rich history in working with a variety of nonprofits includes several years as a licensed consultant with the Maryland Nonprofits’ Standards for Excellence program. Jermann holds a bachelor of science degree from University of Maryland and is certified as a life coach by the Martha Beck Institute. When describing this next phase of her career at WH, Jermann explains, “After my own personal experiences and working with hospice patients, I have developed a passion for wellness programs, which has led me to this warm, welcoming home full of compassionate people. I am looking forward to expanding these offerings to reach more individuals and organizations within the community we serve.”

Jermann starts her new position as Executive Director of WH on August 5. She can be contacted at mary@annapoliswellnesshouse.org.

Camp kicking off summer for children touched by cancer

Camp kicking off summer for children touched by cancer

Annual Camp Kicking Off Summer for
Children Touched by Cancer

This week Wellness House of Annapolis hosted its 8th Annual Paint Your Rainbow Summer Camp for over 30 children affected by cancer in their families, through a loved one with the disease. We were joined by wonderful – and generous – local businesses who gifted their time and resources for activities, including:

  • Therapeutic Song Writing with music therapist Sean Lane, Therapeutic Art with Artworks Studio, and Goat Yoga with Goat to be Zen Yoga
  • Exploring nature and critters with EcoAdventures, and reading stories with therapeutic dogs thanks to Caring Canines
  • Photography Scavenger Hunt with Wendy Preslan of NanaSue Photography, Irish Dancing with Junior LAOH Irish Dancers, and had Family Portraits thanks to Emily Schmitt Photography
  • Frozen treats thanks to Kona Ice, lunches thanks to Galway Bay, Papa John’s Pizza, Naval Bagels, Chick Fil A, Sam’s Club, and desserts thanks to Subway and Uncle Bob’s cookies

Campers learned mindfulness strategies, expressed themselves through art, and found new ways to resiliently cope with cancer in their families through music and friendship. They also identified strengths within themselves and others through photography. Thanks to generous community supporters, this was all at no cost to families at Wellness House of Annapolis.

For more on our camp, visit our Facebook page.

Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation Generously Matches Wellness House of Annapolis Fundraising

Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation Generously Matches Wellness House of Annapolis Fundraising

Wellness House of Annapolis Kicks Off Fundraising Challenge with Support from The Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation and Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan

Wellness House of Annapolis is excited to announce that the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation has matched $100,000 in donations raised for Wellness House to continue to provide education, counseling, wellness programs, and more services free to thousands of community members affected by cancer!

Wellness House relies entirely on individual donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships to make numerous opportunities for life-changing support available at no cost to the community. Abundantly generous support from community fundraising efforts allowed Wellness House to reach its $100,000 goal in December 2018, and the gracious matching gift of $100,000 by the DeCesaris Family foundation ensures that Wellness House will be able to continue to serve the community in 2019.