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The Markie Foundation Donates $15,000 to Help Open George Mark Children's House

ROCKLIN, CA, May 9, 2003--In May 2003, The Markie Foundation donated $15,000 to support the opening of the George Mark Children's House (GMCH) in San Leandro, CA.

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2003, GMCH will be the first freestanding pediatric hospice and respite care (around-the-clock) facility in the United States. GMCH will provide two critical services currently not available to terminally ill children and their families: 1) a nurturing, home-like environment with the highest quality hospice care, enabling families to take a break from the non-stop responsibility of home care, and 2) a supportive, non-hospital setting in which these children can spend their last days with their families.

Rendering of George Mark Children's House, scheduled to open in the fall of 2003.

"We are extremely grateful for The Markie Foundation's support and generosity, which will enable us to provide new children's hospice services to families in need from throughout Northern California," says Michelle Forte, executive director at GMCH. "The opening of George Mark Children's House is an exciting development for all those who share a vision to make a positive difference in the lives of terminally ill children and their families."

The Markie Foundation has specified $12,000 of its funds to help launch GMCH's sibling bereavement program. Because the bereavement process is unique to every individual, a team of specialists at GMCH-including a psychosocial worker, child life specialist, spiritual care coordinator, and a group of skilled and trained family support volunteers-will provide support specific to each family member.

Support begins before the actual death of a child; it begins the moment a family becomes a part of the George Mark family. Siblings will receive much-needed attention within a nurturing and comfortable environment in which to share their feelings-ranging from anger and disappointment to fear, to abandonment and denial, to disbelief and sadness. Beyond specific one-on-one attention, the sibling support program includes group meeting sessions as well as therapies appropriate to the individual (music, art, and more).

While developing its own in-house program, GMCH will incorporate existing bereavement support programs from the community to offer a comprehensive support system that is integrated with the greater Bay Area and Northern California community.

"The Markie Foundation has been instrumental in helping us broaden the scope of our sibling bereavement programs," says Forte. "Bereavement programs will be open to families of children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses, regardless of whether they have stayed at George Mark Children's House."

The Markie Foundation also donated $3,000 for children's toys, books, and other play equipment at the house. For more information on GMCH, visit www.georgemark.org.

Construction progress of George Mark Children's House, September 2002.

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