A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Mercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 N. McKinley Ave. in Endicott, N.Y. on Sunday, Feb. 28. Assisting in the ribbon cutting were Rev. Jan Devine and Rev. Dr. Timothy Devine of the First Presbyterian Church of Endicott, Elizabeth Davidson, Sr. lay leader of Christ Church, Rev. Clarence F. Rumble, Rev. John Martinichio of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rev. Phil Jordan and Rabbi Barbara Goldman Wartell of Temple Concord.
Pictured is one of the rooms inside Mercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 N. McKinley Ave. in Endicott, N.Y. Seating rooms, a dining room, a chapel, and a lovely room with a fountain highlight the facility. Established as an alternative to a nursing home, hospital or at-home care, the mission of Mercy House is to provide compassionate, end of life care.
Guests line the walk way and wait to tour the Mercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 N. McKinley Ave. in Endicott, N.Y. on Sunday, Feb. 28, during a grand opening celebration. Formerly Saint Casimir’s Church, Mercy House was established as an alternative to a nursing home, hospital or at-home care, and provides compassionate, end of life care.
A beautiful late winter day brought hundreds of guests to the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Mercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 N. McKinley Ave. in Endicott, N.Y. Guests were invited to tour the facility and stay for a reception where light refreshments were served.
Several elected officials and local dignitaries attended the Mercy House of the Southern Tier grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony held on Sunday, Feb. 28. Pictured, center, is Senator Fred Akshar speaking with guests who toured the new Mercy House facility.
A mild and sunny late winter day on Sunday, Feb. 28 was the perfect setting for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at Mercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 North McKinley Ave. in Endicott, N.Y. Located in the former St. Casimir’s church building, Mercy House is a non-denominational, community care shelter, which supports 24-hour care for individuals with a terminal illness in the final days of their life’s journey. Mercy House is an alternative to a nursing home, hospital or at-home care and was established for residents of Broome, Tioga and Chenango counties.
Rev. Clarence Rumble, pastor at the Church of the Holy Family in Endwell, N.Y. is credited with the vision for Mercy House of the Southern Tier, which is modeled after Francis House in Syracuse. Project planning for Mercy House started about two years ago.
Anthony R. Paniccia, president of Mercy House, opened the ceremony. Paniccia explained that the character of the original building has been maintained; a few of those examples being the reuse of light fixtures and stained glass and turning pews into seating within residents rooms. Paniccia shared that there are ten residents’ rooms, seating rooms, dining room, pantry, consultation room and a chapel, among other areas.
Paniccia stated, “Thank you to the over 2,500 people who dedicated their time and talent to make this a reality.”
At the ceremony, Paniccia acknowledged Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo’s assistance in acquiring a $250,000 grant, and also acknowledged a $250,000 donation from the Lourdes Foundation.
Other sources of funds, too many to list, included a previous donation of $25,000 from the Friends of Hospice of Tioga County. The estimated $600,000 annual costs to maintain Mercy House will come from donations and fundraisers.
Mercy House will be staffed by professionals and as many as 200 trained volunteers. Hospice of Lourdes will provide exclusive hospice services to residents. A home-like environment housing private rooms with amenities, including a lovely seating area with an artistically designed glass fountain, Mercy House will host open visiting hours for family and friends. There is no cost for residents to stay at Mercy House, although donations and insurance are considered.
Mercy House officially opens on Feb. 29 and will welcome its first residents by the first full week in March.
Rev. Rumble shared, “Pope Francis has declared this year as a year of mercy, and how appropriate that we celebrate this as we open the doors of Mercy House of the Southern Tier.”
For more information about Mercy House or to consider becoming a volunteer, call (607) 321-1857, find them on Facebook or visit their website, mercyhousesoutherntier.com.
Anthony R. Paniccia, president of Mercy House, speaks during a grand opening ceremony held at Mercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 N. McKinley Ave. in Endicott, N.Y. on Sunday, Feb. 28. Standing to his left is Rev. Clarence F. Rumble, founder of Mercy House, which is a home for people with a terminal illness and provides end of life care for residents of Broome, Tioga and Chenango counties. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
