The Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust Announces

$50,000 Matching Grant To The Hospice of Hope

The Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust, Fifth Third Bank, trustee, announced a $50,000 matching grant to Hospice of Hope.  A non-profit organization established in Mason County, Kentucky in 1988, Hospice of Hope is dedicated to improving the quality of life and death by providing emotional, spiritual and physical care to terminally ill patients, their families and the community.

Hospice of Hope, serves more than 600 patients a year and about 160 patients each day.  The service area of Hospice of Hope spans 11 counties in Northern Kentucky and Southwestern Ohio.  Patients are offered care in their homes, nursing homes or in hospice care center rooms.  During their time of need patients are treated with dignity and respect as they deal with life-limiting illnesses.

The matching grant, which was designated in July 2007, provided Hospice of Hope six months to raise $50,000.  At the expiration of that time period or when the match is made, the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust will match the funds up to $50,000.  Hospice of Hope will use the funds raised and matching grant for capital improvements to their new Inpatient Center.  The Inpatient Center contains five private suites at the newly constructed Adams County Regional Medical Center located in Seaman, Ohio.  The five hospice suites include all of the necessities but are enhanced to provide more of a home-like atmosphere.  In addition to these upgraded rooms, there is a family lounge complete with kitchen area, media station, and TV viewing area along with a private bath. The center is 100% staffed and operated by highly trained and educated Hospice of Hope employees, which results in better quality hospice care.

“Hospice of Hope Inpatient Center is the only hospice inpatient facility within our service area,” said Kavin Cartmell, executive director, Hospice of Hope.  “This project would not be possible without the support of the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust and the support of our multiple community donations.  We hope the Inpatient Center will allow us to further our mission and supply the community with quality hospice care.”

Heidi B. Jark, vice president and manager of the Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank, said, “Hospice of Hope ensures that their patients are administered care with the utmost dignity and respect. Such work is a fitting tribute to Jacob G. Schmidlapp, whose life’s work was a beacon of hope for those in need.”

Born in Piqua, Ohio in 1849 to German immigrants, Jacob G. Schmidlapp overcame poverty and great personal tragedy to become one of the most respected and successful men of his time.  He founded the Union Savings Bank in 1876, which merged with Fifth Third Bank in 1919. In 1903, Mr. Schmidlapp established a trust to help improve lives by funding arts, health and human services, education and community development initiatives.  A second Schmidlapp Trust was established in 1919.