By TIM BLYDENBURGH
Observer-Dispatch

HERKIMER -- The Herkimer County Hospice Foundation will continue to exist, even though the county disbanded its hospice program and transferred it to Hospice Care Inc. several months ago, foundation Chairman Kalman Socolof said.

The several thousands of dollars collected by the foundation before the hospice care disbanded will continue to benefit terminally ill Herkimer County residents through New Hartford-based Hospice Care, Socolof said.

"We absolutely are using and shepherding our money as prudently as possible -- no less prudently than the county legislators have been shepherding money for county taxpayers," he said. "We'll make sure to give our money to residents of Herkimer County."

County legislators at a recent meeting discussed the status of the transition after an agreement had been made to dispose of the Herkimer County Hospice's properties. Much of the properties came from the foundation, Socolof said.

Between 1993 and 2002, the foundation spent $255,800 on patient services in Herkimer County, money that came from donations, he said. The foundation also offered $200,000 to help the county keep the local hospice open, but it was not accepted and the transfer became effective November 2001.

After some legal action, the foundation, county and Hospice Care agreed to a disposition of properties that had been donated to the hospice by the foundation.

Properties included a 1997 Ford Explorer, fax machine, furniture and gowns, which were given to the Hospice Care for use or disposal. The foundation received a file cabinet, bookcase and other small items.

Socolof said the foundation continues to accept donations, which should in the near future be used to help county residents in palliative care -- which is provided by Valley Health Services and the Folts Homes in Herkimer, for example -- but donations will still be used to help county residents in the hospice program. Nothing specific has been worked out.

About 22 terminally ill Herkimer County residents were being helped by Hospice Care in February and March.

Planning is also under way for the foundation's first major fund-raiser, with details expected to be announced at a later date, he said. The nine-member foundation represents a cross-section of business people, retired people and professionals from across the county.

"We're hoping for a more prominent profile," Socolof said.

Donations to Herkimer County Hospice Foundation can be made to PO Box 345, Herkimer NY 13350. The phone number is 894-8069.