Crossroads Hospice of Philadelphia Patient Receives “Ultimate Gift” from Home Depot

Philadelphia, PA – August 22, 2007 – When Crossroads Hospice of Philadelphia patient, “Mr. D” was given the opportunity to fulfill his “Gift of the Day” wish; his only request was to remain in his home. But with a terminal cardiac condition, declining physical endurance, and a long flight of stairs, avoiding a nursing home seemed like impossibility. That is until Home Depot stepped in.

Through their community outreach program, local Home Depot managers, Erich Schulz and Tina Fierrio are able to help “Mr. D” receive a very special gift – to die peacefully in his long time Philadelphia residence. Home Depot has generously agreed to provide supplies and labor that will remodel a current unused area of the residence, allowing “Mr.D” the ability to relocate his bed and bathroom to his first floor. Along with Crossroads Hospice volunteers, Home Depot plans the repairs to begin on 8/21/07 and last the remainder of the week.

Crossroads Hospice of Philadelphia is a compassionate way of caring for the terminally ill and their families and has a team of professionals, ranging from physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, who help patients and families, cope with one of life’s toughest transitions. Crossroads believes in a level of care that is truly unsurpassed, which can best be exemplified by its “Ultimate Gift” philosophy. The “Gift of the Day” program has been developed to offer terminally ill patients the opportunity to realize an answer to the question “If you only had one day to live, what would it look like?”


For some, a trip to a favorite restaurant, beach, or sporting event may be the dream. For “Mr.D”, it is simply to help him remain in the house that holds his life’s memories. Without the commitment to the community of organizations like Home Depot, Crossroads Hospice would not be able to complete such incredible undertakings. In an age where news broadcasts fill our air waves with tragedies, it’s refreshing to see the combined efforts of these local agencies making a difference in people’s lives.

If you would like more information on this event, are interested in volunteering for Crossroads Hospice of Philadelphia, or would like to know if your loved one is appropriate for hospice care, please contact Terri Dructor at 215-956-5110.

(Crossroads Hospice is a licensed, Medicare approved, community based organization.)