Local community member and Boy Scout Aidan Cabelera, 17, has a dream to follow in the footsteps of his role models, his grandfather Dennis Snider and great-grandfather Hank Ethier, both of whom have passed. Giving back and supporting the community is something that is near and dear to his family. Aidan has chosen to follow his grandfather’s path and is working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. A requirement of becoming an Eagle Scout is planning, developing and providing leadership to others in a service project that will benefit a community organization.

“Community Hospice holds a special place in my family’s hearts,” said Aidan. “My family was blessed to have Community Hospice provide services and support when my great-grandfather passed.”

Hank and Dennis were both supporters of Community Hospice and spent a great deal of time volunteering for the organization. They believed in the mission of providing compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and their families, regardless of ability to pay.

Aidan’s great-grandfather Hank also proudly served in the United States Military. Community Hospice has long dreamed of creating a Veterans Pavilion to honor both community veterans and veteran families that have been recipients of Community Hospice services. Aidan’s Eagle Scout project became the catalyst in moving forward the Veterans Pavilion project when he approached the Community Hospice Foundation about installing a flag pole to honor his great-grandfather. The aspiring Eagle Scout formed a successful campaign to help raise the funds needed for his flag pole memorial project.

Community Hospice’s Veterans Pavilion will provide a space for families to honor their loved ones who have passed that have served in the armed forces. The Pavilion will include a reflection patio and will allow people the opportunity to sit and reflect on the life of a loved one. Engraved memorial bricks and pavers are available for purchase through give.hospiceheart.org. All proceeds benefit the patients, families and programs of Community Hospice.

The Community Hospice Veterans Pavilion dedication ceremony was hosted on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 at 11:11 a.m. at the main campus at 4368 Spyres Way in Modesto.

Community Hospice is a nonprofit, community based hospice agency, serving the Central Valley since 1979. Community Hospice provides compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and their families, regardless of the ability to pay. Care is provided extends to over 250 patients every day in private homes, skilled nursing facilities and at the 16-room Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, call (209) 578-6300 or visit www.hospiceheart.org.