Artist paints ornaments for staff at Hospice after doing many for annual fundraiser

Provided photo: Bonnie Reigle, administrative assistant at Hospice of Orleans County, stands with boxes full of Christmas ornaments, painted and donated by Carol Culhane for the staff at Hospice. These are in addition to the 45 ornaments Culhane painted and donated for Hospice’s annual Light a Life fundraiser.

ALBION – After painting and donating 45 Christmas ornaments for Hospice of Orleans’ annual Light a Life fundraiser, local artist Carol Culhane wanted to do something for the staff at Hospice.

Early in her career, Culhane worked in the nursing field and continues to have a lot of compassion for those who are ailing and their caregivers, especially at Hospice.

This year Culhane decided to paint enough ornaments for the entire staff at Hospice, and she delivered them on Wednesday.

“I’m hopeful this will encourage people to consider a donation to Hospice, perhaps when a loved one dies, instead of sending flowers, send a donation to Hospice or purchase an ornament in their loved one’s name,” Culhane said. “This is a nice way to remember a loved one and help a worthy organization.”

Reigle said Hospice is very grateful for what Culhane does for them.

“She is so generous to our organization,” Reigle said. “When one gentleman in Florida got the ornament he ordered, it was broken, and Carol came here and painted another for him. But to do this for all our staff is amazing.”

Culhane explained painting the ornaments is a labor of love. She said she lines them up like a production line and it takes her about 30 minutes to paint each ornament.