Nearing the end of 2015, an offer was made by the Habematolel Pomo Tribe to buy the Upper Lake WestAmerica Bank Building and on Feb. 26, the paperwork was signed and the tribe now owns the former bank building.
In March 2015, Sinda Knight and Lisa Kline of WestAmerica Bank visited me at the hospice office. This wasn’t their first time here, the long-time support from WestAmerica Bank has brought them numerous times, usually with generous donations. Like many Lake County residents, they have had loved ones on hospice care, and they personally support our work, in addition to advocating support of our work with WestAmerica Bank employees.
The visit in March 2015 was similar in that they were stopping by to reiterate how much WestAmerica Bank supported the organization. What was unique was that instead of providing a check, they opened a folder with photos of a building. The building in the photos was the Upper Lake WestAmerica Bank Building. They told me that they were closing the branch, and that as a result of their recommendation the building was to be donated to hospice. The donation amounted to a 9,900-percent increase in support. The Board of Directors of Hospice Services of Lake County voted to accept the Upper Lake Building, located at 9470 Main St., Upper Lake, even though discussions continued about how it could support the mission of the organization.
At the September Strategic Planning Retreat, the board and staff considered many options for the building, including renting or selling it. We reached out to the Upper Lake community to get their ideas for the building, and that was when we learned that the Habematolel Pomo Tribe was interested in the building for much needed office space.
Hospice Services of Lake County will use the proceeds from the sale of the building to ensure hospice care and bereavement services continue for many generations. While hospice care is covered 100 percent by Medicare, Medi-Cal and most private insurance, we are committed for caring for those with serious illness, regardless of medical coverage and ability to pay. In 2015, Hospice Services of Lake County provided $78,000 in uncompensated care.
For more information about the care that Hospice Services of Lake County provides and to answer any questions,
visit our website at www.lakecountyhospice.org or call 707-263-6222.
