Author: Todd Benton

 Renewed support from Foster Family Foundation affirms Heavenly Home as Orange County’s only nonprofit residential hospice facility 

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – August 3, 2026— The Southern California Hospice Foundation announced that it has received a $100,000 grant from the Foster Family Foundation to support the Heavenly Home. It is the second consecutive year of funding at this level and the third straight year the foundation has invested in the organization. 

The funding will directly support operations at Orange County’s only nonprofit residential end-of-life care home which provides 24-hour care and housing for residents facing terminal illness. Located in Mission Viejo, the Heavenly Home enables families to focus on spending quality time with their loved ones rather than managing daily caregiving responsibilities. 

Southern California Hospice Foundations offers comprehensive services that go beyond traditional hospice care for its residents, including round-the-clock caregiving, non-invasive symptom management, personal care, and meal preparation. Residents also benefit from music, art, and pet therapy programs designed to enhance comfort and quality of life in their final months. 

Last year, the Heavenly Home delivered 41,590 hours of hands-on, around-the-clock support to 27 residents ranging from 48 to 100. The care facility operated at a full or near-full capacity throughout 2025 which is a reflection of the demand for nonprofit residential hospice care. 

“The need for end-of-life care in Orange County is greater than many may realize,” said Michelle Wulfestieg, Executive Director of Southern California Hospice Foundation. “As demand grows for compassionate and accessible end-of-life care, Foster Family Foundation has given us support to ensure that the Heavenly Home remains a peaceful place with consistent access to care for individuals with nowhere else to turn.” 

About Southern California Hospice Foundation 
Founded in 2002, Southern California Hospice Foundation’s mission is to deliver a breadth of resources to caregivers, families, and patients confronting the final stages of life. It runs the Heavenly Home, founded in 2023, which is the first-of-its-kind residential home in Orange County, California to give terminally ill patients and their loved ones time and space to make lasting memories. In addition to Heavenly Home,  Southern California Hospice Foundation provides financial and other basic assistance such as food deliveries, transportation, and granting wishes to the dying. 

About Foster Family Foundation 
The Foster Family Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been intentionally designed to provide equal access to equitable opportunities, programs, and resources for individuals living in marginalized and under-resourced communities. 

Media Contact: 
Maddi Larsen 
Southern California Hospice Foundation 
Maddi@Socalhospicefoundation.org 
(949) 838-7708 

Fourth Annual Dolled Up: Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy brought together supporters from across Southern California to benefit patients and families facing the final stages of life

MISSION VIEJO, Calif., May 19, 2026 –The Southern California Hospice Foundation proudly announced that its sold-out fourth annual Dolled Up: Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy luncheon raised nearly $55,000 to support compassionate end-of-life care and family support programs across Southern California.

Held May 6 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, the inspiring afternoon brought together philanthropists, advocates, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community members in support of the Foundation’s mission to provide dignity, comfort, and compassionate support to individuals and families navigating the final stages of life.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Southern California Hospice Foundation programs, including Heavenly Home — Orange County’s only nonprofit residential end-of-life care home — as well as transportation assistance, food deliveries, financial support, caregiver resources, and wish-granting services for terminally ill patients and their loved ones.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us at Dolled Up and helped make this event such a success,” said Southern California Hospice Foundation Executive Director Michelle Wulfestieg. “Every dollar raised helps us continue providing compassionate care, practical support, and meaningful moments for patients and families during some of life’s most difficult transitions.”

The luncheon featured keynote remarks from six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, inspirational speaker, and Be Kind & Co. founder Lu Parker. Drawing from her own experiences with grief, resilience, and personal transformation, Parker shared a heartfelt message about kindness, connection, and the importance of showing up for others during life’s most vulnerable moments.

One of the event’s most moving moments came from Natasha McIntyre, who shared the deeply personal story of her late husband Eddie’s final weeks at Heavenly Home. “Heavenly Home gave my family something I didn’t know was possible during our darkest moments — peace,” said Natasha McIntyre. “They cared not only for Eddie, but for our entire family with love, dignity, and compassion every single day.”

The event also featured a women-owned marketplace showcasing local businesses and artisans, many of whom donated 10% of proceeds back to support Southern California Hospice Foundation’s mission. Participating vendors included Broken Treasures, CoCo Cares, Heavenly Home resident Dale Brown, Good JuJu Candle Co., Kohala Plantation, Laurie Marshall Art, Lisa Marie Jewelry, Petite Fleur, and The Diva Wears Pink.

Southern California Hospice Foundation extends special thanks to the generous sponsors who helped make the event possible, including Apriem Advisors, the Surmanian Family, Hoag at Home, Teri Hausman, Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary, MemorialCare, the Law Offices of Kay Walker, Vision Viejo Hospice Service, and Jenny Roney.

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About Southern California Hospice Foundation
Founded in 2002, the Southern California Hospice Foundation provides resources and compassionate support to patients, caregivers, and families facing the final stages of life.
Through programs including Heavenly Home, Orange County’s first nonprofit residential end-of-life care home, the Foundation helps address critical unmet needs beyond the scope of traditional hospice care. Services include caregiving support, housing assistance, transportation, food deliveries, financial assistance, and fulfilling final wishes — ensuring that no one faces the end of life alone.

Media Contact
Maddi Larsen
Maddi@socalhospicefoundation.org
(949) 838-7708

Foster Family Foundation doubles previous grant while Samueli Foundation selects the nonprofit from over 1,000 applicants

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – September 19, 2025 — The Southern California Hospice Foundation received $200,000 in grants from two major family foundations, demonstrating the philanthropic confidence in the nonprofit’s approach to end-of-life care.

The Foster Family Foundation doubled its investment from 2024 with a $100,000 grant, reinforcing confidence in the organization’s impact and use of resources. The funding supports operations at Heavenly Home, Orange County’s only nonprofit residential facility, which provides 24-hour care and housing for residents facing terminal illnesses.

The Samueli Foundation also awarded Southern California Hospice Foundation $100,000, selecting it as one of 138 local nonprofits from more than 1,000 applicants for its inaugural Breakaway Fund award. This funding supports essential annual operational costs, including accounting and insurance, enabling the hospice to remain focused on pioneering compassionate end-of-life-care for patients in Orange County.

“We are deeply grateful to both the Foster Family Foundation and the Samueli Foundation for their confidence in our mission,” said Michelle Wulfestieg, Executive Director of Southern California Hospice Foundation. “These complementary grants strengthen patient care and organizational stability and further champion our efforts to uplift and serve others at the end of life.”

About Southern California Hospice Foundation
Founded in 2002, Southern California Hospice Foundation’s mission is to deliver a breadth of resources to caregivers, families, and patients confronting the final stages of life. It runs the Heavenly Home, founded in 2023, which is the first-of-its-kind residential home in Orange County, California to give terminally ill patients and their loved ones time and space to make lasting memories. In addition to Heavenly Home,

Southern California Hospice Foundation provides financial and other basic assistance such as food deliveries, transportation, and granting wishes to the dying.

About Samueli Foundation
The Samueli Foundation’s mission is to make Orange County, California a vibrant mosaic of community well-being. We support and unite catalytic forces whose innovations yield a high quality of life for everyone. The Samueli Foundation works closely with the constellation of Samueli Family-backed for-profit and non-for-profit organizations to ensure that giving back to the community is central to everything they do; these include the Anaheim Ducks Foundation, the San Diego Gulls Foundation, the Irvine Ice Foundation, The Rinks Foundation, and OC Sports & Entertainment which oversees the Family’s sports and entertainment assets including the Anaheim Ducks, the San Diego Gulls, and the Honda Center.
Over the last 25 years the Samueli Family, through its various entities, has contributed over $1 billion in charitable grants.

About Foster Family Foundation
The Foster Family Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been intentionally designed to provide equal access to equitable opportunities, programs, and resources for individuals living in marginalized and under-resourced communities.

Media Contact:
Maddi Larsen
Southern California Hospice Foundation
Maddiblarsen@gmail.com
(949) 838-7708