Florida Writers Association and Hospice of the Comforter Join Forces to Help One Dying Man

How to begin? I’m not sure. I wrote the posting below last night but something happened this afternoon that had a great impact on me and the final outcome of this story. I guess I’ll just let you read it . . .  and then I’ll make some comments at the end.

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This is a great “feel good” story so settle in, get ready to smile and maybe even shed a tear two. It isn’t often in this world where so much seems to be going wrong that for once once everything went right. Here’s what happened.

Meet my friend Tony Mancuso. He’s offering you the best smile he can given his physical situation. You see, I’m a volunteer with Hospice of the Comforter here in Altamonte Springs, FL and Tony is a patient of mine. One day I found out that Tony is also a writer and before he got sick he published 1,200 copies of his first novel titled, The Lie Catcher. Tony classifies his work as a Christian mystery.

Finally realizing he would never be able to market his books Tony told me he would at least like to give them away in hopes some people might enjoy the story. Immediately, I approached Rose van der Burg, Director of Volunteer Services at Hospice of the Comforter about helping Tony’s wish come true.

Below is the front entrance to Hospice of the Comforter.

Rose loved the idea and together we started giving out copies of the book to interested volunteers and occasionally to churches. In the book, we included a letter from Tony explaining his situation and asking readers to consider dropping him a note at his group home and telling him what they thought of his work.

Here is some of what Tony said: “Please accept this book, The Lie Catcher, as a gift from me to you. I wrote it a while back, hoping to get it out into the world through proper marketing but God had other plans for me. After suffering a debilitating stroke, I find myself living in a group home and under the care of Hospice of the Comforter. So, instead of selling my book, I decided to give it away to people who might find it of interest. It really makes me happy to know that you are taking a copy and I very much hope you enjoy it.”

Eventually, Rose and her staff asked me to write a brief article about Tony and his books for their volunteer newsletter. This I did and you may click here to see that article.

It took a couple of months but we probably gave away 100 books or so and Tony received cards of appreciation from his readers that pleased him no end.

Then on a whim, I contacted Chrissy Jackson, president of Florida Writers Association (FWA) and asked her if there was any way she could help Tony. The motto of our statewide group is Writers Helping Writers  so . . .

Chrissy’s enthusiastic response was, “Of course we can help!” Without hesitation, she told me that if I could get 600 of Tony’s books to the Orlando Marriott Hotel in Lake Mary for our annual writers conference in October, she would have the books put into the goody bags for every participant. Talk about stunned! Nevertheless, I readily agreed we would find a way.

Above is the podium at the Florida Writers Association conference. Behind it are the banners showing the conferences’ sponsors.

Enter Rose van der Berg and Hospice of the Comforter once again. They printed 600 letters from me to conference participants with the volunteer newsletter article on the back. Finally, they picked up all 600 books and delivered them to the Orlando Marriott. By the opening day of the conference all 600 letters were inserted into 600 of Tony’s books and the books were then inserted into 600 goody bags.

During each day of the conference from October 21-23, 2011, FWA president Chrissy Jackson reminded all 500+ participants who Tony was and asked them to send him cards of thanks for his generous gift. She even set up a huge flip chart so people could write him notes. All through the conference, people told me how much Tony’s story touched them and asked me to also send their verbal good wishes to him.

Here is a picture of Chrissy Jackson and me with Tony’s book and the signed newsprint sheets behind us. I later had this picture made up into a 24″ x 18″ poster. That poster and all the newsprint sheets are now on Tony’s wall and cards have already started coming in for him. Even as weak as he is, his smile and wide eyes as he looks at all those things tells the story. “I can’t thank everyone enough for all they did,” he said.

My most sincere compliments to Rose van der Berg, Chrissy Jackson, Florida Writers Association and Hospice of the Comforter for a job well done. You folks are wonderful and you have made Tony’s last days as joyful as they could possibly be. Thank you so very much.

Anyone reading this blog who wants one of Tony’s books or would like to help distribute the rest of them can get in touch with me by simply using the contact form available on this website. If you live in Central Florida and want to consider volunteering for Hospice of the Comforter,  click here  for further information or contact me if you would prefer.

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That was last night. This afternoon, I got a call from Tony’s wife. She was at his bedside in tears. He had just died. My friend is gone and he will be greatly missed. But you know, I feel him with me here as I tap out these words. My experience in life tells me that a part of us continues on after death and I know Tony is OK. And as I think about it, I strongly suspect he held on until after the Florida Writers Conference. Rest well, buddy. You’ve earned it.