For the past few years, Jamie Billquist and a legion of supporters have been making sure local families in need put food on the table on Thanksgiving Day. The annual holiday gift is part of Billquist’s overall mission to honor his late wife and give back to the community.
“The last six years have been very helpful to me as I have been able to help so many families in need in memory of Rosemary,” Billquist told the Post-Journal this week. “I met so many kind people who were willing to help.”
Rosemary “Rosie” Billquist died six years ago today while walking her dog outside her home in Sherman. At the time of her passing, she was a Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care volunteer and worked at UPMC Chautauqua.
Since that evening, Wednesday, November 22, 2017, the Rosemary Billquist Memorial Fund has been established through the Chautauqua Area Community Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to “support the organizations and causes closest to her heart,” the foundation said.
Each year, money raised through fundraisers and other activities is distributed to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, and the Southern Tier Kidney Association.
“We have so many people coming to our two events every year,” Billquist said of the fundraisers, Rosie’s Run in Sherman and the popular golf tournament. “Without them, we couldn’t do what we do. We want to keep her memory alive as long as people keep coming to our events.”
On Sunday, Billquist and friend Matt Ehrman once again handed out 100 turkeys and other Thanksgiving essentials. As in previous years, Dave and Addie Waller from Save-A-Lot provided much of the food.
To date, hundreds of families in need have been helped through this donation and the Rosemary Billquist Memorial Fund.
“I think she’s proud of everything I’ve done and all the volunteers who have always helped with everything,” Billquist said. “She was an amazing person who touched so many people’s lives in the short time she was here. She gave me 27 amazing years of her life with me – I will never forget. ”
He added: “I would like to thank not only myself but everyone who was there who helped keep her memory alive.”