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Nearly 400 people attended the 25th Annual Hospice Charity Banquet and Auction Saturday, April 13, in Grand Prairie Events.
According to volunteer coordinator Helen Saum, the event raised nearly $92,000, all of which stays in the community to support the Hospice program and The Cottage in the coming year.
“We were thrilled to have a sold out event and to see such amazing generosity and support again this year. … We are so deeply grateful,” Saum said.
“It’s evident that people want to ensure this type of compassionate, personalized and dignified care continues to be available right here in our community — for themselves and loved ones, now and in the future.”
The program included video interviews of four hospice family members (Rich Morgan, Tim and Connie Connell, Deb Klaassen and Sue Skattum) who shared their personal stories about the compassionate and personalized care their loved ones received at The Cottage.
The event also honored three individuals who received 2019 Hospice Awards. The honorees received framed watercolor paintings by local artist Mary Petersen.
The Hospice Team Member of the Year is Marie Clifford-Chapin, LPN at The Cottage, and Hospice Volunteer of the Year is Charleen Feekes, Adrian.
Curt Bloemendaal was named the 2019 “Friend of Hospice” for his work on the Hospice Advisory Board.
Other highlights of the event included the Blue Mound Quilters Quilt Raffle, which went to Curt Bloemendaal, the New York City trip give-away which Sherri Thompson won, and the Disney World trip donated by Great Planes Travel and Delta Vacations won by Mark Moeller.