Ministry Home Care - Hospice held its fourth annual Gift of Hospice event last month at Memories Ballroom in Plover. The annual celebration raises awareness of end-of-life care and money to fund hospice care for individuals who are under-insured or uninsured – people Ministry will not turn away. 

This year’s all-new event, The Gift of Hospice: A Quilt of Many Colors demonstrated how it takes many different pieces to create the individualized care hospice provides. Through heartfelt testimonials from local individuals who’ve benefited from this unique care and live performances by Grammy-nominee Karen Taylor-Good, more than 300 guests grew closer to the hospice mission and learned how this team of people can help those who are important to them.

The décor was masterful – with more than 50 handmade quilts loaned to the event by the Golden Needle Quilt Guild, the Star Point Quilt Guild and several individual quilters in the area, the ballroom was transformed into a warm and cozy room. During the social hour, guests wandered throughout the room, admiring the handiwork while local musician Melanie Wiltse played her harp.

In preparation for the event, the Portage County Boys & Girls Club made coasters to look like a piece of a quilt, each unique in color and design. The coasters, given to each guest as a favor, symbolized how every hospice patient is individual and special.

In the end, hundreds of people left the event as new or renewed ambassadors for hospice and more than $17,000.00 was pledged to support this important end-of-life care. Like a beautifully handcrafted quilt, the evening showed how hundreds of people, young and old, can come together to each contribute their unique piece to make sure hospice care is available and accessed by everyone who needs it.

For more information on hospice, visit ministryhomecare.org or call 800-346-5355.