Ministry Home Care – Hospice held their 6th annual Gift of Hospice events in Wisconsin Rapids and Marshfield, bringing in donations of more than $40,000.00 for local services provided by the non-profit organization. The annual celebration raises awareness of end-of-life care and donations to fund hospice care for individuals who are under-insured or uninsured – people Ministry will not turn away. This year’s events were held at the Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids on November 4, 2009, and at the Holiday Inn in Marshfield the following evening.
The all-new program for 2009 titled 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, over the two evenings, more than 400 guests grew closer to the hospice mission and learned how this team of people can help those who are important to them.
Décor carried the theme, with beautiful handmade quilts loaned by local quilt guilds and several individual quilters. Art students from Marshfield High School created 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 events as new or renewed ambassadors for hospice and more than $40,000.00 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 1-800-397-4216.