It was a night of laughter, tears, joy and sorrow as the Community Health Professionals hosted their annual fundraiser in Montpelier.
“Hospice – Beacon of Hope” drew around 200 people to the Veterans Building at the Williams County Fairgrounds on a damp evening Oct. 20. Inside the atmosphere was bright and cheery as the gala was adorned with black and red clubs, hearts, spades and diamond balloons and all sorts of glitter.
There was a dinner, a silent auction and a regular auction, which served as a fundraiser for CHP Hospice. CHP’s Hospice patient care fund helps to provide care for patients and families with limited or no health coverage and to offset unrecoverable costs. The organization has a lighthouse for its logo since it symbolizes each individual’s life and the hope Hospice brings.
The Patient Care Fund pays for thousands of dollars in uncovered patient care expenses locally. While Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans cover hospice patient care services, the hospice provider receives a set fee per day. That often doesn’t cover the costs of care so the provider has to absorb the cost.
The evening’s entertainment was provided by magician and comedian Jim Barron of WBCL in Ft. Wayne. He kept the audience laughing for 30 minutes with different twists on card trick, balloon animals and sleight of hand.
The keynote speakers took a few minutes to share their stories.
Hospice nurse Teri Yedica, LPN, talked about the joy of her job and the sadness that is mixed in.
John Trippy, the Hospice Family Ambassador, shared how hospice helped him help his mom fly to Las Vegas to see Celine Dion perform.
Hospice helped with getting the oxygen Trippy’s mom needed and the paperwork required for her to fly.
Through hospice, Trippy’s mom was able to die at home and be home for the visitation.
The highlight of the evening was the singing of Dr. Kevin Park, Hospice medical director. Park sang five songs which were well received.
When he sang Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight,” several couples got up and slow danced.
The evening concluded with a live auction emceed by Barron and led by auctioneer Shane Sumner.
The meal was prepared by Chef Pete Herold and some Culinary Arts Students at Four County Career Center.
James Pruitt may be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com