Sanford Luverne’s annual Hospice Dinner and Auction on April 23 resulted in net proceeds of $88,163 to benefit the hospice cottage.
Hospice Volunteer and Marketing Coordinator Helen Saum said the amount is a new milestone for the annual event.
“Thank you, thank you to the many businesses, individuals, volunteers and families who supported the hospice fundraiser online and/or in person this year.
“We are truly blessed by the level of continued support for hospice and The Cottage.”
An online silent auction held over three days attracted 365 bidders vying for 232 items.
Bluestem catered the sold-out dinner served by students and Luverne Education Association representatives. It attracted 341 people and 32 sponsor tables.
Keith Elbers auctioned 26 donated packages along with five keys for a chance to win a walleye fishing trip to Platte, South Dakota. The winning key was purchased by Tom Arends.
The purchase of a charity dinner ticket gave each guest one chance to win a trip to Savannah, Georgia, donated by Sue VerSteeg at Great Planes Travel.
Jen Rolfs won the trip, and Jodi Reverts won the Blue Mound Quilt raffle.
The 2022 hospice honorees were recognized at the event, each receiving a piece of wall art handcrafted by Marlene Greve, Adrian
Lois Petersen, Cottage LPN, from Hardwick, was named this year’s Hospice Team Member.
“Lois has been a member of the hospice team for the past nine years,” said Dr. Austin Spronk, Sanford Hospice Medical Director who presented awards at the banquet.
“She exemplifies the hospice caregiver role in the care that she has given each and every day at the hospice cottage.”
He said an example of her “going the extra mile” was when she made sure that one of the cottage patients was able to sit on a couch beside her husband (who was wheel chair bound).
She used the stand aid lift and assisted the spouse (who was not a Sanford patient) to sit on the couch with his wife one last time.
“This employee always makes sure that the patients are well taken care of – as this has always been her first and foremost priority,” Spronk said. “She ensures that the patients get what they really want – even if it doesn’t work that well in her daily schedule.”
He said others describe her as “very caring, a hard worker, friendly, very thoughtful about each patient’s and family’s feelings. She also provides very good post-death bereavement support to families.”
Cindy Heitkamp, Adrian, was honored as the 2022 Hospice Volunteer.
She is a retired nurse who previously worked at the Adrian Clinic and Sanford in Sioux Falls. She volunteered over 350 hours for hospice since beginning in 2007, providing one-to-one supportive visits to numerous hospice patients living in the Adrian and Ellsworth area as well as helping at The Cottage in Luverne.
“Cindy is someone who provides a caring, compassionate presence, always has a smile and stories to share with others, and brightens the day for many patients and their family members,” Spronk said.
“Cindy has also helped organize the Hospice 'Tree of Lights” at Christmas time for the Adrian community. Cindy exemplifies the hospice mission and values.”
Diana Schwartz, Beaver Creek, was honored as the 2022 Friend of Hospice for the many ways she supports the hospice program, including a seven-year stint on the Hospice Community Advisory Board.
“She is someone who goes above and beyond helping with whatever is needed each year,” Spronk said. “Diana is a tremendous advocate for hospice and says most everyone she talks with has either had a loved one, a neighbor, or knows someone who has been touched by the hospice program.”
He praised Schwartz’s commitment to helping with the hospice fundraisers each year.
“She personally donates items and is willing to ask others to follow,” Spronk said. “Her positive attitude and million-dollar smile can be seen coming and she's someone hard to say ‘no’ to.”
For the April 23 fundraiser she sold over $5,000 worth of raffle tickets to help raise funds for hospice.
“Diana doesn’t do this for any personal gain,” Spronk said. “She believes in hospice and the care provided at The Cottage and is steadfast in helping so that future patients and families in our area who may need services in the future, can receive them.”