Literature Review

Featured Hospice Fund Raisers - compiled by Hospice & Palliative Care TodayCompiled from numerous hospice press releases; by Joy Berger, editor; 9/26/24Editor's note: As hospice and palliative care organizations wrap up summer fundraisers and move into autumn events, we have been compiling sample fundraisers, looking for themes, community engagement, success, and creativity. Typically, we post outcomes--after an event--versus promoting it prior to the event. The purpose is this compilation is to explore the scope of current hospice fundraising in the US. Of note, hospice fundraising throughout the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries tend to bring in larger amounts, due more extreme need. Enjoy! We welcome your thoughts on this post.   

VFW Post 4019 donates $10K to Hospice [of the Panhandle] The Morgan Messenger, Berkeley Springs, WV; by Kate Shunney, editor; 9/24/24 The Risinger-Stotler VFW Post 4019 in Berkeley Springs presented a $10,000 check to Hospice of the Panhandle recently – proceeds from a fundraiser the post held to benefit Hospice patients and families. Donors and supporters at the VFW have donated close to $55,000 to Hospice over several years of fundraisers. “We are overwhelmed by their generosity – and they are so grateful for the care that we offer veterans,” said Maria Lorensen, Development Director for Hospice of the Panhandle.

A night with the stars: Soldout event raises nearly $100,000 for Richmond County Hospice Richmond County Daily Journal, Richmond County, NC; by Jimmy Potts; 9/24/24 Last Saturday’s Dancing with the Stars fundraiser generated nearly $100,000 for Richmond County Hospice during the gala event hosted by the Cole Auditorium. The $95,000 raised last Saturday eclipsed the $83,000 raised last year, which Richmond County Commission President Jeff Smart attributed to growing support for the event year after year. “I couldn’t be more proud of that. Did y’all hear sold out? In Richmond County, that doesn’t happen folks. I had people calling me today wanting tickets, and I couldn’t sneak them through the back door,” Smart said. “… Last year, we topped around $83,000. The good news is we had more sponsors. We sold out, which is the most ticket sales you can have. We had a record number of sales from our dancers.” Along with performances from the dancers, the event also featured a slew of restaurants putting their confections to the test as part of a contest. The event also featured performances multiple area dances troupes as well as more than 18 contestants performing in the competition.

NHPCO hosts final Annual Leadership Conference, welcomes evolution to National Alliance for Care at Home NHPOC / National Alliance for Care at Home; by Elyssa Katz; 9/20/24 The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) hosted its annual leadership conference (ALC2024) in Denver, Colorado September 14–18, 2024. This conference is the final conference that legacy NHPCO is hosting as it joins with the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) to become the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance). NAHC will host its final conference on October 20-24, 2024, in Tampa, Florida.  Over 1,000 attendees and exhibitors joined for the in-person program which included action-packed days of keynotes, concurrent education sessions, networking opportunities, award presentations, and celebrations. ... Thanks to the generous support of attendees [at Tuesday evening's Gala], the National Hospice Foundation, NHPCO’s fundraising affiliate, raised over $200,000 throughout the evening. All funds will support the Lighthouse of Hope fund to help fulfill patients’ last wishes. ... As NHPCO celebrates the lasting impact its member have had since 1978 and looks ahead to the Alliance, ALC2024 also served as an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and honor the many leaders from across the nation who played critical roles in shaping the hospice and palliative care community. 

A record-breaking Hospice Cup Regatta Sail Editors; 9/18/24 Annapolis sailors turned out in force last weekend for the annual Hospice Cup regatta, getting in some great racing while helping raise record funding for the area’s nonprofit hospice organizations. Nearly 90 boats competed, together with sponsors raising more than $200,000, says Hospice Cup Board President Molly Wilmer. It was the most successful event in more than 25 years, with the amount donated and the number of donors at a record high.  ... This year’s event stood out for other reasons. As a registered clean regatta, Hospice Cup also boasted status as zero-waste for the first time in its history. Sailing instructions encouraged use of reusable drink containers and collection of any trash found in local waters. ... For more than 40 years, Hospice Cup has supported local care programs for under and uninsured patients with advanced and terminal illness. Partnering with Montgomery & Prince George’s Hospice, Talbot Hospice, Capital Caring, and the Luminis Health Gilchrist Lifecare Institute at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Hospice Cup has raised more than $30 million since the start of the race in 1982.

The Journey Home receives inaugural $20K grant from BCF Bartlesville, OK Local News; by Nathan Thompson; 9/17/24 The Journey Home, a nonprofit and free hospice facility, has received the Tell Your Story Grant of $20,000 from the Bartlesville Community Foundation. The award was announced Tuesday during the BCF's inaugural "Celebrate Together" luncheon at the Bartlesville Community Center. The competitive grant is structured to provide $10,000 of endowment support, $5,000 in operational funding and $5,000 worth of video and social media production. The Journey Home opened its doors in January 2014 as a specialized end-of-life care facility — only the second one of its kind in Oklahoma. It is a six-bedroom home staffed with professional caregivers and trained volunteers who provide continuous personal care for terminally-ill guests.

Over 140 cars take part in 19th Lube-a-Thon for Hospice Portage.Life; by Center for Hospice Care; 9/10/24 Friday July 26 marked the 19th time Tom's Car Care Canter hosted its Lube-a-Thon for Hospice. From 7am until almost 6pm cars were lined up out to the street to get their oil changed for just a $45 donation to Center for Hospice Care. Even with the line, wait times weren't that long. The Tom's team was moving cars out on an average of five to six minutes each! Along with the oil change, patrons received a ticket for a free car wash (good until the end of October), a coupon for a free muffin or cookie and a cup of coffee or fountain drink as well as an event t-shirt. ... Thanks to all of the participants, sponsors and other donations, the 19th Lube-a-Thon for Hospice raised over $10,000 to help Center for Hospice Care improve the quality of living for those in our nine-county service area.

Compassion for terminally ill boy blooms into 17th year of Trick or Treat in the Heat Alaska's News Source, Anchorage, AL; by Olivia Nordyke; 9/9/24 Parents of a terminally ill child said they never thought their son’s last Halloween celebration would transform into an annual event that spans multiple cities. In 2005, doctors told Joyce Durcanin-Robbins and Sean Robbins that their son Ian’s leukemia meant he wouldn’t likely live to see Oct. 31. The couple created an earlier Halloween celebration in their neighborhood to give their son one last trick or treating experience. This weekend marked the 17th time Trick or Treat in the Heat brought neighborhood kids from all over Anchorage out to celebrate and get candy in full costume. “We kind of realized after the fact is this is a lot more fun than late October.” said Sean, Joyce adding; “We missed a couple of years because of COVID, and for the first few years, it was just sort of a year-to-year kitchen table operation.” ... Kelsey Torres, an event organizer, said they’ve raised about $700,000 in the lifetime of Trick or Treat in the Heat. ... Torres said 100% of the money raised goes to Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, Hospice of Anchorage, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Editor's note: The location--Anchorage, Alaska--is core to this story. What location-specific or culturally-sensitive events do you already provide? What creative ideas might you implement? 

Aroostook House of Comfort hosts Remembrance Way Memorial Garden & Pathway dedication The County, Presque Isel, ME; 9/2/24 On Saturday, August 24 the Aroostook Hospice Foundation hosted its annual Remembrance Way Memorial Garden &  Pathway Dedication Ceremony at the Aroostook House of Comfort Gazebo, a touching event that brought together families and friends to honor the memory of their loved ones. This year’s ceremony featured the dedication of 38 new stones, a bench, wind sculptures and one mini garden, each carefully personalized to celebrate the lives they represent. ... The Remembrance Way is more than just a garden — it’s a meaningful tribute and a vital part of the Aroostook House of Comfort’s mission.

Sharp HospiceCare’s 21st annual benefit regatta raises nearly $700,000 to support new hospice home in Poway The Coronado Times, Coronado, CO; by Dani Schwartz; 9/3/24 Sharp HospiceCare’s 21st Annual Benefit Dinner and Regatta brought the San Diego community together in a remarkable display of generosity last weekend, raising a record-breaking total of nearly $700,000 to support the construction of a new hospice home in Poway. ... The funds raised will significantly contribute to the completion of Moore MountainView Hospice Home in Poway, a facility that will provide a comforting, home-like environment for patients with life-limiting illnesses. This new residence is scheduled to open in Spring 2025 and will join Sharp’s existing hospice homes in La Mesa, Del Cerro and Bonita.

Indoor hospice concert attracts nearly 2,000 people at fieldhouse The Republic, Columbus, IN; by Brian Blair; 9/1/24 The Indianapolis-based Woomblies Rock Orchestra led off with The Who’s classic “Love Reign O’er Me” before an audience estimated at nearly 2,000 people at Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark at 2224 25th St. in Columbus. ... Stephanie Cain, Our Hospice of South Central Indiana president, looked at the latest crowd halfway through the night of three pop-rock acts and smiled. “I feel like my heart is totally overflowing,” she said. Others felt the same vibe. Attendee Sheila Coy knows hospice’s work, currently with nearly 300 patients with life-limiting illnesses, firsthand.

"Never turn anybody away from care:" Hospice Care offers support in Hazard WYMT Mountain News, Hazard, KY; by Amelia Lee; 8/29/24 Aug. 8 was the annual radio day in Perry County for Bluegrass Care Navigators Hospice Care. On that day, $25,000 was raised and more donations continue to come in. Hospice care is a service for any person who has an illness or a decline in health. Nurse Manager at Bluegrass Hospice Care Center in Hazard, Donna Gibson, has been working in hospice care for 17 years. ... Bluegrass Care Navigators works to provide hospice care for all who need it, at no cost, said Associate Director of Philanthropy, Dawson Barnett. “Support on radio day throughout the year allows us to continue serving patients and their families regardless of their insurance status and ability to pay,” said Barnett. “We never have to turn anybody away from our care.”

2nd Annual Walk for Hospice raises over $60,000 for the Aroostook House of Comfort The County, Presque Isle, ME; 9/19/24 The Aroostook Hospice Foundation is proud to announce that the 2nd Annual Walk for Hospice, presented by Event Sponsor McCrum Family Holdings, LLC, raised over $60,000 in support of the Aroostook House of Comfort. Held in memory of Dr. David Jones, the event was a powerful and moving tribute to those impacted by hospice care. The Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to  everyone who contributed to the event’s success. The Walk for Hospice not only aims to raise essential funds but also to increase community awareness and celebrate the lives of those  impacted by hospice care. This year’s event saw tremendous support with 15 Trail Sponsors, 12 Community Sponsors, 22 Friend Sponsors and 10 In-Kind Sponsors, and boasted a remarkable turnout of 32 teams and 335 participants. The day offered families, friends, and colleagues a beautiful opportunity to walk, reflect, and honor their loved ones in a memorable and meaningful way.