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The heart never forgets

27th annual Trinity Hospice Ball is Feb. 2

The heart never forgets.

“My top five moments when my Dad was in hospice care . . .

5. Dad offering candy from a boxed sampler to each of the many hospice workers who came to his home.

4. My husband, Craig, cluing Dad in on what was happening for the day; hospice appointments, news around town, stunning sports upsets.

3. The smile on Dad’s face when he returned from a drive around town — his last one, with my daughter, nurse Megan.

2. My son, Sean, stating his appreciation for all the baseball games Dad attended, all the pop and snow cones … all the fun.

1. My niece, Sara, putting her baby daughter, Cleo on my Dad’s chest. They looked at each other, eyes locked — the youngest and the oldest members of our family.”

— Peggy Murphy

Co-chair, 2019 Hospice Ball

As co-chairs for the 27th Annual Trinity Hospice Ball, we invite you to attend an important, fun and memorable evening on Feb. 2. This event recognizes support and love; compassion and excellence; and most importantly, people; the ones we have lost and the ones who hold us up.

Our evening will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner served at 7 p.m. A short program with the announcement of the 2019 Debbie Hofbauer Compassionate Care Giver Award will follow dinner with dancing beginning at 8:30 p.m. A dessert bar hosted by our best local bakers will top off the evening. A silent auction will take place throughout the evening and end at 10 p.m.

As co-chairs we take this charge very serious. We know the importance of Hospice and the difference it makes in our community. Our community is a better place to live because UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge has placed a high value on end-of-life care. The entire Hospice team, including volunteers, is fortunate to have the support of our entire Fort Dodge region. We know Hospice has touched each and every one of you in some way.

The proceeds from this event are used for patient supplies and equipment, such as communication devices, music, library resources, activities and tools to assist dementia patients and end-of-life care for individuals without a pay source. The Hospice staff makes sure that patients celebrate special occasions such as a baptism, wedding or birthday. Funds are also used for family and staff education materials, bereavement programs and Hospice volunteer training. Our community is very generous, and we are grateful for the additional services this event provides for hospice patients and families.

UnityPoint Hospice serves individuals facing a life-limiting illness, and provides expert medical care, pain and symptom management as well as emotional and spiritual support tailored to meet the patient and family’s needs and wishes. UnityPoint Hospice has exceptional patient outcomes, providing compassionate and quality hospice services.

We will utilize mobile bidding for our Silent Auction. This has proved to be a crowd pleaser. We encourage individuals to preregister, as this is the only way to place bids on our Silent Auction items and saves time at check in. People who have used this service in the past, found it to be an easy way to bid plus it adds a fun and competitive spirit to the bidding process.

If you don’t have a Smart Phone, “personal shoppers” are available to place bids for you. Mobile bidding also allows you to begin the bidding process the week before the event and if you do not plan to attend the Ball, you can still bid on auction items utilizing your cell phone, tablet or computer by logging on at home. Many people have found this a fun way to participate. To learn more or preregister visit www.unitypoint.org/Foundation (Fort Dodge). You may also call Trinity Foundation at 515-574-6509 for assistance in registering.

We invite you to experience the 27th annual Trinity Hospice Ball on Feb. 2. Everyone comes to the Ball with a different connection, but we all share the same passion — to support UnityPoint Hospice. We are grateful for your support and belief in providing compassionate care with dignity for those who are facing a terminal illness.

Amy and Mike Johnson and Peggy and Craig Murphy are co-chairs for the 2019 Hospice Ball. Mike Johnson is a member of the Trinity Foundation Board of Directors. Peggy and Craig Murphy are Hospice volunteers.

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