Dear Editor:
Many thanks for the ongoing dedication of the HopeWest Meeker volunteers, advisory board members and our three part-time staff members who have worked together so faithfully in our community this past year.
Since January 2014, we have been able to provide compassionate, physical and emotional care to 13 Meeker patients experiencing serious illness, and we have provided support to their families and caregivers.
We have carefully coordinated with Pioneers Hospital and Home Health to ensure patients and their families receive palliative care nurses and physicians, hospice-trained volunteers, bereavement support and spiritual care.
This coming year, we hope to expand our services to include a grief counseling program for children. Life-altering losses can leave children feeling lost and alone. They are also prone to high-risk behaviors.
Through this new program, we will have the opportunity to send kids to grief camps, initiate school support groups and help them learn positive coping skills through family and individual counseling.
The budget for HopeWest Meeker is raised solely through donations and philanthropy.
Our first fundraising event was in October last year, when we pulled off a Halloween dinner, dance and silent auction in less than weeks.
This year’s event, called “WICKED,” will be held this Saturday at the Fairfield Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. This year, we were happy to have a bit more time to put the event together and are looking forward to offering great decorations, fine food, music and dancing.
Many folks have donated wonderful items for the live and silent auctions.
Among the decorations and auction items, you will see hand-carved pumpkins by Ben Quinn (an MHS art teacher) and his students. This year, Ben included this “project” in his fall curriculum.
His students will be graded on their artful carvings and have also chosen to donate them to the auction in the spirit of community involvement.
My heartfelt thanks to all the donors and supporters of this year’s event. We think this will be a fun-filled evening and hope to see you there!
Toby Smith
Advisory Board Chair
HopeWest Meeker
Meeker
