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Annual event raises $30,000 for HealthCare and Hospice
The reds, oranges and golds of autumn gardens transformed the Republican River Valley Event Center Sunday night as the 11th Annual An Evening for Hospice drew a record crowd, raising $30,000 for the work of Community HealthCare and Hospice.
The theme, "Garden of Hope and Healing," inspired several of the auction packages, including a garden package and an original watercolor "Trumpets in the Garden" by Anne Kennedy of McCook.
Dr. Wade Fornander graced the evening with his performance of James Taylor's "Shower the People" and Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" and a video of testimonials, produced by Divine Productions, about the work of hospice showed the commitment and caring that goes into every aspect of hospice care.
According to those featured on the video, it's not just about the person facing the end of life. It's also about the conversations they need to have, the concerns they have about those they will leave behind and the freedom to express themselves and to live, until the very last moment of their life.
According to one hospice provider, "Hospice is a gift to the workers as well. These people open their homes and their hearts to us. It can be very sad, but it can also be such a blessing to us in hospice."
Hospital CEO Jim Ulrich and Community Hospital Health Foundation director Terri Shipshock served as honorary host and hostess and ap images, with Adam Power and Matt Clause again, offered free 5X7 portraits to memorialize the evening.
The spirited bidding was choreographed by Dennis Youngs, auctioneer, and Cal Siegfried, emcee. Ringmen Jerry Rippen, Troy Bruntz and Ron Friehe kept track of the generous bidders. Additional funds were raised when Siegfried discovered that Ken and Marlene Foster were celebrating their 53rd wedding anniversary. He convinced Dr. Fornander to join him in duet serenading the couple, raising additional funds from the good-natured crowd.
Promise Her Everything package included a full length mink coat and women in the crowd were encouraged to try it on. "One size really does fit all when it comes to furs," Seigfried quipped. The package was the evening's top money maker.
The McCook Bison football team put in an appearance as did the girls softball team and state tennis champ Conner Larson. The teams raised a combined total of more than $1,600 by auctioning autographed balls, a softball glove and tennis racket.
Memorial bouquets adorned each table, where patrons were served a prime rib dinner catered by Willow Creek Meats and chances on a whole hog also were sold.
Resplendent in full length evening gowns, McCook High School students, paraded items from each package as bidding took place.
Packages, sponsors and successful bidders included:
Pride of the Bison -- 2009 Bison Football sponsored by McCook Lettering and 5G Trophy and Awards, purchased by Richard and Jane Stull. 2009 Softball and Glove sponsored by McCook Lettering and 5G Trophy and Awards purchased by Wagner Chevy. Connor Larson signed tennis ball sponsored by McCook Lettering, purchased by Steve and Diane Marr.
Up, Up and Away -- Sponsored by John Kugler and Knowlen & Yates purchased by Diane Kugler.
On the Green -- Sponsored by Heritage Hills Golf Course, Cross Creek Golf Links, Wild Horse Golf Club, Rita's Framing, and Tim Olson-The Olson Group purchased by Terry and Chris Peterson.
Mary, Mary Quite Contrary -- Sponsored by McCook Clinic, Common Scents, Sears-Lori and Harold Pearson, D&S Hardware, and Parker Hannifin purchased by Jerry and Cheri Beckenhauer.
Daniel Brockway Memorial Dinner -- Sponsored by Candi Brennan-Farm Bureau Agent, Gladys Brockway-Little Brocks Catering, and Carri Hall-Carri's Creative Cakes purchased by Jerry Gohl.
Score!! -- Sponsored by Dan Lindstrom-Morgan Stanley and Hometown Family Radio purchased by Dave and Jan Smith.
Trumpets in the Garden -- Original watercolor by Anne Kennedy purchased by Jim and Kristi Clapp.
Stock Up -- Sponsored by Lord's Hardware Furniture and Appliance, Schmick's Market and Willow Creek Meats purchased by Duane and Diana Tappe.
Mile High in the New Year -- Sponsored by Mousel & Garner Law Offices, Hampton Inn and Kugler Sinclair purchased by Richard and Jane Stull.
Carriage Ride -- Sponsored by Cliff and Brad Randel, Modern Cleaners, Coppermill Restaurant, Accents, Etc. purchased by Lyle Brown.
A Christmas Carol -- Sponsored by High Plains Radio purchased by Terry and Chris Peterson.
Gourmet Dinner -- Sponsored by Don and Alice Harpst with Brad and Sharleen Riemenschneider, The Spirit Shop and Country Floral & Gift purchased by Norm and Sharon Timmerman.
Sitting Pretty -- Sponsored by Olson's Photography purchased by Dennis and Kem McConville.
Rachel Weeping for Her Children -- Statue sponsored by Sondra Jonson purchased by Greg and Connie Hill.
Promise Her Everything -- Sponsored by PEO Chapters--FA, GY & X and Longnecker Jewelry purchased by Jim and Jennifer Allen.
Husker Game Day -- Sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank purchased by Trevor and Megan Taylor.
Get Up and Go -- Sponsored by Great Lakes Airlines, Wal-Mart Super Center and Deveny Motors purchased by Josh and Jill Hill.
Goodnight Sweetheart -- Sponsored by Jerry Gohl, Hi Times Liquor Mart, Lakeshore Marina and Kugler Sinclair purchased by John and Betty Nothnagel.
Off to the Races -- Sponsored by Don Hagan & Sons, Community Hospital and Wagner-Ford-Mecury-Toyota purchased by Dr. Tim and Sharon Burrows.
Star Struck -- Sponsored by Wayne Rouse purchased by Bruce and Terri Shipshock.
What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas -- Sponsored by Hometown Family Radio purchased by Roger and Susan Moreau.
Wrapped Up in Warmth -- Sponsored by The Piecemakers Quilt Guild and Samway Floor Covering & Furniture purchased by Bob and Connie Olsen.
Charitable Chance -- Whole Hog sponsored by Greg and Diane Wolfe, Processing by Willow Creek Meats and BBQ Tools sponsored by Sears-Harold and Lori Pearson. Won by Dr. Tim and Sharon Burrows.
Silent Auction
Hometown Entertainment -- Sponsored by Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Café, Southwest Nebraska Community Theater Association, John Juenemann and the McCook Concert Association purchased by Senator Mark and Kathy Christenesen.
That's Totally You -- Sponsored by Totally You-Jennifer Kool and Missy Nelson purchased by Lyle and Mary Moskal.
Wii Are Fit -- Sponsored by Wellness Partners purchased by Jerry and Cheri Beckenhauer.
Coffee Lovers -- Sponsored by Quality Urgent Care-Jim and Jennifer Allen purchased by Pat Hagan.
Fall Gathering -- Sponsored by Eakes Office Plus and Borsheim's of Omaha purchased by Dr. Wade and Dr. Kristin Fornander.
Husker Party -- Sponsored by VK Electronics purchased by Roger and Susan Moreau.
Night on the Town -- Sponsored by Landmark Inn purchased by Pat Marvin.
Make a Connection -- Sponsored by Body Connection purchased by Josh and Jill Hill.
Air Mail -- Sponsored by Wayne Rouse purchased by Bob and Connie Olsen.
Kitchen Comforts -- Sponsored by Karen Kliment purchased by Loren Brown.
Lookin' Good -- Sponsored by Kim Van Pelt-Mary Kay Consultant purchased by Pat Hagan.
Family Fun -- Sponsored by Community HealthCare & Hospice and Wanda McDonald purchased by Jim Ulrich.
Pretty in Pink -- Sponsored by Mark and Linda Graff purchased by Brad and Laura Walter.
Shape Up -- Sponsored by McCook YMCA purchased by Dr. Kevin and Shawna Michaelis.
Offer Thanksgiving -- Sponsored by McCook Cordials purchased by Dave and Jan Smith.
A Day at the Spa -- Sponsored by Dream Day Spa-Alanna O'Byrne purchased by Dr. John and Cindy West.
Twas the Night Before -- Sponsored by Community Hospital Medical Specialist Center purchased by Loren Brown.
Feel Like a Queen -- Sponsored by Hamilton Hair Creations & Sun Tanners purchased by Brian and Deb Rokusek.
Pamper Me -- Sponsored by Katie Lawson-Arbonne purchased by Mark and Jennifer Kool.
Other Sponsors include: McCook Daily Gazette, Frontier Home Medical, First Central Bank-McCook, AmFirst Bank, McCook National Bank, Volz Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning-Sid and Cathy Stewart, Great Plains Communications, HDR Architecture, Lemoine and Geri Anderson, Pinpoint Communications, Terry and Mary Ellinger and JE Dunn Construction