2010 Hospice Ball with Auction List - Event Happening This Saturday at the Starlite in Fort Dodge

Posting by Ryan Paschke, February 3rd, 2010
The 18th Annual Hospice Ball is happening this Saturday night, February 6th at the Starlite Village in Fort Dodge. Nadine Schlienz, RN, CHPN of the Paula J Baber Hospice Home has enjoyed being a part of the event every single year since its inception in 1992. On Monday she had a brief moment in between her duties as Clinical Manager to share some history as well as some information about this year's ball.

Nadine says she sure hopes for a better night than the first ball when Fort Dodge was hit by a huge blizzard which caused only around 10 people to attend. Fortunately the organizers were resilient and after 18 years the ball continues to grow every time. As of last Friday, there were already over 285 RSVP's with more than 300 total expected.

Just like the very first ball, this year's event is being held at the Starlite Village and begins with a social hour at 6PM. A dinner will follow at 7PM with a special program thereafter that honors all of the patients that have utilized hospice care over the past year. A video production by Memories in Motion will be played that features photos submitted by over 70 families. Nadine says it's always a very touching part of our ceremony that "brings a face to hospice care, which gives it a lot of meaning."

This year will be the first presentation of the the Debbie Hofbauer Compassionate Caregiver Award. One of the Paula J Baber Hospice Home staff members was chosen as the recipient from nominations sent in by family member of those who had utilized hospice care over the past year. The children of Debbie Hofbauer, the home's first patient will present the award.

After the presentation of the award, another family member of a patient will speak briefly about their experience with hospice care. Additionally there will be a couple of check presentations from individuals in the community that have donated larger sums of money to the hospice program.

DJ entertainment for the dance this year will be provided by Dean Vinchattle of In Your Ear Mobile Sound. According to Nadine, he has DJed the event for several years and "does a fantastic job of getting the crowd involved." She added that with Dean there is sure to be a large group of people dancing until the very last dance of the
evening.

Nadine emphasized that the Hospice Ball is not a dressy-formal affair. It has become a more casual event over the past few years with men wearing nice dress pants and sweaters as well as suits instead of tuxedos. Women wear anything from long gowns to black dressy pants and a nice top. Nadine doesn't want anyone not to attend because they feel they have to go out and buy a new outfit. It's just not necessary.

The Hospice Ball has become a huge fundraiser for the Trinity Health Foundation and last year brought in over $18,000. Nadine noted that "the money that we raise helps us to continue to provide excellent hospice care to our patients in our community and to give the best end of life care possible." This year hopes are to raise over $20,000.

Tickets for the ball are $30 a person or $60 a couple and the foundation will be taking reservations up until the day of the ball. Anyone who would like a ticket can call the Trinity Health Foundation office at 574-6509. They will take your name and have a place card reserved for purchase at the door.

There will be a silent auction with over 50 items available. Other fundraising includes two different raffles. The first raffle will be for three different quilts and the second is for a $500 gift card to Hy-Vee of Fort Dodge.

All proceeds from the event will go to Trinity Hospice and Paula J. Baber Hospice Home. According to Trinity Regional Medical Center's Facebook Page the money is used for "quality of life issues that are not covered by Medicare, such as the bereavement and volunteer programs."

Valet parking will be available to make it possible for people to drive right up to the front door of the Starlite Village. Let's have a "ball."