Hospice Auxiliary presents $75,000 check From “Share the Love” proceeds for Serenity House
The Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary presents a check for $75,000 to Mahaska Health CEO Kevin DeRonde, proceeds from the Third Annual “Share the Love – An Evening for Hospice” fundraiser to benefit the Hospice Serenity House. Shown, from left are: DeRonde, Hospice Auxiliary Member Janet Farner, Share the Love Co-Chair and Hospice Auxiliary President Amber Coffey, Diane Green, Shari Blattler, Serenity House Aide Kim Davis, Hospice Auxiliary Member Carol Knoot, Serenity House Nurse Sheryl VerSteegh, and Hospice Auxiliary Member and Share the Love Co-Chair Amanda Doud.
MAHASKA COUNTY – Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary recently presented a check for $75,000 to Mahaska Health CEO Kevin DeRonde. The check represented proceeds from the third annual “Share the Love – An Evening for Hospice” fundraiser held Feb. 8 to benefit the Hospice Serenity House.
The evening’s program included several stories of families served by staff at the Serenity House, but one story in particular tugged at the heartstrings of the more than guests 300 in attendance. Tami Goemaat and her husband, Jon, shared how the Serenity House staff became family when their 10-year-old son, Thomas Jon, lovingly referred to as “TJ”, received hospice care there during the last six weeks of his life.
“In our darkest time, it was more than a beautiful, amazing house. It became a home away from home for our family,” Tami told the audience. “We would build strong relationships with volunteers, aides, nurses and doctors. All of these people lovingly cared for our son, yet at the same time they cared for Jon, myself and our three young boys. I have countless memories of pranks we would play on the nurses and aides, meals brought into the house so we could eat together as a family, the many visitors and long chats, laughter and tears shared with doctors and nurses.
“I remember the staff getting our room ready for a big slumber party and then helping us prepare the last Easter we would sit all together as a family,” Tami continued. “It’s been almost eight years since we left the Serenity House, yet every time we walk through those doors, it feels like we are home again. This house and all the people in it will forever hold a place in our hearts.
“So I guess you could say this house is more than just a beautiful facility for those preparing to leave this world. It’s a place where everyone is cared for, loved and treated like family – its home.”
According to Share the Love Co-Chair Amanda Doud, the generosity of the community and people throughout the region is what made this event a success. A total of 83 sponsors at various levels as well as in-kind and advertising sponsors helped keep expenses down. “We also had 133 businesses and individuals who donated items to the silent auction and raffles, which helped raise more than $18,000,” Doud said.
A pair of diamond earrings valued at $1,100 was donated by Gardner-Collier Jewelry for a raffle, raising $3,325. Doud shared that there is now a second chance to win the earrings. “The winner of the raffle was drawn at the event, and he chose to donate his prize back to the cause as he wanted more money to benefit the Serenity House,” she explained. “So now we will sell the diamond earrings to the highest bidder.”
Bids may be placed by phone or text to Doud at 641-660-3985 through March 9. “Please be sure to include your name and the amount of money you are willing to pay for the earrings,” Doud stressed. “In case of a tie, names will be put in a random drawing to determine the winner.”
Share the Love Co-Chair Amber Coffey said a special thanks must go out to the Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary Board Members who helped plan the event: Ariann Blake, Shari Blattler, Cindy DeGoey, Diane Green, Janet Farner, Ellen Greene, Carol Knoot, Kathy Pleima, Becky Shafer, Connie Sheesley, Cathy Stahl, Virginia Walker and Chris Williams.
“Once again, the committee did an outstanding job reaching out to businesses and individuals for support,” Coffey explained. “The funds raised for the Serenity House are designated to benefit the Hospice Charity Care program, a vital funding source for many of our patients and their families. It is through the support of philanthropic community businesses and individuals that we are able to continue making a positive impact.”
Mahaska Health CEO Kevin DeRonde said that support from the community for the Hospice Serenity House, as well as other hospital programs and services, remains vital to Mahaska Health’s mission. “The Mahaska Health Board of Trustees and leadership, as well as the Serenity House staff, remain committed to providing the best experience possible for our loved ones needing the special end-of-life care that the Serenity House provides,” DeRonde stressed. “We are grateful for the dedication we receive from the Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary, as well as the community through memorial tributes, bequests, gifts of real estate, cash donations and through support of fundraisers.”
Mahaska Health Chief Nursing Officer Andrea Hagist said the Serenity House provides such an invaluable service to the community. “I’m so proud of the care our staff and volunteers provide to our hospice patients and their loved ones,” Hagist shared. “The goal of hospice is to improve quality of life in the patient’s last months, focusing on comfort care, control of pain and symptom management. Our staff goes above and beyond, and based on the incredible support we continue to receive from the community, they recognize how special that is.”
For more information on hospice services provided through Mahaska Hospice, visit mahaskahealth.org or call 641.672.3263.
