On Sunday, May 4, VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana (VNA) hosted its 23rd annual Stroll for Hospice event in downtown Valparaiso. The Stroll for Hospice is a time for families, friends, and loved ones to come together to honor relatives and friends who have passed on. Unfortunately, this year’s stroll had to be reorganized into a community party due to inclement weather. Refusing to allow their spirits to be dampened by the rain and chill, VNA staff, volunteers, and community members from throughout the region dressed in their favorite Star Wars costumes gathered under the Urschel Pavilion for a celebration that was out of this world.
The sponsors of this year’s Stroll for Hospice included HealthLinc, Urschel Giving, UFS Corporation, Strack & Van Til, and Martin Binder Jewelers. Family Express, 4-H Center Wildcats, and Pines Village Retirement Communities sponsored the food at the event. The attendees enjoyed pasta salad, broccoli salad, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies, soda and water.
Bob Franko, President and CEO of VNA Hospice NWI, considers the Stroll for Hospice Event to be a reflection of what VNA Hospice NWI stands for.
“This is a powerful event for people who have been through a hospice experience with a loved one,” Franko said. “It’s an opportunity for them to be around other people who have also been through that experience. This event is meaningful for them and it's at the core of who we are. End-of-life care is about taking care of the patient and their family. The Stroll for Hospice encapsulates everything about our mission of ‘making best days possible,’ our values, and who we are as an organization.”
Participants of all ages amused themselves with cornhole and the jumbo Connect Four sets that had been set up. A photo booth was also available for the attendees who wanted a keepsake photo. Young attendees had a blast playing on a blow-up obstacle course and getting face paint designs, courtesy of Balloontacular Entertainment. The young “Star Wars” fans also got to participate in a costume parade, showing off their costumes and waving their VNA Hospice NWI-branded lightsabers as the “Imperial March” played.
Maria Galka, Director of Development for VNA Hospice NWI, helps lead the planning and execution of the Stroll for Hospice event each year.
“This is a way for us to bring the entire community together to support VNA Hospice NWI and the care that we offer,” Galka said. “It’s also important because it gives the participants the opportunity to remember someone they love and miss. They may be here in memory of someone, but they’re also here to build new memories too. My hope is that everyone leaves feeling that they have properly honored the memory of their friend or family member and that they know that VNA Hospice NWI is here to help.”
Attendees participated in the 50/50 which had a grand prize of over $190. Several baskets featuring prizes contributed by businesses like Wendy’s, BNutty Peanut Butter, and the Albanese Candy Factory, were also raffled off. Of course, there were several prize baskets that were well-stocked with Star Wars merch and memorabilia.
The members of the Family and Friends With Heart team were this year’s Stroll for Hospice grand marshals. Bonnie Dooley, a Family and Friends With Heart team member, has been participating in the Stroll for Hospice event in honor of her fiancée for the past decade.
“VNA Hospice NWI does good work with the people they help support,” Dooley said. “This event is a good time and it brings all of the family together. It’s just a nice outing. The VNA Hospice NWI team does a fabulous job bringing it all together. I enjoy seeing all of the happy faces here and watching everybody get together to celebrate the memory of our loved ones.”
During one portion of the event, Franko asked any veterans and individuals honoring deceased veterans to come forward so they could receive an American Flag pin and a VNA Hospice NWI cooler bag. Several teams were then recognized for a variety of accomplishments, including accruing the most sponsors, raising the most money, and having the most members.
Linda Couch is a member of the Couch Potatoes, a team that has honored the memory of Vietnam War veteran Private First Class Lyle Couch at the Stroll for Hospice for the past 12 years.
“Having a loved one in hospice is a sad situation,” Linda Couch said. “Sometimes you think that you can’t get through it, but you can. A lot of people need support during that process. This event helps them see that it is possible to get through it.”
Lee Couch, another member of the Couch Potatoes, considers the Stroll for Hospice to be a great event for the community. “This is a great way for VNA Hospice NWI to raise money for a good cause,” Lee Couch said. “I hope everyone here today leaves feeling the real ‘Force,’ which is love.”
DJ Kerry Kapica of Entertainment Express kept the crowd dancing by playing irresistible party tunes like “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid, “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega, and “Watch Me” by Silento.
Please visit vnanwi.org for more information on VNA Hospice NWI’s services and upcoming events.
