Every day Is A Bonus

Hospice of Southern Illinois joined the We Honor Veterans program not knowing how we could better serve the veteran population. Yesterday was the perfect example of why we became a partner and how to show appreciation to Veterans who have served this country. In honor of National Hospice Month and Veteran’s Day, Hospice of Southern Illinois sponsored Honor Flight The Movie. Honor Flight The Movie, a heartwarming documentary about living WWII Veterans who were privileged to go to the WWII memorial at no cost due to efforts by the Honor Flight Network, is undefined by words.

Not only did we show the movie, but also so many organizations and companies came together to make this a day to remember with lots of pomp and circumstance. Veterans, admitted into the movie at no cost thanks to the Veteran Corps of America, were escorted on a red carpet by ROTC members and Hospice of Southern Illinois' volunteers. They were then provided free popcorn and soda due to generous donations. Finally, they were greeted as they entered the Wehrenberg O’Fallon 15 Cine theater. They attended a powerful ceremony filled with special guests, patriotic music, and celebrations of each branch of service (click here to watch a clip). After the ceremony, Honor Flight The Movie played, which to describe in words was emotional, triumphant, and epic. Our hearts melted for every Veteran and their family who stood in front of us that day and who we have known or lost throughout the years.

(Honoring the Branches of Service)

(Left: Our own Kim Oplet, Marine and Hospice of Southern Illinois Employee. Right: ROTC Color Guard)

(Last photo before the movie started.)

            Several said, “It was the best movie I have ever seen!” A Veteran shared, “I went on the Honor Flight. This movie was…(pause with a big smile) just like I remembered it.” Others only locked eyes and no words were needed. We feel this event was the perfect celebration and educational opportunity we could have offered as a commitment to the We Honor Veterans program.

            A special thank you to all the Veterans, donors, volunteers and attendees who made the day possible. It was a big day and for those Veterans who won’t or can’t attend the WWII memorial in Washington D.C., we hope we made this day as special to you as it was to give it. As Joe Delmer, WWII Veteran, put it, “Every day is a bonus.” Let this be a reminder of why we celebrate Veterans Day and all the sacrifices that were made because freedom is never free. 

          For more photos from the day click here. For information how to apply to get on an Honor Flight, become a guardian, or make a donation visit: http://www.honorflight.org/faq/. To support Hospice of Southern Illinois' efforts to provide end-of-life care to Veterans in your community, contact our development team at 1-800-233-1708. 

Happy Veterans Day from Hospice of Southern Illinois 

November is National Hospice Month

Hospice of Southern Illinois Helps Community Learn About Special Care Hospice Provides

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and hospices across the country are reaching out to raise awareness about important care issues for people coping with life-limiting illness. Throughout the month of November, organizations across the nation are hosting activities that focus on celebrating this unique system of support and the benefits provided by the loving care of hospice. Hospice of Southern Illinois is committed to bringing important information to the communities we serve, so we are encouraging everyone to participate in the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations’ social media campaign to raise awareness about what hospice is and what hospice is to them. To participate, employees, community leaders, and general public should take a photo of themselves holding a sheet of paper that says, “Hospice is… ________” and fill in the blank with a word that describes what hospice is to them. After taking the photo, post it on their personal Facebook Page and tag Hospice of Southern Illinois in the post or comment section so we can see it on the Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Facebook Page. Don’t forget to use the hash tag #hospicemonth to take part in being a hospice advocate for National Hospice and Palliative Care Month 2013!

“Every year, more than 1.65 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospice and palliative care providers in this country,” said J. Donald Schumacher, President and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “These highly-trained professionals don’t only provide quality medical care. They work to make sure patients and families find dignity, respect, and love during life’s most difficult journey.”

Hospice is more than traditional healthcare. Hospice and palliative care programs provide pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible. Hospice and palliative care combines the highest level of quality medical care with the emotional and spiritual support that families need most when facing the end of life.

“After working at Hospice of Southern Illinois for many years, I figured I knew what hospice was. It was not until I saw Hospice of Southern Illinois’ nurses, volunteers, and social workers in action with my own family that I realized what it really stood for. It brought forward a whole new understanding of end-of-life care. As my supervisor always says, ‘You may remember how smart or how pretty someone is, but you will always remember how kind someone is.’ When I saw the special attention and kindness my own co-workers provided my loved one, I fully understood hospice from that point forward.” said Christine Juehne, Print and Social Media Coordinator at Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Additional information about hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is available from Hospice of Southern Illinois, your community not-for-profit hospice, at www.hospice.org. NHPCO’s Caring Connections offers information and resources for professionals and consumers at www.caringinfo.org.