BATTLE MOUNTAIN - On Saturday, April 27, Lander County Hospice held a craft fair fundraiser at the First Baptist Church on Weaver Avenue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The group had 25 tables sold to vendors and they were filled with all kinds of crafts for purchase. Vendors were Tasha Sills, Cindy Heese, Gayle McDonald, Robin York, Becky Linville, Dorothy Mason, Michelle Cason, Betty Stewart, Elsa Spence, Heidi Collins, Becky Anderson, Lisa A., Lucie Holly, Suzanne Rowen, Annie Causaus, and Becky Pennington.
The rooms were canvassed with all kinds of handcrafted items, such as woodwork, knitted and crocheted items, jewelry, food, and more. Guests could even purchase freshly spun yarn from the Ruby Mountain Fibre Folk, of which local resident Becky Pennington is a member and it's always so impressive to see this old tradition carried on.
Robin York had her tables overflowing with homemade candies and great gift baskets, Betty Stewart had toys for the kids. Annie Causaus had her "old" wood creations; all the vendors had some of the greatest gift items and some fine decorator items for the home.
The kitchen had concessions for sale, Dorito tacos, pop, water, pizza, candy bars, breakfast snacks and coffee.
Officers of Lander County Hospice are: Crystal Bard, hospice director; Trish Hanson, treasurer; Jill Chambliss, secretary; Wannita Knox, chairman; and Jill Chambliss, vice chairman.
The craft fair was organized by Trish Hanson. Sponsors for this important fundraiser were Itturiaga's Battle Mountain Auto Supply, Midway Market, Battle Mountain Smoke Shop, Discount Liquor, Owl Club, Colt Restaurant, El Eguila Real Restaurant, and the Desert Dollar Store.
There will be much more fundraising at different events and there will be a rummage sale at the Battle Mountain Civic Center on July 27.
Quilt squares are available for a memory quilt to memorialize those that have passed including "grandma" Bev (Huntington), former director of the hospice.
As you entered the door of the event, the Lander County Hospice booth had information available telling the progress of the hospice and how they still need donations to keep moving forward like they have been.
Lander County Hospice has a lot to offer to the Battle Mountain Community and the services are priceless. Volunteers are trained to give supportive care to people in their final phase of a terminal illness and focus on comfort and quality of life rather than cure.
They provide spiritual care, light housekeeping, feeding and preparing meals, transportation, bathing, bed changing, comfort massages and more.
Lander County Hospice permits the dying to maintain control of their own lives and it allows them to be in a comfortable and familiar setting. They also provide emotional support and give breaks to family members that need to leave their loved ones' side for a couple of hours or so.
The next project for the Lander County Hospice is the roof on their building, the old "Kid's Closet" at 326 W. Front St.
Refurbishing a building can be quite expensive, so the fundraising and donation collecting will continue. Everything is much appreciated by the group, which is working hard to get the building ready to be opened. As soon as the non-profit status is official the work will begin.
As in any other organization that functions with volunteers, there are never enough. "Volunteerism" is huge in Battle Mountain. This group is of the utmost importance to support.
Just like Lander County Domestic Violence and Battle Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, they help people in the community. Volunteers, available day or night, take time from home or work (sometimes) if needed. Businesses or individuals wishing to donate to the Lander County Hospice can call the hospice Director Crystal Bard at (775)304-6311.
Trish Hanson and volunteers did a great job organizing the fair. The group is very appreciative to those that sponsored the event, the vendors, the guests, and Lander County for allocating $20,000 out of the FY 2013-14 budget.
Former director "grandma" Bev would have been proud of the progress and the looks of the future for Lander County Hospice.[[In-content Ad]]
