WORTHINGTON -- Vicki Place had reason to be pleased with Monday night's third annual Sunset Hospice Cottage Charity Banquet.
After all, Place, who coordinates the event, said planning starts between six and eight months ahead of time.
"I'm chairperson for the different committees -- one person works with decorations, one person with selling tickets, one with the entertainment ..." said Place, who noted this year's banquet featured a comedian, Bob Stromberg of Minneapolis, for the first time.
Monday's fundraiser, which took place at American Reformed Church, brought in 420 people, according to Hospice Cottage Inc. board member Gary Prins.
"We try to rotate (the banquet) because the cottage was built by people in the Worthington, Windom and Jackson communities," Place said, noting the event took place in Lakefield its first year and Jackson last year. "We want to include all the people who made this cottage possible."
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With a theme of "An Evening to Remember," Monday's fundraiser included a social hour and dinner, along with Stromberg's entertainment. Additionally, a silent auction took place, and three grand prizes were awarded.
"This is for our endowment, to help people to stay there who can't afford it," said Donald Groninga, treasurer for Hospice Cottage Inc. "It also helps our building fund -- for landscaping and other exterior work we want to do this year."
Located in Worthington, Sunset Hospice Cottage -- which opened in September 2004 -- gives hospice patients a homelike atmosphere and 24-hour-care with trained medical assistants or licensed practical nurses. Patients also have 24-hour availability to a registered nurse.
Hospice is for any terminal illness and is open for any age including infants to the elderly. Referrals to hospice may come from families, friends, a physician, hospital staff, clinic staff or any facility staff.
Hosting the Hospice Cottage Inc. fundraiser at American Reformed Church was an easy decision because of its sizeable seating capacity.
"I think we had an inside track because the pastor (Irwin Van Leeuwen) is our hospice chaplain," Place said. "I think I've got to give him credit for that."
Place hoped the evening would net between $18,000 and $20,000 for Hospice Cottage Inc., an amount consistent with earlier years.
