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Evening for Hospice raises $28,100
The generosity of residents of Southwest Nebraska was again evident Sunday evening at the annual Evening for Hospice charity auction.
The annual event for the McCook Hospice, raised a total of $28,100.
Members of the McCook Bison football team provided a surprise auction item when they arrived with an autographed football, signed by team members.
Stuart Frazier, Ryan Farrell, Rocky Esteraich and Ben Klug, presented the ball to Sharlene Crowe, executive director of McCook Community Health Foundation. The ball raised a total of $3,150 for the event. The ball was purchased by Steve Marr.
The benevolence of those attending Evening for Hospice continued as the night progressed.
One package included a hunting dog named Lizzy, donated by Randy and Sherry McKillip. Randy told the group his wife had developed a special affection for the dog and was having a difficult time of her away. Local cattleman Norm Timmerman, who won the original bid on the dog, surprised the group when he told auctioneer Joe Frazier to "sell it again" -- with one condition.
Liz was to be returned to the McKillips and the bidder would receive a pup from the next litter. Dr. Lori Reece and her husband, Devon, won the bid the second time around.
Vickie Gohl of Culbertson was the guest speaker for the event. Her father, Curtis Leffler, who died of lung cancer, "wanted to spend time at home."
"Hospice allowed him to stay home and be in his own bed, his own chair and drive in his little green truck so he could visit his friends and families," she said.
"Dad passed away in his own bed and with his wife by his side," she said.
Crowe also read a letter from Tammy Allen, a current recipient of hospice care. In a choked voice, Crowe explained that two months ago, her dear friend invited Crowe to her room to talk about hospice. She told the group that while she had been involved in hospice in the past, this was her first personal experience with the benefits.
In the letter, Allen told the group of the benefits hospice had provided not only herself, but to her family and friends.
The packages and bid winners included:
1) Break Away provided by Community Hospital Dietary Department and McCook Eye Clinic. Purchased by: Scott and Deb Sinclair
2)Woodland Christmas provided by D & D Floral, Diane Gaulke, Denise Volquardsen, Sandy McConville and Deb Sinclair. Purchased by: Steve and Diane Marr
3) Thanksgiving Bounty provided by Borsheim's, Kim Korgan and Gina Stamm. Purchased by: Dr. John and Cindy West
4) Gourmet Dining Experience provided by Michael and Laura Ford and Matt and Shelly Sehnert and Designing Women. Purchased by: Darrell and Joyce Potthoff, Joe and Julie Gillespie, and Maury and April Green
5)Tech Support provided by Pinpoint, Radioshack, Eakes Office Plus and Community Hospital's Information Systems Department. Purchased by: Norm and Sharon Timmerman
6) Decorate Around the Calendar provided by the Country Cream Club. Purchased by: Dr. Wayne and Lori Watkins
7) Take the Lied provided by Gary and Donna Bieganski and Mike and Marilyn Kunkel. Purchased by: Andy and Geri Anderson
8) Homespun Delight provided by the Homemakers Club, Sunsetters Club and Ruth Sughroue. Purchased by: Deb and Bruce Wilcox
9) Mile High provided by Ron and Nancy Mousel. Purchased by: Norm and Sharon Timmerman
10) Selected from the Heartland provided by Warren and Sharon Frazier, Heartland Cattle Company, Patsy Houghton, Cal Siegfried, Stuart and RoxaneSeidner and Bill and Lorna Taylor. Purchased by: 15 for Chance/Jim and Kristi Clapp
11) Storm Watcher provided by Jim and Kristi Clapp and Stan and Carmen Goodwin. Purchased by: Chris and Annette Wagner
12) American Pride provided by Peg Smalley, Dari Olson, Elaine Kolbet, and Luella Krizek. Purchased by: Larry and Gail Bass
13) The Great Escape provided Dr. Jane Eskildsen, Lawrence Friestad, Dr. Richard Slovek, McCook Clinic, and Outdoor Sports. Purchased by: Martin and Wanda Thompson
14) Holiday Happenings donated by Xi Beta Alpha, Alpha Zeta, and Alpha Beta. Purchased by: Jerda Garey
15) Frozen Fare provided by D & S Hardware, Sunmart, Wal-Mart, Merry Mrs. Club, and Gingham Gals. Purchased by: Bob and Connie Olsen
16) Puppy Love provided by Randy and Sherry McKillip, Dr. Wayne Watkins, Red Willow Animal Clinic and Pam Gaston, Pet Pros. Purchased by: Norm and Sharon Timmerman and Devlin and Dr. Lori Reece
17) Castle in the Clouds provided by Wayne and Ruth Joy. Purchased by: Bob and Connie Olsen
18) Sweet Indulgence provided by Renalle's Classic Design, Julie's Massage, The Coppermill, Community Hospital's Maintenance Department, The Buckle and Modern Cleaners. Purchased by: Dr. Toby and Elise Free
19) I'm Game donated by Wells Fargo of McCook, Wells Fargo Brokerage Services of Omaha, and Sam Ord. Purchased by: Jeff and Kristin Stagemeyer
20) Give and Take provided by The Prairie and Coyote Country, Jay and Eileen Austin. Purchased by: Heartland Cattle Company
21) A Night on the Town provided by Landmark Inn, Woodshed and Flowers by Lee, Howard Kool Motors and McCook Radio Group. Purchased by: Kurt and Rebecca Vosburg
22) Lazy Daze provided by the Lazy Boy Concept Department and Shirley Blank. Purchased by: Larry and Gail Bass
23) Country Cottage provided by Candi Brennan and Corey Brockway, Farm Bureau Insurance. Purchased by: Larry and Gail Bass and Norm and Sharon Timmerman
24) Bison Football signed by the 2002 Bison Football Champions. Purchased by: 77 for chance/Steve and Diane Marr