Riverwood Gala- An Evening with the Stars

Riverwood Gala- An Evening with the Stars

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Riverwood Gala exceeds fundraising goal

October 13th was a lucky day for more than 200 guests at Riverwood’s third annual Gala fundraiser. They dined on exquisite food and drink from 16 local restaurants, beverage purveyors and caterers, bid on a wonderful selection of auction items and baskets and enjoyed live music and dancing.

“A record crowd of 206 attendees helped us exceed past amounts raised by the Gala and our goal of $13,500 for this year’s event,” says Shelli Urness, Riverwood Foundation director. “We raised nearly $25,000 thanks to the wonderful efforts of those who donated time, purchased tickets or made silent and live auction donations.”

Riverwood singing physicians made their second Gala appearance. Dr. Joselito Burgos, Dr. Jeff Ehnstrom, Dr. Mark Heggem and Dr. Charles Schotzko sang four songs including a serenade to Dr. Susan Skarp of the Garrison clinic. They invited the audience to bid on each song, which raised $2,800. Janet Larson, Riverwood nurse practitioner, and her family provided a lead gift of more than $1,700 in memory of her father, John F. Larson, toward the purchase of a fixed station MRI machine. The purchase of this new equipment is currently under consideration by Riverwood’s leadership.

“We appreciate the tremendous generosity of donors, the contributions of local chefs and the hard work of our employees and volunteers to organize this terrific event,” says Mike Hagen, Riverwood CEO. “The money raised will help us continue to enhance and maintain healthcare excellence and specialized medical services at Riverwood.”

A Riverwood panel of three judges selected the best entries in five categories and chefs were presented with special award certificates and culinary medals. The winners included the 40 Club for best main entrée of Apple Stuffed Pork Tenderloin and best appetizer of Crab Crostini; McGregor Bakery and Café for best side dish of assorted homemade breads, gourmet butters and spreads; Big Sandy Lodge and Resort for best soups and salad for Fire Roasted Corn and Squash Soup; and Ruttger’s for best dessert of Strawberries Foster.

Lonesome Pine Restaurant won the People’s Choice award through a vote from participants on their favorite dishes, and received an engraved crystal trophy.

Guests entered a drawing to win a grand prize and three runner-up prizes. Cheryl Wolfgram won a trip for two to the Mayan Palace resort near Cancun, Mexico, which was donated by Jeff and Sue Miller of the Home Lending Source. Mark and Shelli Urness won a Grand Casino Mille Lacs Jacuzzi suite and dinner; Val Thompson won Chanhassen dinner theater tickets; and Kim Jones won an overnight stay at the Country Meadows Inn in McGregor.

For more information on Riverwood Foundation giving opportunities, go to www.RiverwoodHealthcare.com\foundation or call (218) 927-5554.

Monday, July 9, 2007

7/19/2007

Riverwood reports Hospice Charity Event raises most funds ever

Riverwood reports Hospice Charity Event raises most funds ever

The annual Hospice Charity event, held July 9 at Ruttger’s and sponsored by the Riverwood Foundation, raised more than $25,000—the largest amount raised in the event’s 24-year history—for HomeHealth Partnership (HHP), supporting local hospice programs in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties.

A joint venture between Riverwood Healthcare Center and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, the local hospice program provides multi-disciplinary services to clients and families dealing with an incurable or terminable illness. The program recognizes the end of life as a stage of living and is designed to neither hasten nor postpone it. Programs meet not only the physical needs of the patient, but also the emotional, spiritual and social needs of patients and their families.

The event’s golf tournament attracted 126 golfers from across the state, with more than 30 from the McGregor area. Tom Martin, Steve Haugene, Wes Arneson and Mindy Jezierski, representing KKIN, shot a 14 under par—58—to win the tournament. However, area golfers participated to support the hospice program and were not overly concerned with their scores. Many cash prizes won by contestants were turned over to HHP.

Bill Carroll, the event chair, surprised the crowd when he volunteered to chair the event again next year. “I said that this was my last year to chair this event, but you got me again for one more year. This year we sold out the tee and green sponsors, and had more golfers than ever. Next year we want to sell out the teams – we want 144 golfers.” With that, he encouraged the crowd to please come back next year, and to encourage other teams and diners to attend.

Approximately 220 guests attended the banquet, which featured Brenda Wills, director of HHP, talking about services provided by the hospice program to patients who have six months or less to live. “It’s a touching time,” said Wills, “and we want to keep patients at home where they want to be in their final days.”

With both Aitkin’s and Crow Wing’s rapidly growing elderly population, the demand for medical treatment and end-of-life care is increasingly important. The local hospice program serves an average of 65 patients in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties annually.

Guest speaker Tim Zuel, a clinical social worker and manager of child protection for Hennepin County, shared his experience with hospice in both Aitkin County and the Veteran’s Administration in Minneapolis. His mother and brother were supported by these hospice programs. One evening in 2002, as Zuel was caring for his mother who was dying fom ALS at her home in Aitkin County, he discovered that he personally needed emotional support from hospice. It was 2 a.m. when he called for a hospice nurse and received that support. “The Aitkin community stepped to the plate for my family,” he explains, “and I learned that night that hospice is for the survivors as much as for the dying patients.”

During the banquet, Aitkin County Sheriff Scott Turner served as emcee and entertained the audience as he chided guests into participating in the live auction. Due to his efforts, bids on the prizes may have reached record highs. A cup of coffee a day for a month at the Beanery sold for $102, a purse full of money brought $701 from the Wilson family, who in turn donated the contents back to hospice.

In addition to proceeds from the golf event and the banquet, grants from Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, the Kenneth L. Keller Foundation, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe totaled $5,500, providing significant support for hospice.

The local hospice program is supported with 24 volunteers who receive special training for hospice. Those interested in learning more about volunteering for the hospice program may call HomeHealth Partnership at (218) 546-2311.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Riverwood Foundation Hospice Charity Event: Benefiting HomeHealth Partnership

Monday, July 9, 2007

Riverwood reports Hospice Charity Event raises most funds ever

Riverwood reports Hospice Charity Event raises most funds ever

The annual Hospice Charity event, held July 9 at Ruttger’s and sponsored by the Riverwood Foundation, raised more than $25,000—the largest amount raised in the event’s 24-year history—for HomeHealth Partnership (HHP), supporting local hospice programs in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties.

A joint venture between Riverwood Healthcare Center and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, the local hospice program provides multi-disciplinary services to clients and families dealing with an incurable or terminable illness. The program recognizes the end of life as a stage of living and is designed to neither hasten nor postpone it. Programs meet not only the physical needs of the patient, but also the emotional, spiritual and social needs of patients and their families.

The event’s golf tournament attracted 126 golfers from across the state, with more than 30 from the McGregor area. Tom Martin, Steve Haugene, Wes Arneson and Mindy Jezierski, representing KKIN, shot a 14 under par—58—to win the tournament. However, area golfers participated to support the hospice program and were not overly concerned with their scores. Many cash prizes won by contestants were turned over to HHP.

Bill Carroll, the event chair, surprised the crowd when he volunteered to chair the event again next year. “I said that this was my last year to chair this event, but you got me again for one more year. This year we sold out the tee and green sponsors, and had more golfers than ever. Next year we want to sell out the teams – we want 144 golfers.” With that, he encouraged the crowd to please come back next year, and to encourage other teams and diners to attend.

Approximately 220 guests attended the banquet, which featured Brenda Wills, director of HHP, talking about services provided by the hospice program to patients who have six months or less to live. “It’s a touching time,” said Wills, “and we want to keep patients at home where they want to be in their final days.”

With both Aitkin’s and Crow Wing’s rapidly growing elderly population, the demand for medical treatment and end-of-life care is increasingly important. The local hospice program serves an average of 65 patients in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties annually.

Guest speaker Tim Zuel, a clinical social worker and manager of child protection for Hennepin County, shared his experience with hospice in both Aitkin County and the Veteran’s Administration in Minneapolis. His mother and brother were supported by these hospice programs. One evening in 2002, as Zuel was caring for his mother who was dying fom ALS at her home in Aitkin County, he discovered that he personally needed emotional support from hospice. It was 2 a.m. when he called for a hospice nurse and received that support. “The Aitkin community stepped to the plate for my family,” he explains, “and I learned that night that hospice is for the survivors as much as for the dying patients.”

During the banquet, Aitkin County Sheriff Scott Turner served as emcee and entertained the audience as he chided guests into participating in the live auction. Due to his efforts, bids on the prizes may have reached record highs. A cup of coffee a day for a month at the Beanery sold for $102, a purse full of money brought $701 from the Wilson family, who in turn donated the contents back to hospice.

In addition to proceeds from the golf event and the banquet, grants from Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, the Kenneth L. Keller Foundation, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe totaled $5,500, providing significant support for hospice.

The local hospice program is supported with 24 volunteers who receive special training for hospice. Those interested in learning more about volunteering for the hospice program may call HomeHealth Partnership at (218) 546-2311




Riverwood reports Hospice Charity Event raises most funds ever

Riverwood reports Hospice Charity Event raises most funds ever

The annual Hospice Charity event, held July 9 at Ruttger’s and sponsored by the Riverwood Foundation, raised more than $25,000—the largest amount raised in the event’s 24-year history—for HomeHealth Partnership (HHP), supporting local hospice programs in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties.

A joint venture between Riverwood Healthcare Center and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, the local hospice program provides multi-disciplinary services to clients and families dealing with an incurable or terminable illness. The program recognizes the end of life as a stage of living and is designed to neither hasten nor postpone it. Programs meet not only the physical needs of the patient, but also the emotional, spiritual and social needs of patients and their families.

The event’s golf tournament attracted 126 golfers from across the state, with more than 30 from the McGregor area. Tom Martin, Steve Haugene, Wes Arneson and Mindy Jezierski, representing KKIN, shot a 14 under par—58—to win the tournament. However, area golfers participated to support the hospice program and were not overly concerned with their scores. Many cash prizes won by contestants were turned over to HHP.

Bill Carroll, the event chair, surprised the crowd when he volunteered to chair the event again next year. “I said that this was my last year to chair this event, but you got me again for one more year. This year we sold out the tee and green sponsors, and had more golfers than ever. Next year we want to sell out the teams – we want 144 golfers.” With that, he encouraged the crowd to please come back next year, and to encourage other teams and diners to attend.

Approximately 220 guests attended the banquet, which featured Brenda Wills, director of HHP, talking about services provided by the hospice program to patients who have six months or less to live. “It’s a touching time,” said Wills, “and we want to keep patients at home where they want to be in their final days.”

With both Aitkin’s and Crow Wing’s rapidly growing elderly population, the demand for medical treatment and end-of-life care is increasingly important. The local hospice program serves an average of 65 patients in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties annually.

Guest speaker Tim Zuel, a clinical social worker and manager of child protection for Hennepin County, shared his experience with hospice in both Aitkin County and the Veteran’s Administration in Minneapolis. His mother and brother were supported by these hospice programs. One evening in 2002, as Zuel was caring for his mother who was dying fom ALS at her home in Aitkin County, he discovered that he personally needed emotional support from hospice. It was 2 a.m. when he called for a hospice nurse and received that support. “The Aitkin community stepped to the plate for my family,” he explains, “and I learned that night that hospice is for the survivors as much as for the dying patients.”

During the banquet, Aitkin County Sheriff Scott Turner served as emcee and entertained the audience as he chided guests into participating in the live auction. Due to his efforts, bids on the prizes may have reached record highs. A cup of coffee a day for a month at the Beanery sold for $102, a purse full of money brought $701 from the Wilson family, who in turn donated the contents back to hospice.

In addition to proceeds from the golf event and the banquet, grants from Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, the Kenneth L. Keller Foundation, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe totaled $5,500, providing significant support for hospice.

The local hospice program is supported with 24 volunteers who receive special training for hospice. Those interested in learning more about volunteering for the hospice program may call HomeHealth Partnership at (218) 546-2311.

Healing Garden Memorial Ceremony

Healing Garden Memorial Ceremony

Sunday May 27, 2007

5/9/2007

Riverwood Healing Garden memorial ceremony

The public is invited to attend an annual memorial ceremony at Riverwood Healthcare Center's beautiful Healing Garden on Sun., May 27, 12:30 p.m. The Garden is located beneath the majestic pine and oak trees on Bunker Hill on the north side of Riverwood’s hospital and clinic facility at 200 Bunker Hill Drive in Aitkin.

This special ceremony will include recognition of those who have been memorialized or honored by relatives and friends who have made contributions to support the Healing Garden. The event will feature a short program with several speakers and music by Paul and Jean Wagner. Coffee, cookies and lemonade will be served.

Come early to stroll the memorial walkway and view the beautiful flowers and shrubs. Personalized memorial bricks will be available for purchase after the ceremony, or can be ordered any time through Riverwood’s Foundation office.

In preparation for the memorial ceremony, volunteers are urgently needed to help plant flowers in the Healing Garden on Tues., May 22, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. If possible, bring your own gardening gloves and a hand hoe.

To sign up to volunteer or for more information on how you can support the Healing Garden, please contact Katie Nelson at the Riverwood Foundation at (218) 927-5158.