Hospice of Mercy care helps us die with dignity
By Ann Butler
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Durango Herald
Most Neighbors readers know me strictly as the writer of all things positive and cheery. But I write something else at the Herald that frequently leads me to think philosophically - the obituaries. Death is an important part of the circle of life, but in our society we like to think that if we run an extra mile or don't eat that ice cream cone, somehow we can avoid it. When people speak about or prepare for their deaths, we often call it morbid.
But death comes for us all, and Hospice of Mercy is an important institution in our community that helps our loved ones die with dignity and grace. Equally important, hospice is there for those who remain to aid in grieving and healing. It's no mystery why people who have lost someone who had hospice care often volunteer to help others going through the same process.
More than 320 people gathered Thursday at the fifth annual Soup for the Soul at the Fort Lewis College Ballroom to raise money for Hospice of Mercy. As always, the level of generosity from businesses and individuals was awe-inspiring.
Guests had a plethora of delights to choose from on the menu. Should it be ribolita from the Glacier Club? Chipotle- ham chowder from Mahogany Grill? Tomato-basil bisque from Ken & Sue's? Redchile- pork posole with tortilla española from Season's Rotisserie and Grill? Or potato and mushroom soup from Mutu's Italian Kitchen? Perhaps chicken stew or beef chili from Carver Brewing Co. or greenchile stew from Gazpacho Mexican Restaurant? Or maybe butternut squash soup prepared by The Garden Terrace Café at Mercy Regional Medical Center?
In the end, I enjoyed the cioppino from Christina's Bar & Grill, spicy Moroccan soup from Durangourmet, chicken and coconut soup from the Ore House and seafood chowder from the Cosmopolitan. Delish! A number of appetizers and desserts also were on offer. I wasn't quick enough to try the mini dark-chocolate bundt cakes from the Ore House, but the chocolate mousse cups from Digs Market Café, opening in Three Springs, melted in my mouth. Jean-Pierre Bakery and the DoubleTree Hotel donated their justifiably famous cookies, and Bread provided its well-loved breads.
Star Liquors provided wine, Steamworks Brewing Co. donated the suds, you can guess what Steaming Bean Coffee gave and McDonald's anted up some refreshing iced tea.
Kirk James set the scene with some great blues. Cheryl Folwell recruited 40 women to donate floral centerpieces that were for sale for $20. I don't know the creator, but one arrangement looked like a chocolate cake with once slice cut out. Way cool.
Because this was all about raising money, a number of silent-auction items also were on the block. In a fun twist on the soup theme, volunteers had created Campbell's Soup can displays for groupings of personal pampering gift certificates, adventure and golf outings, hosting family certificates and so on. The evening also served as the début of a short film about Hospice of Mercy, which is on track to serve more than 200 patients this year. In the film, Charlie Taylor, who died recently, shared his feelings about the care he had received. Drs. Beth Mazzola and Pat Kearney talked about the rewards of working with patients and their families.
A lot of people also sponsored the event. Durango Cancer Center was the presenting sponsor and Chevron provided the party favors - blue soup mugs with Soup for the Soul printed on them, which will make all of us remember Hospice of Mercy whenever we have a steaming bowl of nourishing soup in the future.
There also was a Soup for the Soul held in Pagosa Springs on Feb. 12. A crowd of more than 300 people helped raise more than $16,500 for Hospice of Mercy, which also serves Archuleta County.
For those who weren't able to attend Soup for the Soul, Hospice of Mercy can use all the support we can give, because they provide services regardless of ability to pay. Donations may be sent to Mercy Health Foundation, 1010 Three Springs Blvd., Durango, CO 81301-9971.
