Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County is preparing to host its 24th Annual Festival of Remembrance, a signature fundraising event that supports compassionate end-of-life care and home health services throughout the region. This year’s event will take place on Friday, Aug. 15, at the 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds, with doors opening at 6 p.m.
The festival serves as a vital fundraiser for the Hospice House and other essential programs provided by the organization. Funds raised help offset the costs of care, allowing the nonprofit to continue providing services regardless of a patient’s financial situation.
“We provide care wherever someone calls home,” said Tara Dahlstrom, Ancillary Service and Business Development Director. “That includes everything from hospice and home health to emergency alert systems and private duty services like bathing assistance and housekeeping.”
One of the event’s most anticipated features is the grand prize drawing for a three-year lease on a 2024 Ford Maverick, donated by longtime community partner Mel Hambelton Ford. Raffle tickets are available now—one for $25, six for $100, or fifteen for $200—and can be purchased online at hospicerenocounty.com, at the Hospice and HomeCare office at 2020 N. Waldron, Suite 100, or by calling 620-665-2473.
Pre-event raffle sales will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10. Five finalists will be drawn at 7:45 a.m. on Aug. 11, during the KWBW Morning Show, with five more finalists selected during the festival. Those ten finalists will each try a key in the Maverick’s ignition—whoever’s key starts the vehicle will win the lease on the truck.
Mel Hambelton Ford has been a sponsor of the festival for 14 years. “They do more than donate a vehicle,” said Rachel Nelson, Advisory Board Chair. “They attend, they care, and they are truly part of our mission.”
The festival will also feature a silent auction, which opens online on Aug. 11, a live auction, raffles, food, drinks, and entertainment. Donations are still being accepted for both silent and live auctions.
This year’s “itemless item” fundraising focus will go toward purchasing a new Whirlpool tub for the Hospice House and upgrading mobile technology for in-home care staff. Previous donations have funded patient recliners and overnight accommodations for families staying with loved ones in hospice.
“Every gift enhances our ability to provide comfort and dignity,” Nelson said. “Whether it’s a warm bath or a place to rest for a loved one, these details matter.”
Individual tickets and reserved tables are still available. For more information, to donate, or to purchase raffle tickets, visit hospicerenocounty.com or call 620-665-2473.