Hospice House Benefits from Munson Ball

Nearly 400 people spent “An Evening in Paradise,” enjoying dinner and dancing among magnificent tropical flora, with the added enjoyment of raising an impressive amount of support for the Hospice House.

Proceeds from the 17th Annual Munson Ball on Feb. 4 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa are expected to total more than $62,000. First time event sponsors were Cellular One and Molon Excavating.

“It’s wonderful to have such strong support from our community,” said Ruth Bloomer, manager of the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation. “We are very grateful to all of our sponsors because this event could not take place without them.”

The Ball’s tropical theme was enhanced by the talents of local decorator and designer Matt Fischer of Fischer Designs who created a “tropical island” out of floral
arrangements.

Munson’s eight-bed Hospice House opened in April 2004. Patients have ranged in age from 20 to 98. Each year, about $250,000 is needed for financial assistance for those who stay at Hospice House, and to offset operating costs.

“The Hospice House is a tremendous asset to our community,” Bloomer said. “We were pleased to designate it as recipient of this year’s ball proceeds, because the inspiring service and depth of compassion that takes place there is well worth our efforts and support.”

The 18th Annual Munson Ball will be held on Feb. 3, 2007.

Benefactor and Corporate Sponsors included: 1. UBS Financial Services; 2. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Frank and Cheryl Smith; 3. The Diehl Foundation; 4. Priority Health: Kim Horn, Jennifer Coleman, & Valerie Cramer; 5. Bank One Doug & Lorri Wolf; 6. National City Bank: Chad Dutmers, Autumn Gillow, & Charlie Lindholm; 7. ING: Tony & Kathleen Glaza; 8. ING: Tom & Susan Karry; 9. PPOM: Nicole Rodriguez, Tom Northway & Kelley Monterusso; 10. Cellular One: Lisa Bitely; 11. Credit Union One: Jerri Schmidt, Mark Guimond, & Linda Williams; 12. Williams Chevrolet Honda Kia; 13. Grand Traverse Heart Associates: John Beattie, MD & Kevin Clayton, DO; 14. Molon Excavating: Rob Lange & Terry Gottes; 15. Sodexho: Norm Weichelt, Dave Scholz, Frank Gavern, & Mark Clark. Contributor Sponsors included: Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Benzie County Medical Society; National Surgical Care; Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge; Tower Pinkster Titus; Traverse Anesthesia; and Traverse Reproduction.