By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The community was shining brightly at the 17th Annual HomeCare Matters Home Health and Hospice Celebrity Waiter Dinner and Auction Tuesday night.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary of home healthcare, and 25th anniversary of hospice care, the fundraiser’s theme was “A Starry, Starry Night.”
Dean Heid, development and marketing coordinator for HomeCare Matters, explained why the interstellar theme was chosen for the annual fundraiser.
“We wanted to bring something to the community to show that they shine and that is why we did ‘A Starry, Starry Night.’ They are the reason that we shine,” Heid said.
Other than a change of venue for the program to the Crawford County Fairgrounds, the auction had another noticeable change. With the passing of Roger Moore last year, Craig A. Miley was the auctioneer for the evening. Prior to the auction beginning, a plaque celebrating the late Bucyrus mayor’s accomplishments with the organization was presented to his wife, Fonda.
Numerous items such as a patio propane heater, autographed hats, gift certificates, and more were on the auction block both in live and silent auctions to help raise money to help cover financial shortfalls to allow community members to receive needed medication, equipment, grief support, and medical services not covered by insurance.
“Last year we raised $12,000. We hope to top that this year, we will see how it goes. It is just the generosity of the community that helps keep us going. A lot of people don’t understand that bereavement services aren’t covered by Medicare and Medicaid, but we are required to have them,” Heid explained.
The Crawford Theater Company’s Matt Feck and Betsy Gerhart provided dinner entertainment as they performed songs that appeared in their speakeasy production.
Special Occasions Catering catered the event. Celebrity waiters were Al Basinger, Eric Gilbert, Brittiny Leeth, Kevin Myers, Connie Smith, and Tami Sulser.