Choice Financial to Host Fourth Annual Go Hawaiian for Hospice Fundraiser

WHO: Choice Financial invites the community to the fourth annual “Go Hawaiian for Hospice” luau lunch in support of Hospice of the Red River Valley (HRRV).

WHAT: For a suggested donation of $5, attendees will feast on a pig roast, baked potato, fresh pineapple, Hawaiian Punch and a frozen treat, with all proceeds directly benefitting HRRV.

“We were absolutely thrilled with the amount of support the community showed for our Go Hawaiian for Hospice fundraiser last year,” Erv Inniger, board member and senior director of community relations for Choice Financial, said. “This year’s Go Hawaiian fundraising goal is $70,000. Sue Kasowski of Kasowski Farms chose to partner with Choice Financial after HRRV served both of her brothers and step-father. “Hospice has a special place in my heart,” Kasowski shared. “My brothers and step-father received wonderful care, and the support we received from Hospice of the Red River Valley was invaluable.”

Last year, approximately 1,000 people attended the event; as a result, Choice Financial presented HRRV with a check for $64,068.

In 2015, HRRV cared for 1,557 patients on their end-of-life journey throughout 29 counties in North Dakota and Minnesota. The Go Hawaiian for Hospice luau fundraiser helps provide funding for HRRV to offer end-of-life care for terminally ill patients and support for their families. As a not-for-profit organization, HRRV provides care to anyone who meets the medical guidelines for hospice care, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay. Donations and community support make this possible.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 28, 2016, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

WHERE: Choice Financial — 4501 23rd Avenue South, Fargo

#GoHawaiianForHospice – 1 ‘Like/Follow’ = $1 for Hospice! Choice Financial will donate $1 for every new ‘Like/Follow’ on both the Choice Financial and the Hospice of the Red River Valley Facebook and Twitter pages.

Facebook:                                                       Twitter:

Facebook.com/bankwithchoice                    twitter.com/bankwithchoice

Facebook.com/hospicerrv                             twitter.com/HRRV

*Runs May 19-June 28. All funds will go directly to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

July Lunch and Learn Announced: Hospice – A Comforting Presence

Hospice of the Red River Valley invites health care professionals to its July Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, from noon-1 p.m.

Topic, Presenter & Date
The next Lunch and Learn will take place on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, from noon-1 p.m.

Roxanne Smedsrud, RN, clinical education specialist with Hospice of the Red River Valley, will present on the topic of Hospice: A Comforting Presence. In this session, participants will learn the scope of hospice care, including evidence-based nursing interventions for management of end-of-life signs and symptoms, and comfort measures to ensure patient dignity.

Continuing Education
Hospice of the Red River Valley is an approved provider of continuing education for social workers and nurses* in North Dakota. This program will be awarded 1 contact hour.

*CEs for nurses available only for this presentation.

This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Western Multi-State Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, and Utah Nurses Associations are members of the Western Multi-State Division of the American Nurses Association.

Locations
For your convenience, Lunch and Learns will be held in five Hospice of the Red River Valley Office locations:

  • Fargo – 1701 38th Street SW, Fargo, N.D.
  • Detroit Lakes* – 1111 Highway 10, Detroit Lakes, Minn.
  • Grand Forks* – 2860 10th Avenue N., Ste. 400, Grand Forks, N.D.
  • Lisbon* – 415 Main Street, Lisbon, N.D.
  • Valley City* – 1240 W. Main Street, Valley City, N.D.

*The Detroit Lakes, Grand Forks, Lisbon and Valley City office locations will be connected via videoconference to the Fargo office, where the live presentation will take place.

Registration
This event is free and open to all health care professionals, but pre-registration is required because space is limited. Participants may bring their own lunches; coffee and water will be provided. RSVP to Wendy Tabor-Buth: wtabor@hrrv.org or (701) 356-1532 one week prior to the Lunch and Learn, and indicate which location you will be attending.

Lunch and Learns in 2016 will be held every other month starting in January on the third Tuesday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. Specific topics and descriptions will be shared closer to each date.

Seventh Annual Sweet N’ Stickey in Dickey Event Announced to Benefit Hospice of the Red River Valley

Sweet N Stickey 2016The Seventh Annual Sweet N’ Stickey in Dickey Rib Cook Off will be held at the Dickey Bar on Saturday, July 9, 2016. All proceeds will be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley in memory of loved ones who have passed away, most of which have received Hospice care in the community. “We continue to hold this event because we are so thankful for the care Hospice has and continues to provide to our loved ones, and we look forward to another successful cook off,” Chrissy Kartes, event organizer, said.

Starting 6 p.m., ribs will be served to the public. Attendees are encouraged to give a free-will donation for a meal. Church of Cash, a Johnny Cash tribute band, will be performing at the event this year. Seating is limited, please bring a lawn chair if you plan to watch the band. The band will perform from 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

For a $30 entry fee, interested individuals can enter their tasty recipe in the rib cook off contest for a chance to win the coveted Sweet N’ Stickey in Dickey trophy. All ribs must be cooked and ready to present for judging at 5:30 p.m., and each entrant will need to provide their own grill or smoker along with their own utensils.

Registration is required by July 1 and includes two racks of ribs and a Sweet N’ Stickey in Dickey T-shirt. Along with the entry fee, a registration form should be completed. Registration forms and money can be delivered to the Dickey Bar or mailed to Chrissy Kartes at 213 3rd Street, Dickey, N.D., 58431. Please write checks to Dickey Bar. After July 1, interested parties should contact Chrissy Kartes at 701-778-7346 for availability.

For regular updates, join the Sweet N’ Stickey in Dickey Rib Cook Off Facebook group.

First Annual Rib Best in Naytahwaush Raises $1,766 for Hospice of the Red River Valley

From left to right: Curt Seter from Hospice of the Red River Valley, Tim Nelson, Ellie Accobee and Rib Best organizer Becky Rantanen
From left to right: Curt Seter from Hospice of the Red River Valley, Tim Nelson, Ellie Accobee and Rib Best organizer Becky Rantanen

The first annual Rib Best rib competition and potluck was held June 4 at Pinehurst Resort in Naytahwaush and raised $1,766.05 for Hospice of the Red River Valley. The funds will be used to help provide hospice care in Naytahwaush and the surrounding area.

There were 14 entrants in this year’s competition. Ellie Accobee won first place, and Tim Nelson took second place. Both winners donated their cash prizes back to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

“The people of Naytahwaush and the surrounding communities continue to be great supporters of our organization,” said Curt Seter, a development officer with Hospice of the Red River Valley.

ribbest2_sm“Becky Rantanen and Josh Thorpe organized the event, and because of their efforts, along with the efforts of volunteers and participants of Rib Best and other events held in the Naytahwaush area, Hospice of the Red River Valley will have the resources needed to continue the important work of giving compassionate end-of-life care to the patients, family members and loved ones of the Naytahwaush area.”

Planning is underway for next year’s event.