HOSPICE OF THE TWIN CITIES INC - 2011 Holiday Lights & Limos Program

2011 Holiday Lights & Limos Program

The 2011 Holiday Lights & Limos Program will provide holiday light tours in limousines and wheelchair-adapted buses to Hospice of the Twin Cities' patients and their families. The goals of the program are to:

• Enable hospice patients to share the joy of the season with their families through this life-affirming, unique and fun experience.

• Ease the emotional pain the holidays bring to families who are anticipating loss.

• Create a lasting memory for the families of participating patients.

• Fulfill our mission of providing the highest quality patient-and-family centered care to those with life-limiting illnesses.

Funding

This program is solely funded by public contributions, and we welcome the support of individuals, organizations and corporations.

History

The Holiday Lights & Limos Program was launched in 2008. Through this program, hospice patients in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas are able to view the holiday lights with their families while riding in the comfort of a limousine or wheelchair-adapted bus.
For many of these medically fragile patients, this is their last
opportunity to see the holiday lights and share the joy of the season with their children, grandchildren, other family members and friends.

Since 2008, over 500 holiday light tours have been generously donated by limousine and transit companies so that hospice patients and their families could participate in this program. Patients and their love ones receive gifts and treats on these rides, as well as a photo of their memorable evening together.

About 100 volunteers contribute thousands of hours of their time to the Holiday Lights & Limos Program every year, including making special blankets for every patient participating in the program. Also, a brass ensemble has created a special holiday music CD for all program participants.

The Holiday Lights & Limos Program was created in conjunction with Hospice of the Twin Cities by Diane Hallock in memory of her mother, Anita Hallock. This year's program is dedicated to the memory of Colleen Bryn of Blaine, MN.

About Hospice of the Twin Cities

Hospice of the Twin Cities (HOTC) provides services to individuals with life-limiting illnesses that no longer respond to treatment. Generally, these patients have less than six months to live. Individuals of all ages are served by HOTC, regardless of their ability to pay.

Hospice of the Twin Cities is a not-for-profit, Medicare certified, state-licensed hospice program, CHAP accredited and a subsidiary of the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency, a non-profit United Way Agency. The mission of Hospice of the Twin Cities is to enhance the quality of lives of patients and their families by providing respectful care based on maintaining dignity, alleviating suffering, advocating for fundamental rights and affirming the sacred value of life.

Volunteer Opportunities

Contact Deb Pascuzzi, Hospice of the Twin Cities Volunteer Coordinator for more information about volunteer opportunities at 763-531-2424 or pascuzzid@hospiceofthetwincities.com.