Volunteers will bring some holiday joy and comfort to the staff, families and loved ones at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus today during an annual Christmas Eve meal in its 14th year.
The event was started in 2005 by Susan Barker, whose late husband had received end-of-life care at the facility. The luncheon has become an annual tradition that brings people together during the holiday season, said Cindy Flora, who has participated every year and took over planning responsibilities in 2007.
Today’s meal — consisting of ham, turkey, chicken and a variety of side dishes and desserts– will take place at noon with help from about 25 volunteers, many of whom have been involved since the beginning, Flora said.
They are providing food for about 70 people and other support, said Flora, whose father, Virgil Warnell, received hospice care at the facility until his death the day before Thanksgiving in 2007.
Flora’s mother, Gerry Warnell, and her sister, Sheri Keefer, of Dupont, also step up every year to feed staff, family members and hospice care patients.
Flora said she is driven to help Our Hospice because of her family’s experience with the facility, describing the staff as warm, loving and family orientated.
“There’s really not a lot of opportunities to go out to eat on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,” Flora said. “You just get that warm loving feeling when you walk in.”
More importantly, Flora said it makes Christmas easier for hospice patients and their family members.
“At least they can stay and be there and feel some holiday spirit as well,” she said.
With hospice care experiences of their own, Flora and many of the volunteers can relate to what current families being served by hospice are going through.
“We’re here to help comfort and get you through this time,” Flora said.
Flora also said she is thankful for the help of all the volunteers who make the meal possible each year.
Besides the large lunch, breakfast dishes will also be served today, she said.
“We couldn’t do it without the volunteers and they stuck with us all these years,” Flora said. “It’s a team effort.”
She hopes the annual dinner will continue for years to come.
Being able to help the hospice facility, its employees, patients and their family members is a blessing, she said.
“It truly is a gift to give back to the hospice and the families,” Flora said.
And for individuals looking to help, Flora said she welcomes that.
“The more, the merrie, because we can keep growing it,” she said.
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To volunteer for the annual Christmas Eve meal, individuals are asked to call organizer Cindy Flora at 812-350-3045 to see how they can help.
The meal will take place beginning at noon at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, located at 2626 17th St. in Columbus.
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