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Jan Cuperus, Nancy Fell, Judy Schoberg, Jenny Herding, Pam Steen and Dianna Williams help serve a meal to rummage sale patrons through the Friends of Hospice group. -
Hospice Volunteers, left to right, Mary Baune, Clarice Kappes and Marge Freeburg.
By Crystal Reith Roughly 35 years ago, Eleanor Bergland started the Hospice of Murray County rummage sale in the building behind the shoe shop. Over the years, it has transformed into eight full buildings on the Murray County Fairgrounds.
For last month’s rummage sale, over 150 volunteers were involved in the fundraiser.
“We logged over 3,700 hours by volunteers,” said Mary Baune, volunteer coordinator of Hospice of Murray County. “Volunteers put in from one to 97 hours during the two weeks of prep and sale.”
Donations were accepted the week prior to the sale and volunteers worked a full week of tenhour days to prepare items for the sale.
“Volunteers are one of the most important parts of the fundraising part of our rummage sale. Our volunteers are very dedicated to the sale. They are always wanting to make it better than last year,” said Baune, who has been with Hospice of Murray County for 12 years. “Our donations are the next most important.”
While the volunteers have stories about some unusual items they have seen donated to the rummage sale, they are always appreciative of the donations.
“We receive quality items at our sale,” said Baune. “We can sell items for a good price to raise the funds needed. We are always grateful for the ability to put together such a great fundraiser each year.”
The funds raised each year go towards medical supplies and equipment needed to care for patients.
“We serve anywhere between six and 25 patients at a time,” said Baune. “We have capacity for four patients in our house. We serve patients in their homes, nursing homes, assisted living or where they call home.”
At the end of the five-day rummage sale, hospice donated the leftover clothing to Disabled American Veterans and shoes went to the Souls for Soles program through the Tracy Lions Club. Items also went to St. Vincent de Paul and the St. Francis House in Sioux Falls, the Pregnancy Center in Worthington and Goodwill stores in Worthington and Marshall.
“We were able to send two trailers to a program called ‘A Fresh Start’ with the Lake Sarah Baptist Church group,” said Baune. “The Furniture Mission in Sioux Falls was able to take furniture. Some items were donated to the Avera Thrift and Restore in Marshall.”
Now that the annual rummage sale has wrapped up, Hospice of Murray County is turning its attention to community outreach and education. The organization plans to increase public awareness about the full range of hospice services available to individuals and families in the area. Through presentations and informational materials, Hospice of Murray County aims to help residents better understand how hospice care can provide comfort, dignity, and support during life’s most challenging times.
“We have some Lunch and Learns coming up in the area,” said Baune. “Hospice can be a scary word to some. We want to help lessen the misconceptions of hospice. We are all about the quality of life” Lunch and Learns will be held at 11:30 a.m. on October 15 at the Westbrook Community Center, October 21 at the Fulda Community Center, October 22 at the 4-H building in Slayton and October 30 at the Center in Balaton.
In November, Hospice of Murray County will celebrate hospice month with a coloring contest, turkey giveaways and a virtual presentation. Follow their Facebook page for some like and share contests as well.
