The Visiting Nurse Association's 13th annual Stroll for Hospice is Sunday, May 4th. Registration begins at 12 noon and the stroll steps off at 1 pm at a new location – Central Park Plaza, 63 Lafayette Street in Valparaiso.
This year’s Stroll offers a new route through downtown Valparaiso, interaction with downtown businesses, a picnic in the park (including Culver’s Frozen Custard!), tented seating, serenading from the Hospice choir, a DJ from 27 Entertainment, raffle baskets, awards ceremony and lots of kid’s activities including a jumping house, crafts, face painting, and even a photo booth to help capture new memories. “With children under 18 free and the cost of a team of 6 or more only $50, it’s a great family-friendly way to support Hospice and honor the memory of people you love and miss,” says Maria Galka, VP of Development with the VNA.
Anyone in the community who has lost a loved one or has been touched by VNA Hospice is invited to attend. The route is a little over two miles long, and the pace is slow and easy. Not up to the walk? Not a problem, you can skip the walk and simply relax and enjoy the park!
Special signs in memory of walkers’ loved ones will be placed along the route for anyone collecting sponsorships or donations of $100 or more. Awards will be given to both the team and the individual who raises the most in sponsorships and to the team and individual with the highest number of sponsors. You can even register online and build your own memory page. Include photos, your family story and send to your family, friends and co-workers, encouraging them to support your stroll.
Registration is available online at www.firstgiving.com/vnaportercounty or by phone at 219-531-8049. Registration is $10 per walker, with children under 18 free. Teams of 6 or more may register for $50 per team. For more information, please visit the VNA website at www.VNAportercounty.org.
If you would like to support the VNA Hospice program but are not able to participate, you may mail donations to the VNA Foundation, 2401 Valley Dr., Valparaiso, IN 46383.
The Presenting Sponsor for this year’s Stroll for Hospice is George Uzelac & Associates. Additional sponsors include Porter Regional Hospital, Emerson Industrial Automation-Aerospace, and Indiana Beverage.