January 5, 2007

CONTACT:
Communications Department
(320) 251-2700, ext. 74980

Annual holiday event raises $170,000 for Hospice

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The 32nd annual Holly Ball raised $170,000 for CentraCare Health Foundation – Hospice Fund.

In 2005, Hospice volunteers invested more than 2,613 hours while serving 280 patients. More than 4,176 patients have received hospice care since 1983.

More than $2 million has been raised for Hospice since Holly Ball began.

Hospice Care is a philosophy -- a set of attitudes. It helps support people in the final stages of their lives and offers an environment of hope that symptoms can be managed, fears diminished, questions answered and loneliness eased. Hospice enables patients and their families to approach death and dying with dignity and respect.

Holly Ball 2006 was held Dec. 2 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites. The holiday event sold out and more than 1,100 guests enjoyed a gourmet food, dancing and a silent auction at the holiday event.

Save the date for Holly Ball 2007 scheduled for Dec. 1, 2007.

For more information on Holly Ball, please contact CentraCare Health Foundation at (320) 240-2810.

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