By Travia J. Cromartie, Marketing and Community Relations Director, Big Bend Hospice
There are moments in this work that stay with you.
Not because they were planned. Not because they were part of a strategy or a campaign. But because they remind you, very clearly, why we do what we do.
Late last month, Calhoun County experienced a devastating wildfire that swept through more than 500 acres of one of the most underserved areas in the county. Homes were lost, vehicles were destroyed, and families were displaced. For many, everything they had built over a lifetime was gone in a matter of hours.
In the days that followed, Big Bend Hospice hosted a donation drive to support the families impacted. Our community showed up in a big way, and last week, our team traveled to Calhoun County to deliver those donations directly to the people who needed them most.
That’s when I drove through the community and witnessed the devastation.
What I saw is hard to put into words. Burned foundations where homes once stood, personal belongings reduced to ash, and in the middle of it all, families trying to figure out what comes next. Several are still living on their property in tents, choosing to remain because it’s all they have left.
But what stayed with me even more than the devastation was the way people were showing up for one another.
I watched as individuals came to pick up supplies, then returned with neighbors who didn’t have transportation, so they could come and receive what they needed themselves. Even in the middle of so much loss, people were still looking out for one another. That kind of strength and compassion is something you don’t forget.
When I returned, I shared with our senior leadership team what I had seen firsthand. Not just the damage, but the ongoing need. And without hesitation, we made the decision to go back.
While Big Bend Hospice is still new to Calhoun County, these are our neighbors, and they need us.
In the coming weeks, our team will return with additional supplies and items that families have told us they still need, such as insect repellent, cleaning supplies, pet food, and basic necessities. It’s a small gesture, but it’s one that comes from listening and responding to what the community is asking for.
With every interaction, we’re also sharing who we are. Letting families know that Big Bend Hospice is here, that we are part of their community now, and that our care extends beyond what many people expect from hospice.
Because this is what community looks like.
It’s not just about the care we provide at the bedside. It’s about showing up when people are hurting. It’s about being present in moments of crisis, even when those moments fall outside the traditional scope of what we do.
Expanding into Calhoun County, Jackson County, and Gulf County has always been about more than geography. It’s about building relationships. It’s about earning trust. And sometimes, that begins not with a service, but with a simple act of showing up.
There is still a long road ahead for the families impacted by this wildfire. Recovery will take time. But what I saw in Calhoun County gave me hope.
Because even in the face of loss, this community is strong, connected, and not alone.
And as Big Bend Hospice continues to grow in this region, I want them to know, we’re here to stay.