Big Bend Hospice Foundation

“True giving from the heart is an expression of love.” ~ Cara Stein

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We inspire hope by positively impacting the way our community experiences serious illness or grief – one family at a time.

Mission Support

Big Bend Hospice Foundation (BBHF) provides unwavering help and support to those individuals and families in their greatest time of need. Established in 1995, and through the generosity and compassion of our community, your Foundation ensures that the unfunded and underfunded programs such as Charity Care, Community Bereavement Services, Music Therapy and our Special Patient Needs Fund continue to thrive.

Big Bend Hospice Foundation is grateful for the outpouring of support from our eight-county community. Your generosity and heartfelt compassion make a profound difference in the lives of those facing life’s final journey, offering a sanctuary of peace amidst life’s most challenging moments. Together we stand as a beacon of love and support, making every moment count.

Please join us in our Mission and support your Hometown Hospice today.

Thank you for inspiring Hope!

Donate

Our Next Event

Spring Fling 2025

Big Bend Hospice’s Spring Fling has become the premier social event of the season! Each year, a magical theme sets the tone for an enchanted evening. Restaurants and caterers throughout the community serve their delicious creations while over 700 guests enjoy a relaxing evening at Tallahassee Nurseries, the state’s largest and oldest nursery – voted the South’s Best Garden Shop by Southern Living.

Learn More

Community of Supporters

To view our Giving Society, History, Leadership, Event Support and more Foundation information, please click the interactive button below.

Inspire Hope

Annual Report

Programs We Support

Music Therapy

“If I could ever imagine what an angels voice would sound like, I believe it would sound just like my music therapist.”

From a patient who passed away on February 16, 2024

Learn More

Bereavement

“Big Bend Hospice provided every type of comfort. From caring so briefly for my husband to providing me with a supportive and insightful Grief Counselor. Their impact was so great on my life.”

Charity Care

“Thank you all for taking such great care of mama. She loved each and every one so very much. You were all so kind and loving to her. You have a very special place in my heart.”

Special Patient Needs

“You sent the new walker which arrived earlier today. My old walker was a ‘hand–me–down’ from long ago. I can manage the new one easily, even with my gnarled fingers! You are angels in street clothes!!”

First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care

“I just want to thank you for everything you did for my brother to get him to a beautiful place where he could pass peacefully. It was so hard, but meant so much to us. You ALL are special people in this world. I am forever grateful.”

Learn More

Learn More

McCully/Dozier House

“After being in the care of Big Bend Hospice for a year and a half at an assisted living facility, you kindly allowed my wife to stay at the Dozier House for a week, during a time where she needed additional medical care. The care that she received was exemplary. The Hospice House and personnel were outstanding. We cannot fully express our thanks for allowing her to stay there.”

Valor Program

“Daddy and my Uncle proudly served our country through their military service, and we are so grateful to Big Bend Hospice for providing our two special veterans compassionate care and a dignified end to their lives. It relieved all of us knowing they were physically comfortable and so well honored. Big Bend Hospice is known for one of the best for helping families through difficult times. Thank you for all that you do.”

Learn More

Spiritual Care

“Physical pain is easy to treat. Emotional is connected to the heart. And you have to connect with the spirit. We all took turns saying whatever was on our heart as she transitioned. Having our Hospice nurse there in those final hours to interpret the last stages was a godsend, right up until the moment that Mom breathed her last.”

Big Bend Hospice Foundation

President

Dena Strickland Hendrix

Big Bend Hospice Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees

The Big Bend Hospice Foundation Board of Trustees provides leadership and governance over the operation of the Foundation and supports the programs, services, activities and interests of Big Bend Hospice. Take a moment to meet the community leaders that give of their personal time to serve the mission of Big Bend Hospice Foundation.

Contact Dena Strickland, President, Big Bend Hospice Foundation, Inc. at
850-878 5310 or foundation@bigbendhospice.org

Board of Trustees

Stan Barnes
Chairman

Marty Sipple
Vice-Chairman

Patti Graganella
Secretary

Michael Kalifeh
Treasurer

Gwynn Virostek
Past Chairman

Scott Harrell
Big Bend Hospice Chairman

Alicia Crew
Emeritus

Les Akers

Ken Boutwell

Beth Desloge

Makeba Earst, DDS

Mark Hillis

Rob Langford

Jane Marks

DeWitt Miller

Martha Olive-Hall

Kenneth Pratt

Angela Terhune

Marjorie Turnbull

Sharon Weeden

Bill Wertman
Big Bend Hospice CEO

Emeritus Members

John Aurell
Valerie Cattau
Gail Croy
Walter Culley
David Harvey
Judy Pate
Roy Young

Foundation Staff

Dena Strickland
President

Catherine Leonard
Executive Assistant/Board Liaison

Connie Palmer
Director of Special Events/Foundation Manager

Leila McClure
Events Coordinator Assistant

Michele Hood
Donor Services Coordinator

Samantha Carpenter
Administrative Assistant

Mission Support

Big Bend Hospice Foundation (BBHF) provides unwavering help and support to those individuals and families in their greatest time of need. Established in 1995, and through the generosity and compassion of our community, your Foundation ensures that the unfunded and underfunded programs such as Charity Care, Community Bereavement Services, Music Therapy and our Special Patient Needs Fund continue to thrive.

Big Bend Hospice Foundation is grateful for the outpouring of support from our eight-county community. Your generosity and heartfelt compassion make a profound difference in the lives of those facing life’s final journey, offering a sanctuary of peace amidst life’s most challenging moments. Together we stand as a beacon of love and support, making every moment count.

Please join us in our Mission and support your Hometown Hospice today.

Thank you for inspiring Hope!

Donate

Our Next Event

Spring Fling 2025

Big Bend Hospice’s Spring Fling has become the premier social event of the season! Each year, a magical theme sets the tone for an enchanted evening. Restaurants and caterers throughout the community serve their delicious creations while over 700 guests enjoy a relaxing evening at Tallahassee Nurseries, the state’s largest and oldest nursery – voted the South’s Best Garden Shop by Southern Living.

Learn More

Community of Supporters

To view our Giving Society, History, Leadership, Event Support and more Foundation information, please click the interactive button below.

Inspire Hope

Annual Report

Programs We Support

Music Therapy

“If I could ever imagine what an angels voice would sound like, I believe it would sound just like my music therapist.”

From a patient who passed away on
February 16, 2024

Learn More

Bereavement

“Big Bend Hospice provided every type of comfort. From caring so briefly for my husband to providing me with a supportive and insightful Grief Counselor. Their impact was so great on my life.”

Learn More

Charity Care

“Thank you all for taking such great care of mama. She loved each and every one so very much. You were all so kind and loving to her. You have a very special place in my heart.”

Special Patient Needs

“You sent the new walker which arrived earlier today. My old walker was a ‘hand–me–down’ from long ago. I can manage the new one easily, even with my gnarled fingers! You are angels in street clothes!!”

First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care

“I just want to thank you for everything you did for my brother to get him to a beautiful place where he could pass peacefully. It was so hard, but meant so much to us. You ALL are special people in this world. I am forever grateful.”

Learn More

McCully/Dozier House

“After being in the care of Big Bend Hospice for a year and a half at an assisted living facility, you kindly allowed my wife to stay at the Dozier House for a week, during a time where she needed additional medical care. The care that she received was exemplary. The Hospice House and personnel were outstanding. We cannot fully express our thanks for allowing her to stay there.”

Learn More

Valor Program

“Daddy and my Uncle proudly served our country through their military service, and we are so grateful to Big Bend Hospice for providing our two special veterans compassionate care and a dignified end to their lives. It relieved all of us knowing they were physically comfortable and so well honored. Big Bend Hospice is known for one of the best for helping families through difficult times. Thank you for all that you do.”

Learn More

Spiritual Care

“Physical pain is easy to treat. Emotional is connected to the heart. And you have to connect with the spirit. We all took turns saying whatever was on our heart as she transitioned. Having our Hospice nurse there in those final hours to interpret the last stages was a godsend, right up until the moment that Mom breathed her last.”

Big Bend Hospice Foundation

President

Dena Strickland

Big Bend Hospice Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees

The Big Bend Hospice Foundation Board of Trustees provides leadership and governance over the operation of the Foundation and supports the programs, services, activities and interests of Big Bend Hospice. Take a moment to meet the community leaders that give of their personal time to serve the mission of Big Bend Hospice Foundation.

Contact Dena Strickland, President, Big Bend Hospice Foundation, Inc. at 850-878 5310 or foundation@bigbendhospice.org