Big Bend Hospice is honored to serve our community as the Hometown Hospice.
This includes our Veterans who we recently honored during many community events this past Veterans Day:
Tallahassee Veterans Day Parade
Derrick Sykes (Veterans Liaison), Michael Blaine (BBH Valor Volunteer), and Sharron Pena (BBH Valor Volunteer) participated in a Veterans Recognition Ceremony at Harbor Chase Assisted Living Facility in Tallahassee. Over 40 people were in attendance as BBH Valor Team presented recognition certificates to seven patients who are military veterans. Facility staff, residents, and recognized veterans were extremely appreciative of our participation in the event.
Veterans Recognition Ceremony at Harbor Chase Assisted Living Facility
On Nov 11, 2022 Big Bend Hospice participated in the Tallahassee Veterans Day parade. The BBH Parade Team consisted of Katie Mandell, Derrick Sykes, Cristy Dollar, Sandra Showers, Francesca Milton, Taylor Casper, Catherine Heath, William Byram and two current BBH volunteers (John Koehler and Bonnie McHugh). Volunteer John Koehler played the Bagpipes during the BBH Team parade walk. Derrick Sykes (Veterans Liaison) was able to connect with several attending organizations for possible partnership opportunities in near future.
Franklin County Veterans Day Ceremony
Kara Walker (Community Engagement Coordinator) and Paulina Pendarvis (Professional Relations Liaison) attended the Franklin County Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov 11, 2022, which was held at the St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island. The ceremony featured speakers and recognized all veterans in attendance. Kara & Paulina engaged numerous veterans about the wide array of volunteer opportunities with BBH. There were well over 100 people in attendance.
Jefferson County Veterans Day Breakfast
Big Bend Hospice was privileged to participate in the 2022 Jefferson County Veterans Day Breakfast that was held on Nov 11, 2022 at American Legion Post 49 in Monticello. Big Bend Hospice Volunteers (Helen Braswell, Nancy Dodd, Sylvia Sheffield, and Juanice Hughes) were present for the event that featured speakers and discussions on topics directly related to military veteran benefits and services. Veterans in attendance were provided information concerning Vet-to-Vet Volunteer opportunities within Big Bend Hospice and informational booklets designed to assist with documenting essential information regarding Veteran’s military careers. The event was attended by over 140 veterans and veteran supporters.
Wakulla County Veterans Ceremony
Derrick Sykes (Veterans Liaison) attended the Wakulla County Veterans Recognition Ceremony, which was held at the Wakulla County Community Center in Crawfordville. This ceremony featured speakers and vendors offering benefits and services that were created and designed specifically for military veterans. Veterans in attendance were provided information concerning Vet-to-Vet Volunteer Opportunities with BBH and informational booklets designed to assist with documenting essential information regarding veterans’ military careers. There were over 55 people in attendance.
Wakulla County Veterans Parade
Kara Walker (Community Engagement Coordinator) and Paulina Pendarvis (Professional Relations Liaison) participated in the Wakulla County Veterans Parade in Crawfordville. During the parade Kara and Paulina engaged local veterans and parade attendees through conversation concerning BBH services and the handing out of candy, beads, and leaflets to parade onlookers.
Kelly Chastain (Professional Relations Liaison) attended a Veterans Recognition in Perry with around 75 people in attendance. The ceremony featured a vocalist and a speaker, and Kelly was able to interact with each participating vendor and numerous veterans in attendance to provide information regarding the wide array of volunteer opportunities with BBH.
Catherine Heath (Healthcare Facilities Educator), Robert Apgar (BBH Valor Volunteer), and Bonnie McHugh (BBH Valor Volunteer) participated in a Veterans Recognition Ceremony at The Grove @ Canopy Oaks Senior Living Facility in Tallahassee. Over 50 people were in attendance as the BBH Team presented certificates to 10 veteran patients.
Thank You Capital City Woman’s Club
A special thank you to The Capital City Women’s Club, a long-time supporter of the Big Bend Hospice Valor Team. On November 11th, The Woman’s Club, represented by Mary Johnson, Marty O’Neill, and Rose O’Leary presented 17 Red, White, and Blue Afgan Quilts to BBH to be used in Valor Ceremonies offered to our military veteran patients. We are very appreciative of their donations and continuous support over the years.
Big Bend Hospice is thankful to be your hometown hospice and proud to serve the communities of the Big Bend area. If you would like to learn more about the mission of Big Bend Hospice, or if you might benefit from hospice services, call (850) 878-5310.
