Center for Hospice Care and the Hospice Foundation Host 10th Annual Bike Michiana for Hospice and 33rd Annual Walk for Hospice

Center for Hospice Care and the Hospice Foundation Host 10th Annual Bike Michiana for Hospice and 33rd Annual Walk for Hospice

Center for Hospice Care and the Hospice Foundation held their 10th Annual Bike Michiana for Hospice this morning. For the first time, the ride was held at Center for Hospice Care's Mishawaka Campus, adjacent to Central Park alongside the St. Joseph River. The motivation for the new location was to bring attention to the Mishawaka campus and to connect the participants more closely to the cause they are supporting. The event was a double affair: Sunday morning also included the 33rd annual Walk for Hospice. The fundraiser hosted more than 400 participants and focused its support on the continued availability of compassionate care to eligible patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Peter Ashley, Director of Communications and Annual Giving for the Hospice Foundation, spoke about the exciting changes to the annual event.

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“The exciting part for us is this is the first time we have hosted the event at our beautiful campus in Mishawaka. We have great new routes and new restaurants involved this year to make the event truly special,” Ashley said.

The combined walk and cycling event featured new routes for casual cyclists and families as well as two longer routes for cycling enthusiasts. Yesterday's, South Bend Brew Werks, 523 Tap & Grill, and Olympia Candy Kitchen partnered with the event to provide goodies along the routes and during the post event celebration. 

“The event is focused on raising awareness and funds for Center for Hospice patients and programs,” Ashley said. “Many of the participants set up fundraising pages to enable others to contribute who did not ride or walk.”

Trek Bicycle Store Granger was the event’s presenting sponsor, alongside other sponsors that included the Ruth M. Hillebrand Center for Compassionate Care in Medicine, INSERV, Holy Cross College; among several others. There was also a post-event party for all participants hosted in Center for Hospice Care's scenic backyard.

Steve Peterson, owner of Trek Bicycle Store Granger was excited to partner with Center for Hospice Care this year. 

"Center for Hospice Care took wonderful care of my mother, and I have been a longtime participant in the event," Peterson said. "Being the presenting sponsor was a unique opportunity to support Center for Hospice Care in a new way, and to raise awareness of my Granger store." 

“We do a number of fundraising activities each year, and this is one of our major fundraising events,” Mike Wargo, Chief Operating Officer of the Hospice Foundation.  “It would be very difficult for us to provide the funding to support our programs without events such as these.”

The fundraiser was a big success largely because of the turnout, new location and combined walking/biking events. The generous support from sponsors and participants  helps Center for Hospice Care and the Hospice Foundation contribute to their community by providing a multitude of compassionate services outlets for their patients and families. If you are interested in donating to this event, or want to learn more, visit https://foundationforhospice.org/bike/.