Ribfest Organizers Honored with ‘Spirit of Caring Award’

Beloit Regional Hospice’s ‘12^th Annual Doves and Diamonds: Celebrate Hospice Gala’ continued the event’s long tradition of year over year growth. The beautifully renovated Eclipse Center was transformed into a glittering wonderland as the greater Beloit Community came together to raise funds for this deserving organization. “Beloit Regional Hospice has been serving those with a serious illness and their families in this Community for nearly 35 years, and that is due to the tremendous support of many individuals and businesses in the Stateline area,” said Director Natasha Weberg.

Beloit Regional Hospice and Beloit Health System staff and volunteers were pleased to present the ‘Spirit of Caring Award’ to the organizers of another Community fundraiser, the ‘Beloit Ribfest,’ this year. Ribfest had its seventh annual competition this year, which included 18 teams of cooks, a mouthwatering rib and sauce competition and an estimated nearly 500 attendees. The event raises money for two organizations in the Community, the Beloit Domestic Violence Survivor’s Center and Beloit Regional Hospice. This year the organizer’s presented each organization with a check for over $7,000.  Therefore, Beloit Regional Hospice chose the organizers of this event for this year’s ‘Spirit of Caring Award.’

The organizers included Ribfest founder and master of ceremonies Brian Mark of Brian Mark Funeral Homes, Bill Lock and Jim Agate of the Rock Bar and Grill, Tom Finley of Finley Buick GMC, Bill Flanagan of Beloit College and the Beloit Daily News. The support of the Community in making the event a success is tremendous. From the many organizations who sponsored the event to the members of the Doves and Diamonds Committee who spent countless hours planning and soliciting silent auction items, the event could not exist without the Community.

Beloit Regional Hospice presents the ‘Spirit of Caring Award’ to a member or members of the Community who have dedicated themselves to furthering the hospice philosophy and ensuring that all those facing the end of life in the Stateline area have access to the care they need and deserve. For almost 35 years Beloit Regional Hospice staff and volunteers have been leaders in quality and compassion. They seek to serve all who want and need their care.  The 2016 merger of Beloit Regional Hospice with Beloit Health System allows for more access and a better continuum of care for the Stateline community. Through teamwork they advocate for appropriate care while respecting the right of patients to choose their journey, and above all hope is always embraced at the end of life. The non-profit organization’s mission is, “To help make each moment of remaining life as full and comfortable as possible,” for terminally ill individuals and their families in the counties of Boone, Green, Rock, Walworth, Stephenson, McHenry and Winnebago.

You can visit their website at www.beloitregionalhospice.com. Become a BRH fan on Facebook or receive their newsletter electronically by emailing [email protected]

SUBMITTED PHOTO – The Clinton Topper.
From left – Adena Dutter, Jim Agate, Bill Flanagan, Bill Lock, Erica Pennington, Matt Finley, Brian Mark and Natasha Weberg.

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