Hospice Celebrates 30 Years of Oktoberfest

Family-friendly Annual Event Raises Funds for Local Programs

Friends of Hospice (FOH) presented its 30th Annual Oktoberfest, a benefit for Hospice of Santa Cruz County (HSCC). The event took place Sunday, October 6, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge.

There’s something for everyone at Oktoberfest: food, music, a variety of auctions and other items for sale, and a drawing for cash prizes. Silent and live auctions include vacations and weekend get-aways to San Francisco, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe and Palm Desert; a fantastic TiVo package; fine wines from local wineries; original artwork by local artisans; tickets to sports events and area shows; and gift certificates to the area’s best restaurants and businesses in town.

Search for gently-used treasures, including vintage and repurposed items, in the always-popular Cash & Carry section, which will also include a special array of holiday items. There is also a large garden selection of flowering plants and ornamentals. This is a wonderful opportunity to shop for gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and the holidays.

The Silent Auctions run from noon until 3:30 p.m. The Live Auction begins at 2:45 p.m. The cash drawing takes place after 3:30 p.m., and one need not be present to win. A traditional Oktoberfest lunch is available for purchase from 12 to 2:30 p.m. Admission is free.

All proceeds support programs of Hospice of Santa Cruz County, the county’s only non-profit hospice service. Serving the community for 35 years, HSCC provides compassionate medical, emotional and spiritual care to patients and their families facing the end of life, and transitional care services for those not yet ready for hospice care. Grief counseling for adults and children is available to family members, caregivers and anyone in our community who has experienced the loss of a loved one.

HSCC receives funding from Medicare and most private insurance providers to cover the cost of its core hospice care program. However, the organization relies on foundation and community support to raise $1 million annually to cover the costs of community grief support, hospice care for uninsured patients, end-of-life educational and outreach efforts and the We Honor Veterans program.

Friends of Hospice of Santa Cruz County is an all-volunteer group that has served the community since 1984. Each year, FOH raises approximately $125,000. To date, the Friends have raised more than $2 million to ensure that the services of Hospice of Santa Cruz County are available to all county residents. All community members are welcome to join FOH.

The 30th Annual Oktoberfest Sunday, October 6, 12 noon – 4 p.m. FREE ADMISSION Oktoberfest Lunch: 12 noon – 2:30 p.m. Silent Auction: 12 noon – 3:30 p.m. Live Auction: 2:45 p.m. All proceeds benefit Hospice of Santa Cruz County.

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Santa Cruz Elks Lodge 150 Jewell Street (just off of Graham Hill Road) www.hospicesantacruz.org • (831) 430-3000