Springfield Standard

Citizens Memorial Hospice will hold its annual Lights of Remembrance event on Monday, Nov. 10, from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kerry and Synda Douglas Medical Center in Bolivar.

The event, organized by CMH Hospice staff, marks the beginning of the holiday season with an evening focused on reflection and celebration. Musical performances are scheduled by the Bolivar High School Chamber Choir under the direction of Morgan DeClue, as well as Ron George.

During the program, CMH Hospice will present several awards to recognize individuals and organizations for their contributions to hospice care. The Hathaway-Peterman Funeral Home and Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home will receive the CMH Hospice Light Award. CMH Long-Term Care is set to be honored with the CMH Hospice Partner in Care Award. Kristopher Kaufmann will be given the CMH Sue McCoy Hospice Service Award, while Grayson, a therapy dog known as "the Hospice Dog," will receive the CMH Gentle Guardian Award.

“These awards celebrate the people and organizations who make our mission in hospice possible,” said Valerie Noblitt, director of Home Care Services for Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation. “Their kindness, generosity and partnership bring light and comfort to families when it’s needed most.”

The public is invited to attend this event, where refreshments will be provided.

Lights of Remembrance serves both as a memorial for loved ones who have passed away and as support for CMH Hospice’s ongoing mission to help patients live comfortably while maintaining dignity during end-of-life care.

Community members can donate to the Lights of Remembrance program in honor or memory of friends and family members. These donations help ensure that terminally ill patients in the area continue receiving comprehensive physical, emotional, spiritual, and bereavement care.

CMH Hospice caregivers focus on maximizing patient comfort at home or in homelike settings and offer continued support through bereavement services after a patient's death.