21st year for Sterling Elks Club to host event

STERLING, Colo. -- The Sterling Elks Lodge was crowded with supporters of the Hospice of the Plains hog roast February 3.

The event is one of the primary fundraisers for the organization, according to Tiffany Storch, CEO/Administrator of Hospice of the Plains.

"This is our fundraiser that actually helps us to kind of bridge the gap for those items that are non-reimbursable. The funds from tonight toward the bereavement program, the volunteer program, to cover pharmaceuticals, and of course durable medical equipment like hospital beds, oxygen, stuff like that that we're not reimbursed for," Storch said at the February 3 event.

Hospice of the Plains spent 2023 developing services in northeast Colorado and the Nebraska Panhandle.

"We actually just got through a successful accreditation in Nebraska. We opened our office at 645 Osage St. in Sidney, Neb. So, we're servicing the southwestern Panhandle of Nebraska, which is super exciting. For those of us from Sterling, we have you know friends and family  right over the state line, so it's really important for us to offer those services," she said.

Hospice is an in-home end of life care service. Services vary from social service worker or spiritual counselor meeting with the family to medical services.

"Hospice is an in-home type of health care. It's delivered wherever the patient calls home. We do have contracts with skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and of course the residential. So we go into the home to provide clinical care, help them to avoid those hospital trips and clinic trips," Storch said.

In Sidney, Hospice of the Plains can be reached at 308-203-4065. Hospice can also be called at their Sterling (970-526-7901) or Wray (970-332-4116) offices.