CHP holds annual Beacon of Hope event

Van Wert CHP information

Community Health Professionals’ 16th annual Hospice “Beacon of Hope” dinner and auction was held Thursday evening at Willow Bend Country Club, and a capacity crowd of more than 200 was on hand to support the local non-profit hospice program.

The family of Glenn D. Gehres thanked the CHP staff for its care and support throughout Glenn’s illness and eventual passing at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center at age 54.

Chelle Gehres, Glenn’s widow, presented a lighthouse to be displayed at the hospice center to symbolize the hope, comfort and support of hospice.

The auction, conducted by Bob Gamble and emceed by Rick Small, raised thousands of dollars for CHP’s patient care fund. A 20-gauge shotgun and pheasant hunt package auctioned off in memory of Gehres, an avid hunter, brought $2,000. Local hunting groups, former co-workers and friends of Gehres were in attendance, including D.D. Strickler, who was asked to auction off the last item.

Custom Assembly of Haviland, Elmco Engineering and Moose Lodge 1320 in Van Wert were recognized as Friends of Hospice for their continued support of the dinner/auction event.

The $500 raffle winner was Monica Davis.