Decorating is done, hospice Gala set for Dec. 5

The Festival of Trees is taking place on Dec. 5.

Nathan Adelson Hospice will hold its 10th annual Festival of Trees at 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5 at Mountain Falls Golf Club. Tickets are $75 per person.

The evening includes a sit-down dinner with chicken or roast beef as the main entree and all the trimmings on the side and a no-host bar will be available.

Raffles throughout the evening include several “big deals,” such as Jason Shirriff Neon Boulevard artwork, Chihuly booksets and golf packages. Gift cards in amounts of $50 to $100 have been donated from restaurants both here and in Las Vegas. Other gift cards will help with the Christmas shopping. Other items such as gift baskets and jewelry will also be up for grabs.

The live auction, with the ever-popular auctioneer, Ski Censke, will be bids for the decorated Christmas trees and wreaths decorated by the businesses and individuals sponsoring them. Decorating day was last weekend and the four trees and 14 wreaths are on display in the Mountain Falls Grill Room.

The event is NAH’s largest and most vital Pahrump fundraiser. The proceeds support its programs and services. Participation in sponsorship comes from the areas NAH serves, which includes Pahrump, Crystal and Amargosa Valley.

Individuals, businesses and organizations donate the funds to purchase the trees, wreaths and decorations and then decorate them for the event.

Stephanie Forbes, development manager for NAH said, “As the need for hospice and home-care services continues to grow in Pahrump, we are fortunate to have the generous help of the community to assist in funding our programs.”

She added, “NAH provides quality care and programs. We follow our mission that no one should end the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain.”

She said this event raises between $7,500 and $10,000 each year.

NAH was founded over 35 years ago following the death of Nathan Adelson, a hospital administrator, who cared deeply for his patients and employees. Following a long painful bout with stomach cancer, Adelson passed away. Family and friends close to him realized the need for health care specific to pain management and responded to the need.

NAH began providing home care hospice service in Southern Nevada in 1978. Its mission was stated to offer patients and their loved ones comprehensive end-of-life care.

NAH has been a trusted partner in hospice care and is the largest non-profit hospice in Southern Nevada. It cares for an average of 300 patients daily.

In 1983 the hospice opened an in-patient care facility in Las Vegas. The facility serves those who have no home or need care not possible in their home. When required the hospice transfers the patient to the facility from anywhere within its service area.

NAH provides comprehensive care to all in the community regardless of their ability to pay. In 2013, NAH provided hospice care for 3,086 patients. The underserved, within that number, are those who would not have been able to receive hospice care in any other way. Reasons include lack of insurance, working poor with little or no insurance or inability to pay out-of-pocket for care.

Each year NAH spends one million dollars for unbilled patient care.

Mountain Falls Golf Club is located at 5001 S. Clubhouse Dr. For tickets call Stephanie at 702-938-3910.

Contact Creag Rowland by emailing creag.pvtimes@gmail.com.