By Sarah Duenas for Hospice of Santa Barbara | October 3, 2019 | 9:00 a.m.

Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) raised $178,000 at its recent 7th Annual Heroes of Hospice of Santa Barbara luncheon at Biltmores Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club.

Every year HSB honors the volunteers and supporters who continue to makeHSB's mission possible. Each of this years Heroes of Hospice play a vital role in providing care for anyone experiencing the impact of serious illness or grieving the death of a loved one, all at no cost.

The event, attended by 340 guests, featured an auction, guests and speakers, and a video about the journey of cancer survivor Manuel Figueroa. Guest speaker District Attorney Joyce Dudley gave a moving testimonial about the power of HSB's bereavement counseling program.

This year's Heroes of Hospice honorees were:

Legacy Award: James S. Bower FoundationThe James S. Bower Foundation creates a better future by making grants to partners who share the belief that a healthier world can be fostered through compassionate action and social change. Its goals include creating change in educational, developmental and health processes for infants, children, youth and seniors. The foundations strategic, purpose-driven and outcome-oriented grant making also makes change in environmental conditions, social awareness and human consciousness.

The foundation is committed to reducing physical, emotional, spiritual and social pain in the face of death. Its grants help increase the number of people able to experience an enhanced state of wellbeing at the end of life, characterized as a state of peace, enlightenment or acceptance of ones death.

The foundation recognizes that the unique challenges in the end-of-life process are often overwhelming for the dying, their families, friends and the larger community.Partnership Award: Suzanne GrimmeseyAs chief quality care and strategy officer for the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness, Grimmesey has led the multi-agency Community Wellness Team that formed following the Thomas Fire and ensuing debris flow. The team, made up of 13 agencies, including HSB, collaborates to help the community heal and build resiliency.

The partnership allowed HSB to connect with community members at town hall meetings, schools, businesses, and in the field. The team was instrumental in bringing services to families having lost homes or loved ones. Grimmesey's inspiration for this work is the firm belief in the resiliency gained through helping individuals and communities cope with disaster and traumatic events.Volunteer Award: No One Dies Alone ProgramHSB and VNA Health collaborate for the unique No One Dies Alone (NODA) program, which brings together trained volunteers and patients to make sure nobody is alone in their final hours. While some who are dying in our community have no family or friends nearby, NODA volunteers are there to offer a compassionate presence and their heartfelt intentions.

It takes a special kind of person to fill the NODA volunteer role. Sharing someones end-of-life experience can be moving and powerful. Volunteers may simply choose to sit in silence with the patient, letting them know they are there from time to time with voice and touch. They may do simple things like placing a cool cloth on the patients forehead, using swabs if the patients lips seem dry, and holding a hand or arm as a loving presence.

Hospice of Santa Barbara provides professional counseling, support groups, and patient care services free of charge to individuals and families who are grieving the death of a loved one or experiencing the impact of a life-threatening illness. Hospice of Santa Barbara provides counseling in its offices and on 14 local junior and high school campuses to children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one.

For more information, including volunteer opportunities, call 805-563-8820 or visit http://www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org.

Sarah Duenas for Hospice of Santa Barbara.

The rest is here:

Hospice of Santa Barbara Honors Its Heroes And Raises $178000 - Noozhawk