The Bowl-A-Thon benefits Hospice of Hillsdale. Courtesy | Facebook  

Hospice of Hillsdale County will host its 28th Annual Bowl-A-Thon at Hillside Lanes on April 13. 

The fundraising event also features a silent auction, door prizes, and pizza.

“We do it to raise funds for our music therapy program and our other complimentary services that we provide our patients, which increases the overall quality of life,” said Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator Samantha Gordon.

The event’s title sponsor is financial company Willis Machnik. Individuals can register four- to six-person teams for $50, which covers two games, a t-shirt, shoe and lane rentals, and food and drink.

Gordon said people should participate because it supports a good cause.

“When patients sign up with us, they have six months left to live,” she said. “Yes, we’ve had some patients last for a couple of years, but we help those patients when they’re in their most vulnerable states.”

According to Executive Director Shoshanna Finegan, the organization cares for an average of 40 patients at a time, as well as their families.

“We go a 50 mile radius to take care of patients,” Finegan said. “We serve patients in their personal homes. We serve patients in facilities and in assisted living facilities as well. Wherever a patient calls home, we will see them.”

According to Finegan, the organization provides a variety of free services for its patients.

“We never send a bill to our patients,” Finegan said. “If insurance doesn’t cover that amount, or let’s say they don’t have insurance, we cover that completely.”

According to Gordon, one of their most popular programs is music therapy.

“We have had music therapy since 2015, and we have to fund that ourselves because Medicare doesn’t pay for that,” Finegan said. “Medicare also doesn’t pay for bereavement services or programs, so when we fundraise money goes  toward that as well.”

Finegan said the group also offers clergy services for patients and counseling services for anyone in the community experiencing loss.

Additionally, they provide any medical equipment, specialists, or hygiene items a patient might need.

“A lot of hospices don’t do that,” Finegan said. “We just feel that everybody that’s dying deserves to die in comfort and dignity.”

Anyone interested in registering a team for the event can do so at the Hospice of Hillsdale County website. Forms are due by March 15.