MedCentral Hospice celebrated community and caring at A Midsummer’s Night Friday night. It was an evening of elegance, dining, and fundraising. But more than that, it was evening that celebrated the spirit of caring. Ernest “Ernie” Hardwick and Rick Taylor were special honorees who embody the kind of caring to which hospice is dedicated.
Hospice steering committee’s Marte Griffeth thanked volunteers, everyone who donated to the live and silent auction, honorary chair Marilou Schwan, and staff members.
“MedCentral is an incredible health system and we have many strengths,” said Dave Eichinger, president of the MedCentral board, “It is an honor to be involved with 2,400 employees… MedCentral will become part of OhioHealth System and will be the third largest hospital in their system. We hope to complete that by year end.”
“Tonight is about caring,” Griffeth said as she proceeded to recognize the evening’s honorees.
She first recognized Grand Honorary Chair Frank Russo.
“He is involved with numerous community organizations,” said Griffeth, “Frank is magic. Whenever I need something, Frank just appears and then he gets things done. He sold over 150 $50 tickets in three months [for the evening’s fundraiser]. Frank is a great part of MedCentral’s history.”
Russo began with thanking his wife Polly Russo. He proceeded to explain that he started working for MedCentral in the billing department and saw that people had needs: clothing, help with utility bills, and support.
“This began the Needy Family Program. There are so many needs,” Russo said. He added, “MedCentral strives to make each patient’s journey pleasant. We are fortunate to have excellent nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers.”
Hardwick received the 2013 Ultimate Caregiver Award. Griffeth described him as someone who “shows bravery, loyalty and courage, proceeding to describe how he cared for his wife for decades. Dolly Hardwick was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and then Alzheimer’s Disease.
“He cared for her for over two decades. He was referred to as an angel. When I met him, I knew I was looking at an angel,” she said.
Hardwick said, “There were a lot of people who helped me care for my wife…When you’re taking care of someone who has a degenerative disease, at MedCentral there’s always a nurse you can talk to.”
As his wife’s diseases progressed, Hardwick first reached out to their family. Then he and his wife moved to Primrose. Finally, he called hospice.
“They are the most caring professional people you’ll ever find. This benefit helps them do a little bit more. Every one of them is tops,” stated Hardwick.
Rick Taylor received the Ralph Phillips Caring Spirit Award. Griffeth noted, “Rick was one of the founder’s of Richland Economic Development Group (RCDG). He’s an innovator. He wants to know how it works and why.”
Taylor was the first president of RCDG, numerous boards, and a longtime supporter of the Renaissance Theatre.
Griffeth described him as committed to economic development, a Mansfielder, and someone who “has a stake in the community.”
“I’m really standing here for my father,” stated Taylor, “He’s the patriarch of the family. I want to thank all of Jay Industries. I really enjoy working in the shop moving equipment. Like Ralph Phillips, I’m kind of a putterer. I get to do things most business owners don’t get to do. I like going out and getting my hands dirty.”
He added, “Mansfield is where I spent my entire life. Mansfield is a wonderful place. We do have so much to be thankful for.”
Guest at the event were treated to a surprise. Random people mingling in the room began singing and coverged on the dance floor with a preview of a number from Les Miserables. Following the performance, bidding began for the live auction.
Among the silent and live auctions was one living donation, a mixed terrier named Treea. She was hand and voice trained and was up-to-date with her vaccinations and donated by the Richland County Correctional Institute.
She was warmly received by guests as she mingled with her handler prior to the event, but John Marvar of Richland County First Call 211 didn’t plan to take her home. When she was the first item in the live auction, he found himself bidding and won her for $500.
“There was a little impulse involved here,” he said, “I wasn’t prepared to buy a dog.” But he didn’t seem to regret the decision either. He said he hasn’t had a dog for a long time but he immediately displayed affection for the little dog.
