Help Build This Home With Children's Lighthouse And The Harmon Killebrew Hospice Home For Kids Fund

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Katie Lindenfelser, Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota
Katie@ChildrensLighthouseMn.org • 763-587-1152

Watch an excerpt on WCCO and Kare 11

Home Plate: Building the Vision Gala, Friday, Jan. 17, 2014

January 7, 2014 -- Minneapolis, Minnesota -- Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota, a non-profit dedicated to building the Midwest’s first independent youth respite center and hospice, and the Harmon Killebrew Hospice Home for Kids Fund will host the second annual Home Plate: Building the Vision Gala at the Hyatt Regency (1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis) on Friday, Jan. 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The event, featuring emcees Brian “B.T.” Turner and Ron Coomer from 96.3 KTWIN, includes dinner, silent and live auctions, performances by G.B. Leighton and Ashland Productions, and reflections on Killebrew’s legacy. Twins greats Paul Molitor, Jack Morris and Tony Oliva as well as Nita Killebrew will be in attendance to greet supporters.

Fans of Harmon and supporters of Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota are invited to honor his wishes to help children by doing one of his favorite things – celebrating with friends. For more information about the gala visit ChildrensLighthouseMN.org/Killebrew where you can purchase tickets or call Katie at 763-587-1152.

Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota will provide short respite breaks for children with life-limiting conditions and families, and an option beyond the hospital or home environment for compassionate hospice care at the end-of-life. CLM will be located in the Twin Cities and serve children and families residing in the upper Midwest. When completed, it will be only the fourth home of its kind in the entire U.S.

The Harmon Killebrew Hospice Home for Kids Fund merges the passions and legacies of Harmon and his wife, Nita, for helping both children and hospice care. During his retirement years, Harmon was an active spokesperson for the hospice movement and embraced the role it plays at one of the most critical times we face in life. He also experienced the value of hospice care himself.

Harmon’s family and friends (including Nita, Rod and Rhonda Carew, Carol LeDoux, Paul and Destini Molitor, Jack and Jennifer Morris, Tony and Gordette Oliva, Clyde Doepner, Jim Hays and Kevin Smith) have created this fund to help build the Midwest’s first hospice and respite home serving children with a shortened life-expectancy and their families.

Children aged 21 years old and younger will be able to stay and receive palliative care at Children's Lighthouse in one of eight bedrooms for respite stays and as a sacred place at the end-of-life. The home will also offer suites so family members may remain close. In additional, they’ll have the opportunity to develop meaningful and supportive relationships with others with similar experiences.

Skilled professionals will be on-site to provide daily care, meals, pain and symptom control, and therapies that include music, art and hydrotherapy.In addition, guests will have the opportunity to develop meaningful and supportive relationships with other families with similar experiences.

About Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota

The mission of Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota is to offer child and family-focused respite and end-of-life care to children with a shortened life-expectancy. Children's hospice and respite care homes around the world are primarily funded by community philanthropy and Children's Lighthouse believes that Minnesotans have the means to make this home a reality for over 9,000 children and families in Minnesota. Children's Lighthouse is a non-profit 501(c)(3). www.ChildrensLighthouseMn.org