One of the events of the year in Montrose, this year’s HopeWest gala was a success, according to HopeWest Montrose Program Director Kelly Thompson.

Since COVID restrictions limited the number of people who could attend the event in the past, HopeWest has expanded to hosting the same gala on two separate nights. The same happened at this year’s event, and HopeWest sold out both nights, March 15 and 16.

This year, the West Slope-based nonprofit hospice organization planned an ancient Egyptian theme, with Mediterranean food, Egyptian decor and more. Thompson said this was one of the best galas to date.

The goal is to raise $100,000 annually, as this is the biggest fundraising event for the nonprofit. Thompson said they haven’t calculated their numbers yet but hope they hit that goal again this year.

“I want to express my profound gratitude to this community, who is unbelievably generous and realizes the value of investing in a nonprofit hospice,” Thompson said. “There are hardly any nonprofit hospices like us anymore, and we don’t answer to investors who are wanting a return on the dollar. We answer to our community members.”

HopeWest Hospice has been around 30 years, and this year’s was the 27th annual gala held here.

In addition to providing hospice and palliative care, HopeWest also deals with grieving families and children. Thompson expressed that the organization’s group with children may be the most important work they do.

In 2023, HopeWest served just shy of 350 patients in hospice and is currently averaging 104-108 patients on any given day.

The nonprofit also served 46 in palliative care, 170 children navigating grief, 129 adults in bereavement (for a total of 763 visit).

The organization had 14,717 volunteer hours logged and served 250 veterans.

Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.