Selma’s Wiregrass Hospice, located at 200 Central Park Place,

is going all out for National Hospice month &045; from a blizzard of signs around town to special recognition of individuals, groups and institutions that are part of its network.

Hospice is a program designed to enable as comfortable transition as possible from life to death for the terminally ill.

According to Beth Williamson, one of two education staff members for Wiregrass, the main purpose of these events is to raise the level of consciousness about hospice care. Williamson said that for every person receiving hospice there are two others who are eligible &045; but don’t get help.

According to Williamson, 500 signs were ordered and most have been distributed. Monday afternoon’s open house &045;

complete with Radio Station WDXX Dixie 100 on hand between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. offering access to the airwaves, together with refreshments, and a competition for children 12 and under with the prize of a Suzuki Bike &045; attracted between 50 and 100 staff members, volunteers, patients and caregivers. Also available were blood pressure checks and glucose screening. Corporate sponsors for the afternoon of fun and festivities included the radio station, Domino’s Pizza, Lee Suzuki

and Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company. Williamson reported that somewhere between 50 and 100 came out for the event.

In addition to the signs and the open house, there was the signing of a proclamation by Mayor James Perkins Jr. on Tuesday, a Wiregrass-sponsored banquet for staff and volunteers at the St. James Hotel Wednesday evening, an interview of Williamson on Montgomery WSFA TV Channel 12 on Thursday and homemade desserts being provided to staff and nurses at Vaughan Regional Medical Center over the lunch hour on Fridays in November. This coming week Williamson will be on Montgomery WKAA Channel 8.

Williamson also said that refreshments will be provided to staff and nurses in Selma’s three nursing homes on Tuesdays during the month of

November.

Williamson said that Wiregrass was honoring everyone in their program and partner institutions who work together to provide high-quality hospice care.

For further information, call (334) 875-2120.