In 2011, “Cruisin Zeake” and Barb Chandler created Car Cruisers for Hospice and began to raise funds and awareness for Hospice of Northwest Ohio. The first year, with a goal of $5,000, they raised $1,756. The second year, they raised $1,804. By the third year, Zeake and the Car Cruisers had become advocates for hospice care in our community. By sharing stories of friends and family experiences they were breaking down myths and encouraging people to seek the compassionate care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio whenever appropriate. As these stories were shared at car shows and cruise-ins, support among the hot rod community continued to grow. The Car Cruisers raised $3,022 in the third year! They had reached and surpassed their original goal of $5,000 and set their sights on a seemingly impossible $25,000! By 2022, Zeake and the Car Cruisers had raised more than $72,000 and once again reset their goal to an astounding $100,000.
Funds raised by the Car Cruisers have been used to enhance the gardens and grounds at our Hospice Centers, providing a soothing, pastoral space for our patients and families. They have provided funding for our Sincera palliative care service, which works to reduce pain and suffering among patients not eligible for hospice. They have funded our bereavement services, providing caring comfort to the grieving in our community before, during and after the loss of a loved one. They have helped us educate caregivers, family members and professionals on providing the best possible care. They have provided massage therapy for hospice patients. They have provided funds which enabled volunteers to create memory bears for family members, or special keepsakes and comfort pillows. They have helped fund our We Honor Veterans program. They have helped us maintain our Hospice Centers and supported care for patients who needed hospice care but were unable to pay. Funds have helped us provide our Path Finders Camp which assists kids in our community resolve and understand their grief. Their advocacy has encouraged patients to access hospice earlier, resulting in better care and reduced suffering.’
We are extremely grateful for the sustained and impactful support, and advocacy Car Cruisers for Hospice has provided to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.