Miguel Cervantes brought the art of "Hamilton" to the Art of Hospice when he headlined the annual Circle of Life Hospice benefit gala Oct. 4 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Cervantes played the starring role in the hit musical for 2,013 performances over the course of eight years on Broadway and in Chicago. He shared with gala guests how he came to land the career-altering role, some backstage anecdotes and performed a few songs.
Miguel was joined at the hospice gala by wife Kelly, an award-winning writer, speaker and advocate, to share the hospice journey they had with their late daughter Adelaide, who had a severe form of epilepsy and died in 2019 shortly before her 4th birthday.
Kelly told gala guests she initially resisted the idea of hospice, but was convinced by their nurse that it was time and "hospice gave our family the greatest gift anyone ever gave me as a mom."
For the six weeks hospice was in their home, "when someone else was managing all of those meds, when someone else was fighting with insurance, when someone else was taking care of everything else around us, I got to be Adelaide's mom for the first time and that is the gift that hospice gives families," Kelly explained. "That time to just be with our loved ones, is so precious and it is so beautiful, and it is that hope that I felt with my daughter during those six weeks, even though I knew that her life was coming to an end, that hospice provided us."
That evening, the nonprofit organization presented the Pat Walker Commitment to Care award to Wesley Decker, Circle of Life director of physical plant operations.
The award is given to "an extraordinary individual who exemplifies the same loving spirit and commitment to care as Mrs. Pat Walker provided to her family, friends and community members." In Decker's role, he oversees the organization's facilities, hospitality services and medical equipment management.
"His 16 years of dedication to Circle of Life have ensured our hospice homes are welcoming and beautiful for families and patients, and that patients have everything they need while receiving care in their homes," said Catherine Grubbs, Circle of Life CEO.
Circle of Life's new Joey Feek Center for Home-Based Care will be opening early next year, Grubbs announced. The center is part of the $12.5 million campaign to "Expand the Circle" and will provide support for families to care for their loved ones at home.
The 28,000-square-foot building located at Goad Springs Road and Metro Place in Lowell, will serve as the hub for home-based hospice care coordination. The new facility will provide dedicated workspaces, meeting rooms, training areas and a warehouse for medical equipment, according to the website.
"It will enable our compassionate team of physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers to deliver home-based care more efficiently," the website states.
Art of Hospice sponsors included the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, Walmart, 3W Magazine, Highlands Oncology, Walker Brothers Insurance, First Horizon Bank, Robert and Carol Brooks, Lonnie and Kim Copps, Lamar and Joy Drummonds, Jerry and Cherie Moye and Don and Sarah Kendall.
For more event photos -- nwaonline.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
Cameron Patterson (from left), Madison McCoy, Devon Schader and Jana and Wesley Decker, Pat Walker Commitment to Care honoree, stand for a photo at Art of Hospice on Oct. 4 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Wesley has served Circle of Life Hospice as director of physical plant operations for 16 years. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Sarah Kendall and Matt Kendall help support Circle of Life Hospice at Art of Hospice on Oct. 4 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Lamar and Joy Drummonds (from left) and Donny Drummonds help support Circle of Life at Art of Hospice. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Lisa and Jim Blount, Art of Hospice master of ceremonies, enjoy the Circle of Life Hospice benefit on Oct. 4. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Jaclynn and Frank Johnson (from left) and Trey and Summer Coleman attend the Circle of Life benefit Oct. 4 in Bentonville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Janet and Jimm Hendren (from left) and Carol and Gary Adams help support Circle of Life Hospice on Oct. 4 in Bentonville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Johnny Mike Walker (from left); Catherine Grubbs, Circle of Life Hospice CEO; and Mandy Macke visit at the Art of Hospice benefit Oct. 4 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Johnny Mike Walker (from left); Catherine Grubbs, Circle of Life Hospice CEO; and Mandy Macke visit at the Art of Hospice benefit Oct. 4 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Sarah Kendall (left) and Betsy Phillips visit at Art of Hospice on Oct. 4 in Bentonville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
Sarah Kendall (left) and Betsy Phillips visit at Art of Hospice on Oct. 4 in Bentonville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
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