Hernando Hospice showcases award-winning costumes at its Annual Gala

Hernando Hospice showcases award-winning costumes at its Annual Gala

By Jack Pagano
Jack@thetampapost.com

 

Spring Hill, Fl.  Death comes for all of us eventually. When those final days draw near, HPH Hospice, an affiliate of Chapters Health Systems, in Spring Hill, Florida, steps in with compassion, care, and a steadfast belief that every person deserves dignity at the end of life. The nonprofit provides support in assisted‑care facilities and brings a philosophy rooted in comfort, respect, and humanity.

Founding member Sue Simone has witnessed that mission firsthand since the organization’s earliest days. She understands deeply what the Circle of Women—now known as the HPH Hospice Circle of Giving—means to the community. Having lost two husbands, she experienced the hospice’s support during her own periods of grief.

In a soft, steady voice, she explains, “Hospice is not about dying. It’s about how you choose to live while you’re in the process of dying or near death. Dying can be painful, difficult, and hard on both the person and the family.”

 

A room at the HPH Hospice, an affiliate of Chapters Health Systems, in Spring Hill, Florida. March 11, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Last year, the nonprofit raised more than $100,000, and this year they’re aiming even higher. That ambition was on full display at the 4th Annual Gala at The Wellington—a spacious venue where nearly 200 guests showcased their artistic talents. The theme of the evening was Books, and each table was transformed to represent a different literary world. Alice in Wonderland, The Big Top Circus, Dr. Seuss, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas were just a few of the imaginative creations brought to life.

 

Innovative and creative costumes were on full display at the 4^th annual HPH gala at the Wellington. The Mad Hatter came in a close second as the best costume of the night. March 13, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

A lot of painstaking work went into making each table stand out. The creativity on display echoed the heart of the nonprofit itself—bringing comfort, dignity, and companionship to those nearing the end of life, ensuring no one faces that journey alone.

 

Team Alice in Wonderland took home top honors at the 4th Annual HPH Gala at The Wellington. March 13, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Eric Clark, HPH Hospice Philanthropy Director and Master of Ceremonies, guided the evening with warmth and energy. “It’s a full circle of life for the HPH Hospice Circle of Giving,” he said. “Our message is to showcase that this nonprofit cares about the community, cares about the people, and cares about bringing some joy when there might be very little joy.”

 

All smiles at the 4^th annual HPH gala at the Wellington in Spring Hill, Florida. March 13, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

The night wasn’t just about costumes or décor. It was a celebration of purpose. Every table, every volunteer, every donor represented a commitment to easing the most difficult moments a family can face.

The HPH Hospice Circle of Giving continues to expand its reach, offering support not only to patients but to loved ones who often feel overwhelmed and alone during the final chapter of life.

As the gala carried on—with laughter, applause, and the occasional tear—it became clear that this wasn’t simply a fundraiser. It was a reminder of what compassion looks like when a community chooses to show up for one another.  And for Hernando HPH Hospice, that mission remains unwavering: to ensure that every person’s final days are filled with comfort, dignity, and the reassurance that they are not forgotten.

Clark emphasized that the organization’s mission is rooted in compassion—building, strengthening, empowering, and encouraging. When someone is nearing the end of life, the nonprofit focuses on providing comfort and companionship, ensuring no one faces that journey alone.

 

The sign-in and donation table at the 4^th annual HPH gala at the Wellington in Spring Hill, Florida. March 13, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

 

More costumes were unveiled at the 4^th annual HPH gala at the Wellington in Spring Hill, Florida. March 13, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

As the evening unfolded, guests moved from table to table, admiring the craftsmanship and creativity that volunteers had poured into every detail. Laughter mixed with quiet moments of reflection—an emotional balance that mirrors the very work the nonprofit does each day.

For many attendees, the gala wasn’t just entertainment; it was a reminder of the profound impact hospice care has on families in their most vulnerable moments.

The HPH Hospice Circle of Giving, once a small group of dedicated women, has grown into a powerful force of compassion in Hernando County. Their fundraising efforts help provide essential services—from grief counseling to bedside comfort—ensuring that no one spends their final days in fear or isolation. The money raised at the gala directly supports these programs, allowing the nonprofit to continue offering care regardless of a patient’s financial situation.

 

More costumes at the 4^th annual HPH gala at the Wellington in Spring Hill, Florida. March 13, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Volunteers, donors, and staff all echoed the same sentiment throughout the night: hospice work is not about death, but about honoring life. It’s about creating space for peace, closure, and connection. It’s about giving families the chance to say goodbye with dignity. And it’s about reminding the community that compassion is a responsibility we all share.

By the end of the gala, the room felt lighter—not because the topic of death had been avoided, but because it had been embraced with honesty, grace, and even joy. The costumes, the books, the laughter, the tears—they all came together to form a single message: every life deserves to end with dignity, and every family deserves support along the way.

For HPH Hospice and the HPH Hospice Circle of Giving, that mission continues long after the decorations come down

 

If you would like to help support HPH Hospice, please donate here https://www.chaptershealth.org/chapters-health-foundation/hph-hospice-donation/

 

Jack Pagano is a retired Army field grade officer with many decades of Information Operations experience and currently working remotely in the USA as COO/Strategist for one of Afghanistan’s biggest Radio/TV networks.  His current mission is getting out Afghan journalists he trained, and mentored who are stuck, stranded under the Sharia-driven Taliban.