Float For Life

5th Annual Float For Life - Gaston’s White River Resort, December 4

     The Float for Life Team will be leaving Gaston’s Resort on Thursday, December 4, 2008.  The Float is 418 miles down the White River to the Mississippi River. 

     How Float for Life Came to Be:  Five years ago on December 4th of 2004, three local men whose lives had been touched by Hospice of the Ozarks set out on a journey.  The journey led them 418 miles down the White River from Bull Shoals Dam all the way to the Mississippi River.  They endured 5 days and 4 nights of freezing rain, snow and bitter cold.  Though weather conditions were harsh, the date had special meaning to one man, Fred ‘Sonny’ Grueber.  Hospice had made it possible for Sonny to keep a promise to his wife, Sheila, that she might stay at home during her illness.  Sheila passed away December 4th, 1998.

     Robbie Banasiak and Ray Novak shared Sonny’s goal of raising enough money to endow a room at Hospice House, which was then still in the planning.  Together their dream was realized with three more successful adventures for Hospice.

     This year on December 4th, the same three men will once again set forth on a journey, but only two men will return.  Sonny passed away last Christmas day in peace at Hospice House in the room he helped sponsor.  On this, his final journey, his wish will be fulfilled.  His ashes will be spread into the Mississippi and he will forever continue his dream of the Float For Life.

     This year’s mission is to create a fund to help patients and their families with the rising costs of patient care.  Hospice of the Ozarks offers a team of caregivers to take care of the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the terminally ill, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

     Last year’s Float For Life team consisted of 9 members, both on the water, and on the road.  For the first time, these dedicated men and women are inviting the entire community to join in the dream.

     The crew will launch their john boats at daybreak on December 4th at Gaston’s White River Resort.  Coffee and donuts will be provided.  Please come and give them your support.

     To make a donation to Hospice in honor of Float For Life, please contact Hospice of the Ozarks at 870-508-1771.

     To volunteer on the Float For Life team, please call Ray Novak at 870-656-1150.

     To read more about the Annual Float For Life go to http://bullshoalsbeacon.com/category/float-for-life/.