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Alstott to Help Kick Off Hike for Hospice

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SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF

Published: October 17, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - The A Train will make another West Pasco station stop next month.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Mike Alstott will attend the first Hike for Hospice, a benefit on Saturday, Nov. 10, to raise money for Gulfside Regional Hospice.

Although on injured reserve with a neck injury this season, Alstott, one of the most popular Bucs players of all time, has remained busy, recently visiting several bereaved children at a Gulfside facility here.

Residents can "Hike with Mike" to help kick off the Nov. 10 event at its 8 a.m. registration at the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St. The 5-kilometer hike and 2.5K walk are dedicated to anyone who has lost a loved one, according to Robin Vollmer, director of development for the hospice.

Hikers are encouraged to bring along pictures of the loved ones for whom they are hiking and Gulfside will place the pictures on a memory board at the fall event.

There will also be a dove release prior to beginning the walk. All entrants will receive breakfast, lunch and a T-shirt.

Rick Samuelsen, vice president of the Trinity-based Samuelsen Builders, contributed $7,500 to make the company the lead event sponsor. Samuelsen will also ask his subcontractors to participate in this first-time fundraiser for Gulfside.

A breakfast will follow the 8 a.m. registration call. City leaders will greet guests at 8:30 a.m. The hike will start at 9 a.m.

The application fee is $35. Call Jennifer York at 727-845-5707 or go to the Hike for Hospice Web site for more information. Online registration is easy, hospice officials said in a press release.

The hiker chooses a team name and members register on his or her page. Once the hiker is registered, Gulfside will send a registration packet, helpful tips for fundraising and more information about the walk.

The participant can add a dedication as well. Entrants can even create their own Web page, which takes approximately 5 minutes, and personalize it with a picture, a welcome message, and why they decided to "Hike for Hospice."

The hospice is a nonprofit community organization providing compassionate, quality care to individuals with terminal illnesses and helping loved ones cope.

In addition to serving patients in their homes, the hospice operates a 10-bed, free-standing Hospice House in New Port Richey, a 10-bed Hospice House at Sunset Bay and an 10-bed Hospice House in Dade City.

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