Staff writer
St. Luke Hospital Foundation is planning a fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the community building in Marion. Money raised will be used for ongoing needs at St. Luke Hospital and Living Center.
Entertainment will be provided by Sisters of Hope, a group of six women ranging from age 29 to 82. The current group is made up of five from Hope, including the Lutheran minister’s wife, and one from Abilene. Dressed like traditional nuns, their programs include songs with action and humor. Tap dancing, a guitar, and a harmonica are part of their performance.
Ramona Goracke heads up the group. She said they first performed on Sept. 9, 2007, at their local Catholic church during the annual Hope Festival. Invitations soon began coming for other performances, and to date the sisters have given 82 programs at many different events.
They have performed in many places throughout Kansas including the historic church in Victoria, for prisoners at the Ellsworth correctional facility, and at Manhattan and Wichita.
“We have to pick our times right,” Goracke said. “During the week, we can’t travel too far, but on the weekends we can go farther.”
Their performances last from 30 to 45 minutes. Donations will be accepted to help pay for equipment and fuel.
The women all are busy with jobs but feel they are fulfilling a need.
“We do it for people who need entertainment,” Goracke said. “It’s kind of a service.”
The fundraising event will be by donation and will include a catered meal by Melissa Bartel of Hillsboro. There also will be a silent auction.
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Oct. 15 to Roger Schroeder at roger.schroeder@slhmarion.org or call (620) 382-2177 ext. 219.
“The $1.25 million we raised earlier went for the hospital renovation,” St. Luke Foundation Board President Judy Reno said. “Now we need funds for ongoing needs such as our own sonogram machine and digital mammogram machine.”