Fairbanks Hospice plant sale benefits people in their final season in more ways than one

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Spring is here and support of the community was in full bloom Saturday morning for the Annual Hospice Plant Sale. For 40 years, Foundation Health Partners’ Green House has held this event to benefit patients’ extra needs for comfort in what the organization calls their “Final Season of Life”.

The downtown Fairbanks Green House has been in preparation by volunteers since late March according to Development Manager, Marissa Sharrah. They sold many different kinds of plants including tomatoes and apple trees. The plant sale has become a way for new and old gardeners to contribute planting tips with each other to help those in their final days.

The funds raised by the event support hospice patients with needs that are not covered by Medicaid or insurance. In years past, utility bills coverage for patients who wish to continue their hospice services from home has been one of the many benefits from this event.

A long-time volunteer, Althea St. Martin shared the many ways funds are used. “Anyone that is in hospice care can apply through their caseworker. Whether they need a new porch step because their steps are old, whether they need a window put in, whether they need a ramp, or even if they’ve got a pet and they’re not able to take it to the vet, the volunteers will actually take that pet to the vet and pay for those services so that even their pets will remain healthy while they’re in hospice service.”

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