Walk of Wreaths for Hospice Care

 

If you're a central Iowan, have you been holiday shopping in Valley Junction lately? Some 80 hand-decorated wreaths now are in shop windows, and nearly 70 are eligible for silent auction bids to benefit Hospice of Central Iowa, an organization that is near and dear to my heart. The rest of the festive wreaths will find holiday homes during a live auction taking place on December 17, 7 to 8 p.m. in Railroad Park (between 4th and 5th Streets on Railroad Avenue in downtown West Des Moines). There will be carriage rides, hot cider and caroling, and that evening is the final Valley Junction holiday open house (5 to 9 p.m.)

The Valley Junction Foundation's first Walk of Wreaths honors woman business owner Caren Sturm, owner of The Lagniappe on 5th Street and one of the Foundation's longtime leaders. Caren, who died this summer, was a driving force in the art community and in Valley Junction. A respected, beautiful and passionate woman, Caren brought people together and gave artists a stunning location to showcase their creations. She also was a patient of Hospice of Central Iowa, and I was blessed to call her a friend for many years.

So stop in at Valley Junction in the next few days and look over the wonderful wreaths. Consider putting in a silent bid, or join us on December 17 for festivities and live auction bidding.