Center for Hospice Care honors Circle of Caring Award recipients Kim and Scott Welch

Center for Hospice Care celebrated its fourth annual Circle of Caring Award Dinner at Elkhart’s Lerner Theatre on Wednesday, October 28, honoring award recipients Kim and Scott Welch. Under the ornate ceiling of the Crystal Ballroom, family and friends of the Welches, community donors and sponsors, and patients of Center for Hospice Care and their families gathered for an evening dedicated to recognizing the Welches’ philanthropic efforts and the work of Center for Hospice Care.

The evening began with a cocktail hour in the Lerner Theatre’s downstairs lobby from 6 to 7 p.m. Attendees were then guided upstairs to the Crystal Ballroom for dinner.

Flower bouquets adorned the center of each table, alongside booklets dedicated to the evening’s theme, “Let’s Win.” John Mastrojohn III, president and CEO of Center for Hospice Care, discussed the theme’s meaning.

“It’s a phrase that reflects Kim and Scott’s belief that success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how many people we help along the way,” Mastrojohn said. “I can think of few ideas that align more beautifully with the mission of Center for Hospice Care. At Center for Hospice Care, everything begins with the people we have the privilege to serve.”

The honor recognizes the Welches’ longstanding commitment to giving back to the community where they grew up. Both graduated from Elkhart Memorial High School, and they have owned and operated Welch Packaging since it was founded as Elkhart Container in 1985. Through their business, they established the Make A Difference fund, a budget set aside to assist employees experiencing difficult times.

Scott Welch shared more about the fund.

“People dedicate themselves to Welch Packaging. It’s kind of old-fashioned anymore where people work at the same job, but I’ve been blessed with a lot of people that have been with us most of our journey,” Scott Welch said. “I thought this would be a way that we all can benefit from the success of the business.”

Jim Powers, a longtime friend and business tax adviser to the couple, served as master of ceremonies for the evening. He spoke about the Welches’ commitment to helping others.

“The Welches are really focused on making a difference,” Powers said. “They not only want to do well, but to actually make a difference in the communities that they are a part of with the people that they’re associated with and the organizations that they support.”

The Welches began working with Center for Hospice Care in 2013, after the nonprofit cared for Scott Welch’s father, Joel Welch. Joel preferred to receive care at home, and Center for Hospice Care helped provide it. The experience deeply affected the Welches, prompting them to expand their philanthropic support of the nonprofit, particularly its bereavement services.

“We had a wonderful experience with hospice,” Kim Welch said. “I’m not sure we could have had Scott’s dad at home without them there to help us. They do a lot of good when people need it most.”

Following dinner, attendees witnessed the presentation of the Circle of Caring Award to the Welches. Kim Welch spoke on behalf of herself and her husband, thanking those in attendance and emphasizing the importance of hospice care. Powers followed with stories about the Welches and their contributions to the community.

The event concluded with a paddle raise that generated nearly $400,000 through individual and business donations. All proceeds will support Center for Hospice Care’s specialized pediatric program.

“With the support of our pediatric palliative care team, the children and young people we serve can spend more time doing what matters most: being a kid, or for some, being a teenager,” Mastrojohn said.

Through its work as a care provider, Center for Hospice Care provides dignified, compassionate care for patients and families receiving hospice and palliative care. Events such as the Circle of Caring Award Dinner help the nonprofit share its mission with the wider community.

“People think of the hospital, people think of the doctors, people think of all of the things in the healthcare system, but they don’t necessarily think of hospice,” Powers said. “Hopefully people walk away with that tonight, maybe with a much higher appreciation for the critical role that hospice plays in the overall healthcare system.”

For more information about Center for Hospice Care, visit its website.