Homeland 5K and Memory Walk: A Time to Remember and Honor Loved Ones

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Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one knows the journey through grief doesn’t have a timeline. Memories can flood our minds at inopportune moments at the grocery store or at milestone events when there is an empty seat at the table where our loved one used to sit. Homeland Hospice held its 10th Annual 5K and Memory Walk on September 14 to provide a safe and supportive space for families to honor a lost loved one.

More than 300 runners, walkers, staff members and volunteers gathered for this special Homeland tradition. Runners and walkers wore purple event t-shirts with the names of loved ones remembered. Many participants walked in groups with their furry family members in tow wearing colorful bandanas provided by Homeland. Among the purple sea of participants was Kathy Page and her friend Kim Sowers. This was Kathy’s sixth year walking in honor of her husband Charlie who received hospice services before his death in 2019.

“I support the event every year,” Cathy says. “I am proud to see Charlie’s name on the t-shirt.”

When Kim’s mother, Gail, needed support services, Cathy recommended Homeland based on the compassionate care Charlie received. Kim’s mother has passed away, making this Kim’s first walk.

For others, the event was about supporting Homeland’s mission and connecting with friends and colleagues. Hannah Dudginski of Enola works for Homeland but rarely gets to connect with her coworkers. She brought along her sisters Madeline and Sarah.

“It is great to see everyone,” Hannah says. “We love supporting this event.”

A unique aspect of the event includes interactive stations to help families process their grief. Alexis Conkle, MSW, a Homeland Bereavement Counselor, helped create the activities at each station. The first station focused on gratitude and release. Participants could write personal messages to their loved ones on a special piece of paper which dissolved when placed in water.

“This station is emotional and personal for families,” Alexis says. “At the same time, it can provide relief for many people whose hearts are heavy because they have something to say to their loved one.”

At the second station, runners and walkers received small candles with an uplifting quote about the power of light during dark times of our lives.

Homeland’s beloved teddy bear, named Rosemary, also made a special appearance at the third station. Rosemary is a perennial herb that symbolizes love and remembrance and is often incorporated into special Homeland events.

Runners and walkers could have their photos taken with Rosemary who was in the driver’s seat of a car. Racers could also write the name of their loved one on a magnet and place it on the car.

Homeland Hospice provided a new station this year in honor of its 15th Anniversary, which will be celebrated with a special event on Saturday, November 23, 2024. “History, Heart & Honor” will include a display of handmade works of art in the shape of a heart. Participants at the race were encouraged to decorate a heart with adjectives about their loved one for the upcoming event.

As the walkers and racers completed the course, they enjoyed apples, bananas, granola bars and burritos over conversation and relaxation.

Funds raised benefit Homeland Hospice supportive services like massage, music therapy and additional in-home relief hours as well as residents of Homeland Center whose financial resources have been exhausted. Homeland Hospice is a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

For more information about Homeland Hospice, call (717) 221-7890.

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The Unsaid Reward Speaks the Loudest for Kristine Crockett

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Kristine (Kris) Crockett, RN, CHPN, Director of Homeland Hospice and Homeland Palliative Care, approaches life with an open mind, always looking for opportunities to serve others. For more than 25 years, she has provided compassionate end-of-life care as a hospice nurse and administrator. The road to her current role with Homeland has been filled with gratifying experiences beginning with her service in the Army. As a proud veteran, Kris feels a special bond with the veterans served by Homeland Hospice.

Kris entered the Army when she was 17 years old, after achieving an impressive score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, which is administered in high school to identify candidates for military service. At the time, Kris was unsure what type of career she wanted to pursue and decided to serve our country while learning a vocation. As a minor, Kris needed the approval of her parents.

“My family was very supportive,” Kris says. “This was the start of a new chapter in my life.”

Kris intended to serve in the Army Reserves, but soon decided to enlist for active duty. Her original goal was to enter medic training, but there were no openings at the time. Instead, she entered military policing and eventually became a guard at a correctional facility in California. During more than nine years in the Army, Kris lived in Texas, Honduras, South Korea and California.

“My time in the service was so rewarding,” Kris adds. “I formed friendships that still exist.”

Often, it was the unsaid thank you or acknowledgement of a job well done between colleagues that spoke the loudest to Kris. Words of gratitude or praise were simply understood between her military brethren.

Following her time in the Army, Kris returned to central Pennsylvania and pursued a medical career. She became a licensed practical nurse and began working as she raised her children. Over the years, she earned her associates degree and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

In the early 1990s, Kris worked as a nurse at York House Hospice, which provided compassionate end-of-life support for people dying of AIDS. At the time, York had one of the highest populations of AIDS patients in the state. Far too many people had no place to die with dignity, medical care and unconditional support. York House Hospice was a beacon of hope for the people it served.

Kris joined Homeland Hospice in 2012 as a weekend on-call nurse. She quickly found the same connection she had with her colleagues in the Army with her patients and their families. She didn’t need to hear the words of gratitude spoken, for she could see it in the eyes of those she helped.

“I have always connected with my patients and their families,” Kris says. “It is a powerful bond.”

Since 2012, Kris has advanced in her career and also helped Homeland expand its comprehensive continuum of services to include palliative care.

Kris is particularly proud of Homeland’s We Honor Veterans program, created by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The program works to improve the quality of health care for all who served. Whenever possible, Kris strives to connect with veterans receiving care to thank them for their service. This unique connection is one of the many reasons Kris feels a call to service at Homeland.

“This is the most rewarding job I have ever had,” Kris says. “I love this work.”

Homeland Hospice is a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania. For more information, contact Homeland Hospice at (717) 221-7890.