The Emporia Gazette

May 28, 2012

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SINCE 2005, the local Wendy’s has celebrated “Francis Walters Day” on the last Friday in May to recognize Francis’ contribution to the community. This year, the day went relatively unnoticed because of the “extreme makeover” going on at the Wendy’s on Sixth Avenue. A spokesperson for Sunset Equities, the owner, indicated that they felt that the store on Industrial would not be able to handle what has, historically, been a noticeable increase in business because of community members eating at Wendy’s that day, knowing that the profits would go to Hand in Hand Hospice.

True to form, though, Sunset Equities has agreed to donate an amount to Hand in Hospice which represents the average of the donations for the past three years and plans to pick up their idea of recognizing the day in their stores in Emporia next May when the new store is completed.

Our family wants to acknowledge their generosity and looks forward to many years of having a designated day not only to recognize Francis, who we love and miss every day, but also as a way to help raise funds for Hand in Hand Hospice.

Our entire family benefited from the services of Hand in Hand Hospice, a community resource that, I admit, we took for granted until we needed them. Everyone at Hand in Hand — from volunteers to administration — demonstrates every single day that this is a calling and a commitment, not just a job, and how much they truly care for their clients and their clients’ families.

Hand in Hand Hospice offers unequaled compassion and respect for our loved ones who have a terminal illness and support and guidance for family and friends who are struggling to deal with the progression of the disease and the eventual albeit, unwanted, outcome.