There are moments in time when people choose to go above and beyond for someone that they have never met. These are the extraordinary moments in life… when the spirit of giving is revealed, when the joy that can be experienced by the dying appears, and when the cherished memories that will never be forgotten by the families that survive the loss of a loved one are made. One such moment began on a beautiful Fall day in November 2014 when Columbus, Georgia Hospice Advantage Executive Director, Jason Yoxtheimer, and his team were thinking about their patients and what they could do to make what could be their patients’ last Christmas holiday special. Jason decided to contact the Texas Longhorns football program and tell them about an extraordinary patient and long-time Longhorns fan, Marquis Harris. Marquis is a 29-year old Multiple Sclerosis patient currently confined to his bed. A week after Jason made his first phone call, a representative from The University of Texas at Austin called him to let him know that the football staff had heard about Marquis’ situation and that they would be sending him some special gifts. The last week of November the items arrived at the Columbus office and the team was delighted to see several items sent by Head Coach, Charlie Strong, including: a hat, a written letter praying for the patient and his family, a signed photo of Coach Strong, and a signed photo of the football staff members. There was also a personalized #34 jersey with Harris’ name on the back. As a team, Jason and other Hospice Advantage staff members (Shannon Hamilton, Chiffany Lawerence, Rosiland Applewhite, Robert Strickland, Mary Cobb, Jeff Howard, Marlo Williams, Adam Butler, and Tracy Wood) presented the items to Marquis on Dec. 17, 2014. Marquis could not believe what the team was doing for him. He said, “This is the greatest thing that has happened to me” and “unbelievable.” Marquis even responded with a Hook’em Horns hand signal referring to the shape of the head and horns of the university’s mascot, the Texas Longhorn Bevo. Creating memories for hospice patients and their families is a gratifying gift to give. Jason Yoxtheimer said, “We could not have created a lasting memory for Marquis and his family without the generous spirit of the Big 12 football team and staff at The University of Texas at Austin. Thank you Longhorns!” #Hookem Horns
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 18:17:04 +0000
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