The Portage MCC Thrift Shop worked in conjunction with Sunset Palliative Care and two other local charities this past week, and raised $1,000 for each charity. Volunteer Coordinator Aldene Moroz says they're using the funds for progress education in her field.

Aldene Moroz "We've just recently spent a large amount of money to send 15 people to a conference in September for training. That's to keep people up to date on palliative care, and how things are changing so much, as you know from your article. You can see how it is changing. People have life threatening illnesses, whether they're deemed palliative or not."

She notes education's an ongoing need.

"This money is going to be used for the books and education materials that we need to buy as well. It's just to keep everything current with our organization. It doesn't take a lot. Education material is so expensive. It's just one of those things. It's an ongoing day to day operation with Sunset. Any moneys we get in as donations received are always used very carefully."

Moroz adds local business support has greatly helped their efforts.

"Oh, it's wonderful. when I go to businesses and I meet with the owners and the staff, everyone of them has been touched with someone who has been deemed palliative, or has maybe passed away due to a life threatening illness. And because of that reason, I think that is why they are behind us. And they know that this program is so valuable."