Submitted by John Schroeder
St Cloud Westside Sertoma Club

The Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St Augusta helped fill the need for additional care options for St Cloud area residents facing terminal illnesses.  Joe Bauer provided the inspiration and the vision to get this facility open, and for his efforts he has been recognized with the St Cloud Westside Sertoma Club's annual SERvice TO Mankind award.  In 2003, Joe's younger brother, Dan, was dying of colon cancer at the age of 48.  Although Dan had been surrounded and cared for by his family and friends, his last weeks were very difficult for his primary caregivers - his wife and seven children.  Joe and his wife, Mary, recognized that alternative options were needed for families in the area facing similar end-of -life challenges.  They wanted to establish a professional and consistent care option where patients' physical needs could be met in a more comfortable and private setting, a setting that allowed families more personal time together without daily care giving responsibilities and interruptions.

Quiet Oaks Hospice House opened to its first residents in October 2008.  It has served about 60 individual residents and their families.  Joe was instrumental in seeing his dream become a reality.  With his devotion, hard work and support from many other believers, Quiet Oaks has raised more than $2 million dollars in two years.  With continued contributions, the facility's capital campaign hopes to reach its goal of $3 million.

Each year Sertoma clubs throughout North America honor one non-Sertoman in their communities who has provided inspirational service to others.  Sertoma is an acronym for SERvice TO Mankind.  The Westside Sertoma Club consists of about 50 members who give back to various community causes, including issues involving speech and hearing difficulties.