SCARBOROUGH, Maine — To help raise funds for families looking for end-of-life options, hundreds head to Scarborough each year for the Hike for Hospice fundraiser.
Hosted by Hospice of Southern Maine, this year is the fourth time the nonprofit put on the hike, thanks in part due to a handful of sponsors.
Dozens attended this year to donate and raise funds for the program, as well as hike the Eastern Trail in support of the nonprofit's mission.
So far, the event has raised $185,000 dollars for programs that benefit patients and their families.
"There's a variety of things that we do sort of outside the scope of direct medical care to be able to help provide transportation for example for families," Medical Director Dr. Fernando Moreno said.
Moreno says the programs they offer can help more than 200 patients on an average day, either with at-home care or at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.
Volunteer Sarah Liziewski says after she was touched personally by what hospice care can offer to loved ones, she decided to volunteer at Hospice of Southern Maine.
She says she looks forward to the event each year.
"We end up running into people we've helped during the year," Liziewski said. "And it's really nice to circle back."
A virtual walk was also available for folks to fundraise and walk at their own pace.