VALPARAISO – VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana is pleased to announce its 2025 Joyce Alexa Advocate of the Year Award will be presented to Brenda Coleman on March 3, 2025, at the VNA Hospice of NWI’s Annual dinner.
The Advocate of the Year Award honors the service and legacy of former VNA administrator and board member Joyce Alexa. The award inscription reads: Joyce Alexa served the VNA as a nurse, administrator, and board member for over 40 years. She advocated for fair legislative policy, lobbied for progressive patient care provisions, and built relationships throughout the community to support VNA Hospice’s mission and the promotion of senior health services. The Joyce Alexa Advocate of the year Award is given to an individual who exemplifies Joyce’s spirit of fair legislation, empowering the underserved, promoting senior independence and dignity, and always advocating for VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana.
“I am thrilled that Brenda is receiving the Joyce Alexa Award this year,” said Bob Franko, VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana’s President and CEO. “Brenda is a tireless volunteer, not just for the VNA, but for so many other groups like Women in Bloom, VFW Post #2511 in Porter, Habitat for Humanity, and Bomber Girls,” Franko said. “Beyond that she is a kind, decent and caring person who listens intently, laughs heartily and always asks what else needs to be done.” Coleman is Vice President of Valparaiso-based International Magnaproducts, Inc., a small family-owned business with six employees, but worldwide reach. She is a Valparaiso High School and Concordia University graduate. “We couldn’t have our annual Hops for Hospice fundraiser without Brenda,” Franko said. “She’s been with us all five yeas and can run that show better than any of us.”
Joyce Alexa and her husband Bill now reside in Florida. Alexa echoed Franko’s comments stating that she is likewise very pleased to have Coleman receive the award this year. “The VNA is lucky to have friends and volunteers like Brenda,” Alexa said. “The VNA is better and the whole community is better because of people like her.”
The Annual Dinner will take place on Monday, March 3rd at the Porter County Expo Center – 215 E Division Road, Valparaiso. Social Hour begins at 6:00pm, dinner and awards will begin at 6:30pm. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at AD2025.givesmart.com no later than February 24th. For more information about the event, please contact the VNA at (219) 462-5195 or visit our website at vnanwi.org.
The VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana is a nonprofit organization working to preserve dignity in aging by helping seniors remain in their homes and in charge of their healthcare decisions for as long as possible. The VNA provides hospice care, palliative care, Meals on Wheels, Medical Guardian help button, grief support including the Phoenix Center for grieving children, adults and families, and a We Honor Veterans Program. It has offices in Valparaiso and Crown Point and celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2025.
