Helping Hands Award 2025
Center for Hospice Care recognized the “King of Quality” with the 40th Helping Hands Award on May 7, 2025.
Since 1985, the Helping Hands Award has honored an individual, couple or family who demonstrates civic and charitable stewardship to improve the quality of living in the communities Center for Hospice Care serves. The 40th Helping Hands Award Dinner honored “The King of Quality,” Dan Fitzpatrick at the Gillespie Center at Hilton Garden Inn. Chairs for the event were Ann and John Firth. John is the former president of Quality Dining, having joined the organization in 1996. Ann serves as vice president and chief of staff to the president of the University of Notre Dame.
Founder, chairman and CEO of Quality Dining, Inc., Dan’s vision and leadership transformed a small group of quick-service restaurants into a thriving multi-concept restaurant company that now operates more than 157 locations. These include franchised brands like Burger King and Slim Chickens, along with full-service favorites such as Papa Vino’s Italian Kitchen and Uptown Kitchen. Under Dan’s leadership, Quality Dining has become one of the largest franchisees of Burger King Corporation in North America.
With more than 6,000 employees, the company ranks among the top 60 franchised food service businesses in the United States. Dan has received numerous accolades over the years for both his business acumen and his deep commitment to public service.
Throughout his career, Dan has remained actively engaged in civic and nonprofit leadership across northern Indiana. He has held key roles with Madison Center and Hospital, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, the Morris Performing Arts Center and LOGAN Center. He currently serves as lead director of 1st Source Corporation and is a trustee at Holy Cross College.
At the heart of Dan’s community involvement is his passionate support of Catholic education across the Fort Wayne/South Bend Diocese. Through the “You Can Lend a Hand” program, Dan and his team have helped raise more than $12 million for Catholic schools in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
For his entrepreneurial vision, decades of leadership and extraordinary service to the community, Center for Hospice Care is proud to add Dan Fitzpatrick – “the King of Quality” – to the prestigious list of Helping Hands Award recipients.
Thank you to all of our sponsors! Your support allows us to keep our promise that no one who is eligible for and wants hospice care will ever be turned away, regardless of their ability to pay.
Dinner Guardians
Quality Dining and the Fitzpatrick Family
Dinner Champions
Ann and John Firth
Gurley Leep Automotive Family
Dinner Presenters
1st Source Foundation
Anonymous
Catherine and John Hiler
McDonald Physical Therapy
Carmi and Chris Murphy
Rita and Dick Strefling
University of Notre Dame
Welch Packaging
Dinner Benefactors
Zoreen and Rafat Ansari
Beacon Health System
Sharon and Matt Edmonds
Holly and Jim Harris
Connie and Mike Joines
LOGAN Community Resources
REAL Services
Senior1Care
Studebaker National Museum
WNIT Public Television
Reception Benefactors
Alick’s Home Medical
Kathy Beeler and Brian Regan
Bill Deputy Foundation
Walter Halloran
Kruggel Lawton CPA
Lake City Bank
Navarre Hospitality Group
Office Interiors
John W. Rosenthal
Capital Management, Inc.
Tommy Walz
Dinner Committee
Committee Chairs
Ann and John Firth
Committee Members
Zoreen and Rafat Ansari
Kathy Beeler and Brian Regan
Becky and Corey Cressy
Jory Fitzgerald and Kurt Janowsky
Brooke and DJ Fitzpatrick
Catherine and Jack Hiler
Mike Leep, Jr.
Maura and Francis McDonald
Carmi and Chris Murphy
Mary and Phil Newbold
John Rosenthal
Lyn and Donald Schmid