Highlights April 2001
NEWS ABOUT LUTHERAN HOMES OF MICHIGAN AND RELATED SERVICES
The following are the articles that ran in the above issue of Highlights. Articles in this issue (just click on the article you'd like to see):
The Lutheran Homes of Michigan family lost a true friend in February, when Sally Krafft passed away from cancer. The touching and poignant article not only honors Sally and her family, it also provides a reminder of how God calls us each day to love our fellow man and involve ourselves in the lives of our neighbors. Hospice of Hope and Lutheran Homes of Michigan strive to do that each day, with the help of many.
Let us take this time, not just to remember the lives of loved ones like Sally, but also take a moment to think how we can help our fellow man by sharing the love with which God has blessed each of us.
"Reach out when tragedy strikes close to home" - by Hugh Bernreuter - Copyright 2001, The Saginaw News. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the Saginaw News.
Tragedy.
Death.
Loss.
Monday's Saginaw News had them all. Every television newscast had
them all too, after the violent death of NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt.
It was tragic. It was a loss.
But there are tragedies and losses every day. I saw another one in Monday's paper, toward the back of the sports pages. There was no headline, just information.
The funeral for Sally Krafft is a 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Lorenz Church in Frankenmuth. She died Sunday too, losing a battle with cancer at the age of 46, leaving a husband and three children.
High school sports fans in the area know her husband, Dennis Krafft, a football and basketball referee usually for Tri-Valley Conference games and generally considered one of the most decent people you could find. When we occasionally bump into each other his first question is, "How's my favorite sportswriter?" To which I always answer, "Greg Mancina's doing fine." But I saw no major headlines about the death of his wife.
I thought about her, too, as I watched the local news and the national news footage of fans of Earnhardt openly crying. Some made a pilgrimage to his business, setting up a shrine to a driver known as "The Intimidator." And I wondered if they even knew him. They obviously knew his press clippings. Maybe they had a chance to shake his hand or get an autograph. But they knew only what Earnhardt's public relations staff wanted them to know.
That's how, in large part, sports icons are created. It seems that in the minds of sports fans, their heroes have supernatural powers and Earnhardt had the same allegiance among his fans. But how will this death affect them? Perhaps the NASCAR circuit will become a little less exciting. Maybe they won't be able to cheer for another driver until next year. But in terms of personal anguish and turmoil in their lives, Earnhardt's death will have minimal impact.
Did his life mean more or have more worth than a 46-year-old mother of three? Hardly, yet for the next week we will hear of the wonders of Dale Earnhardt, who knew the risks of driving at incredible speeds inches from other cars driving at incredible speeds. He knew that he was risking his life. Earnhardt gladly accepted that risk, even embraced it in his style of racing&ldots; the very risky, abrasive style that won races and made fans. Sally Krafft never had a chance to opt for or against cancer. It chose her. That should not diminish either life.
There is little we can do to help the Earnhardts. I'm sure they will receive thousands upon thousands of condolences from around the country. And it will move them. The quantity of emotion will console them. But there is so much more we can do for the people who appear toward the back of the sports pages. They are our neighbors. Usually, they do not choose to risk their lives. They do not choose to face the prospects of leaving their children without a parent.
We can send a sorrowful note to the Earnhardts to be included in the final tally of condolences. Or we can reach out to those closest to us, to the mothers and fathers in out neighborhoods who have also suffered a loss&ldots; a death&ldots; a tragedy.
The last sentence in Sally Krafft's "story" in Monday's paper was simple: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Hospice of Hope. It's a good place to start.
Hugh Bernreuter is the assistant sports editor of The Saginaw News. You may call him at 989-776-9771. Copyright 2001, The Saginaw News. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the Saginaw News.
Working together on behalf of God's older children
Lutheran Homes of Michigan has long been synonymous with high quality, Christ-centered health care for seniors. Historically, this care has been provided at one of our nursing home/assisted living campuses. More recently, we have provided this same care for individuals living at home through the Lutheran Home Care Agency and the Hospice of Hope. Over the years, God has granted us success in this ministry as we reach out to more and more seniors in need of His love.
The mission statement of Lutheran Homes, crafted decades ago, speaks also to the importance of this ministry being receptive and responsive to the requirements of all seniors, including those who have need of is safe, affordable, desirable housing. The wisdom of this thinking has never been more evident as trends of demographics and consumer preferences tell us that the movement in senior care is away from the traditional nursing home and into more "home and community-based care". In fact, those who create public policy have made it clear that, as a percentage of senior care and services, less and less will take place in the traditional nursing home and assisted living environment.
What does this mean to Lutheran Homes and the people we serve? We are convinced it creates an array of opportunities and we are committed to the many challenges before us. Senior housing, more home care and independent living campuses are all a vital part of our strategic plan. When fully developed, a new venue for carrying out our ministry will have been shaped in a less institutional setting.
I invite you to read about our exciting new housing study taking place in western Wayne County. This study is being funded through a generous grant from Aid Association for Lutherans. We are grateful to our friends from AAL who have partnered with us in this important vision for the future.
Also, please take a moment to review our Mission Statement. As we continue to expand in order to carry out this mission, join us and AAL as we visualize the tremendous opportunities that are ahead of us. Together we will discover new and exciting ways to care for God's older children.
Together in Service,
David M. Gehm, President and CEO
Lutheran Homes of Michigan
From the Development Desk
I think it is safe to say that most of us have a heart-felt desire to help our fellow man and we express this assistance in a multitude of ways. Some of us may volunteer at the local homeless shelter in our community. Others may visit members of our parish who are shut-ins. Still others lend support with their financial resources.
As Christians it seems to be second nature to give and help in some way shape or form. Among the many lessons Christ taught us, one was to be good stewards - to give - to help others who are in need. Lutheran Homes strives to do just that, each and every day as we provide quality care for those in our midst.
We recognize that each individual has varying needs. Not everyone requires the care found in a Skilled Nursing Home. Not everyone is a candidate for Home Care or Hospice services. For that reason, you will hear us talk a great deal about the future of Lutheran Homes of Michigan. Our future is exciting! It is changing - changing the way we create and evaluate the many services we offer.
However, one thing that will not change in the future is our mission - Caring for God's frail and elderly children. That remains the heart and soul of what we do and why we're here. God has called LHM to give in this way.
God has also called you to give. Consider the mission and ministry of Lutheran Homes of Michigan, then prayerfully search your heart for the ways in which God is calling you to help in a manner that will do the most good with what the Lord has given you.
Our work at LHM needs the gracious and generous gifts of people like you. We have an ongoing need for your financial help - those gifts enable us to move forward with certainty, strength, and vision. Also, your gifts of volunteering and prayer support enable us to continue the mission God has called us to advance.
For more information about supporting LHM, call me at (517) 652-3470. I will assist you in identifying how you can be an important partner with Lutheran Homes of Michigan, whether through financial support, estate planning, volunteer efforts, and so forth.
We're counting on you for your support and I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Aid Association for Lutherans Supports LHM with Grant
As you read in Dave Gehm's article (Working together on behalf of God's older children) Lutheran Homes of Michigan is moving forward with a clear vision during these very inspiring times.
One of LHM's most immediate opportunities is the creation of an Independent Senior Housing complex in Western Wayne County. As the needs of today's consumers change, so too do the types of care and services that are available to seniors. It is clearly apparent that an Independent Senior Housing campus is appropriate for these changing times and in keeping with the mission of LHM.
We are truly thankful for a very generous grant provided by Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) that will fund a feasibility study on this project. The fact that AAL is providing support for our future represents a shared commitment to the goals of LHM.
This feasibility study is an extremely important first step in making sure this Western Wayne County project fits the needs of the geographic and demographic markets to be served by this complex. Once the study is completed and the decision is made to move forward, your charitable gifts will continue to be necessary to turn this dream into a reality.
While details on this project are in the planning stages, suffice to say these continue to be very exciting times at Lutheran Homes of Michigan. And it is through the generosity of organizations like AAL (and individuals like you) that we are able to continue our journey into the future.
Mark You Calendar for 3rd Annual LHM Golf Outing
It's almost time to tee it up for the 3rd Annual Lutheran Homes of Michigan Golf Outing. This year's event will be held at the exclusive Bay Pointe Golf Club, in West Bloomfield, Michigan on Monday, July 23, 2001. Enjoy a summer day of great golf with great people at a great place. Unless you're a member of Bay Pointe, this may be your only opportunity to play this beautiful course.
Registration for this four-person scramble event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast and a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The outing fee of $150 per golfer includes: 18 holes of golf with cart, continental breakfast, lunch at the turn, heavy hors d'oeuvres following golf, refreshments throughout the day - on and off the course.
Sponsorship opportunities include:
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Hole sponsorships are available at $150 each. Hole sponsorship signs will be imprinted with the sponsor's name/company.
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Flag sponsorships are available at $200 each. Each flag will be embroidered with the sponsor's name/company and will be presented to the sponsor at the end of the outing.
Mark your calendar now for this great event! For further information or to register your foursome, complete the registration below or contact Matt Britton at Lutheran Homes of Michigan at 517-652-3470. Outing is limited to 160 golfers. Register no later than July 9, 2001.
We look forward to seeing you Monday, July 23, 2001 at Bay Pointe Golf Club!
YES, I want to participate in the 2001 LHM Golf Outing on Monday, July 23rd at Bay Point Golf Club.
Name ______________________________________
Address ____________________________________
City, State, Zip ________________________________
Phone ________________________________________
My foursome includes (please list names of all players and shirt sizes)
1.
2.
3.
4.
__ Single Player
__ I would like to register ___ player(s) at $150 each. Total enclosed: $____________
__ I am unable to attend, but please accept my donation enclosed in the amount of
$_________
Please return this form with your check made payable to LUTHERAN HOMES OF MICHIGAN to:
Lutheran Homes of Michigan
9710 Junction Road
P. O. Box 329
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
FRANKENMUTH HOME
Resident Raymond Rodammer is visiting with activity aide, Angela Schnirla. Ray and Angela are finalizing plans for an activity that was specifically designed for him.
Painting, sewing, photography, playing cards, crafts, and baking are just a few of the many activities that residents enjoy throughout their day.
Every year in February, huge blocks of ice are turned into works of art during Frankenmuth's annual Snowfest. It is a tradition for the city to place ice sculptures at various locations for all to enjoy. This beautiful swordfish was displayed at our Frankenmuth Home.
WON'T YOU BE MY VALENTINE!
Heart-shaped red and white balloons! Sing alongs! Memorable music! Food and fun!
Indeed, Valentine's Day at our Livonia Home was a day to remember as residents and staff joined friends and family members to celebrate this special day.
The highlight of this wonderful party was the "cooked from scratch" meal prepared and served by staff, department heads and several members of the Livonia Helping Hands Volunteer Corps. Residents and their guests also enjoyed non-alcoholic champagne and candy favors.
SPEAKING OF "HELPING HANDS" . . .
The Livonia Home Helping Hands Corps will hold its next General Volunteer Corps meeting on Wednesday, April 25th at 7 p.m. at 28910 Plymouth Road in Livonia.
Volunteer Corps members, guests, and all others interested in volunteer services at the Livonia Home are invited to attend this meeting.
There's no question that the need for "helping hands" is great throughout the entire Lutheran Homes of Michigan organization, including Home Care and Hospice of Hope.
Volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to . . .
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distributing mail
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writing letters for residents
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playing board and card games with residents
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helping with wheelchair transportation to and from off-site locations (therapy, beauty shop, barber shop, etc.)
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one-on-one visits with residents
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assisting with group activities
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gardening
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assisting with cooking and sewing activities
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reading to residents
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taking walks with residents outdoors (weather permitting)
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assisting with clerical tasks in the office and nursing department
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participating in special projects
To find out more information about how you can help in this special way, contact:
Lutheran Home - Frankenmuth - 517-652-9951
Lutheran Home - Livonia - 734-425-4814
Lutheran Home - Monroe - 734-241-9533
Lutheran Home Care Agency and Hospice of Hope - 989-652-4463
"LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART!"
The annual Valentine Dinner Dance at the Monroe Home was long anticipated by the residents and their families. A selection of evening gowns had been on display for two weeks prior to the event, and many residents selected the dress of their choice and made beauty shop appointments for this grand affair.
The Carousel Room was beautifully decorated with twinkling lights, red and white flowers, balloons and streamers. The Lutheran Home Ladies Guild, which also furnished cakes and cookies for dessert, graciously served the catered meal.
More than 200 people enjoyed the River Raisin Band and their musical renditions of popular polkas and other familiar tunes. Kenneth Havekost, a long time friend of the Monroe Home, is a well-known square dance caller and was responsible for getting lots of folks on the dance floor.
"Mickey Mouse" was the highlight of the evening. He danced, gave everyone hugs, had his picture taken with all who were interested, and provided entertainment and enjoyment for everyone.
The grand finale of the evening was the official crowning of the "Valentine King and Queen." Mrs. Rose Lohr, age 104, wore her crown in grand style. Rose beamed as she was crowned and said, "Who me?" Mr. Earl Heck looked very regal in his crown and cape while the audience congratulated him with applause and cheering.