Highlights
NEWS ABOUT LUTHERAN HOMES OF MICHIGAN AND RELATED SERVICES
AUGUST 2002
The following are articles that ran in the above issue of Highlights. Articles in this issue (just click on the article you'd like to see or scroll through to read them all):
Gentle Hands -Powerful Voices
Maybe you have heard the radio ads or seen the television commercials that proclaim this curious message - Gentle Hands, Powerful Voices. You may also be wondering what Lutheran Homes of Michigan has to do with this unusual combination of words.
Lutheran Homes of Michigan has joined over 125 non-profit providers of senior care and services in a strategic communications initiative to raise the perception of programs and services offered to seniors. The Gentle Hands, Powerful Voices advertising program is the first part of this plan. If you're wondering why advertising and why now, here's a summary of what has led to this decision.
For decades, faith-based, not-for-profit providers of senior care, services and housing have quietly gone about the business of caring for the frailest of society. In the mean time, societal values have shifted, devaluing life at every stage - particularly when it comes to those who cannot speak for themselves. At the same time, burdensome regulations have grown tremendously, making it more and more difficult to provide care.
Now it's time to speak out. The Gentle Hands, Powerful Voices campaign is meant to improve public perception of ministries like Lutheran Homes of Michigan, as well as the many other non-profit providers of senior programs and care. We hope to nudge the public into reconsidering its perceptions of frail seniors and those who care for them. Ultimately, we hope the communications campaign will lead to a more thoughtful public dialogue. And we hope that regulations will be eased to allow caregivers to use their creative and caring talents.
Although it may seem unusual, our involvement in this initiative is perfectly consistent with our mission to serve the oldest of God's children. Increasingly, people in our society struggle with the world's view of aging - forgetting and ignoring God's view. Our mission is to share the saving love of the Gospel with the people we are blessed to touch. By being the Gentle Hands, Powerful Voices of our time, we can spread God's love to those who need it most.
In His Service,
David M. Gehm
President and CEO
Lutheran Homes of Michigan
From the Development Desk
Matthew A. Britton, Director of Development
It's surprising that we've already passed the halfway point of 2002. Life seems to practically race by. This is especially true for the staff and volunteers at our Lutheran Homes, who work 24 hours, 7 days a week to care for the physical and spiritual needs of God's frail and elderly children. Even as we are occupied with our daily ministry, we are also cautiously preparing for our future.
Last year, we created The Lutheran Homes of Michigan Endowment Fund as an instrument to help God's people Create a Legacy of Everlasting Care. Another such instrument was added just a few months ago.
At our first Annual Banquet, which was held in May this year, we announced the creation of the new Lutheran Homes of Michigan Annual Fund. This fund, like the Endowment Fund, helps to create a strong foundation that will help provide for the future of Lutheran Homes. Unlike the Endowment Fund, however, gifts to this fund will be used on a daily basis - to ensure that the Lutheran Homes will be able to continue their 110-year legacy of providing benevolent care.
Every day at Lutheran Homes we care for those who cannot care for themselves. That same level of care is provided, regardless of the residents' financial means. Throughout scripture we read and learn about compassion and benevolence. It is in that spirit the Lutheran Homes of Michigan Annual Fund was created. Won't you join us in taking up this cause for God's children?
If you would like more information on how you might support this important ministry, contact Matt Britton at (989) 652-3470.
LCHA's Amelia Gunnel Celebrates 50 Years in Nursing!
In September this year, Amelia Gunnell from the Lutheran Home Care Agency (LHCA) will celebrate 50 years in the nursing profession! During her career, Amelia worked for a care facility in Caro, as well as Saginaw General Hospital and the VA Hospital Nursing Home. She has worked for LHCA since 1995.
Amelia came from a family of nine children. Her father was a physician and all of her siblings also entered the medical field. In 1952, she graduated from Baptist Memorial School of Nursing in Memphis. Years later, Amelia's sister and subsequently both of Amelia's daughters also graduated from the same school of nursing.
On December 7, 2002, Amelia and her husband Robert will also celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Together they raised three children. They now have seven grandchildren, and a great grandchild on the way this fall.
LCHA clients refer to Amelia as the "nurse with the southern accent," and describe her as one of the most kindhearted, gentle people you will ever meet. They specifically ask for her - she has a way of making them feel comfortable and they really trust her.
When Amelia recently attended a reunion with her classmates from nursing school, she found she was the only one still working in the field as a nurse. Both the staff and clients of LCHA have been blessed by her commitment to the nursing profession. She is an inspiration to us all.
It's About Time!
When it comes to volunteer work, it's always about time. Each of our facilities, including the Home Care and Hospice Group, has a need for volunteers to give of their time, doing tasks that make a special difference in our residents' lives. Volunteer opportunities include (but are not limited to):
· Distribute mail
· Write letters for residents
· Play board and card games with residents
· Help with wheelchair transportation to and from off-site locations (therapy, beauty shop, etc.)
· One on one visits with residents
· Assist with group activities
· Gardening
· Assist with cooking and sewing activities
· Take walks with residents outdoors
· Assist with trips to stores, restaurants, special events,outings
· Assist with clerical tasks in front office & nursing department
· Special projects
If you are interested in giving of your time in any way, please contact the facility you would like to help:
Lutheran Home Frankenmuth (989) 652-9951
Lutheran Home Livonia (734) 425-4814
Lutheran Home Monroe (734) 241-9533
Lutheran Home Care Agency or Hospice of Hope (989) 652-4663
Three Industrious Women
Evelyn Botticher, Eunice Hansen & Velma Sype - all residents at the Monroe Home - have applied their energy and talents, creating a thriving business.
The three women work together to make and sell a variety of unique gift items:
· Birdhouses in many shapes, designs and colors (special thanks to Carl Reckling for his help)
· Victorian coasters
· Cross-shaped bookmarks
· Red, white and blue lapel pins
With their sales still climbing, the ladies recently added Raggedy Anne and Andy dolls to their repertoire. Being blessed with success, the women have also been generous in giving back with their profits. They have made much-appreciated contributions to the Ladies Guild, as well as the H.O.P.E. Committee, which helps employees in time of personal need. In addition, the ladies planned and took on a project to make new lace tablecloths for the Dining/Activity room at the Monroe Home.
On behalf of the entire Lutheran Homes of Michigan family, we congratulate and thank these ladies for their resourceful and inspiring work.
Lutheran Home Livonia Honors Their Oldest Residents
The staff of Certified Nursing Assistants at the Lutheran Home Livonia wishes to honor two of their eldest residents: Saimi Lees & Olga Lang Gottschalk.
Saimi recently celebrated her 103rd birthday! She was born in Finland in January of 1899. She and her husband Frank had two children and she also has two grandchildren. Visiting with Saimi over coffee is something the staff particularly enjoys, as she shares many stories and jokes from years gone by.
Olga was born in March of 1900 in Dearborn, Michigan, and recently celebrated her 102nd birthday. She grew up in a large family, with three brothers and six sisters. As a young girl, Henry Ford visited her family home and wanted to buy it, which he did. This made it possible for Olga's family to move to a farm in Denton, Michigan.
We are proud to have both Olga and Saimi as members of our Lutheran Home Livonia family!
Lutheran Home Frankenmuth Recognizes Employees
May 12th to 18th this year was designated as national Nursing Home Week. The Lutheran Home Frankenmuth celebrated the special week by recognizing its employees who faithfully serve the residents and their families every day. Throughout the week, there were special celebrations of food, fun and fellowship. In addition, employees were entered into a drawing for gift certificates, and were also presented with honorary gifts from the business office.
Lutheran Homes of Michigan 1st Annual Banquet
May 11, 2002 marked the first Lutheran Homes of Michigan Annual Banquet, held at Lakeland's Golf Club in Brighton, Michigan. The event combined the annual business meeting of our congregational members with our annual staff and volunteer recognition program, making for one glorious evening!
In addition to celebrating the wonderful and generous contributions of those who serve our residents and clients every day, the Annual Banquet was also a time to celebrate what God is doing in and through the mission and ministry of Lutheran Homes of Michigan. It was an opportunity to celebrate our rich history of care for God's frail and elderly children, while also looking forward, with anticipation and excitement to the wonderful road He has laid before us.
Special thanks to Tony Golden and Park Jarrett of AAL/LB (now Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) who generously sponsored the evening. Their support enables us to have special evenings like this, without taking away precious dollars from our programming.
If you would like to learn more about how your congregation can partner with Lutheran Homes of Michigan, please contact Matt Britton at (989) 652-3470 for information about becoming a member of the Lutheran Homes Association.
4th Annual Lutheran Homes of Michigan Golf Outing
In keeping with Lutheran Home's tradition, there had to be at least a bit of rain during the course of our annual golf outing! But the light sprinkling we had couldn't dampen the spirits of the nearly 140 golfers who gathered on Monday, July 22nd for a day of golf, fun and fellowship.
Once again, friends of Lutheran Homes from around the state, joined together at Bay Pointe Golf Club in West Bloomfield to help celebrate the mission of Lutheran Homes and raise much needed funds for the LHM Endowment Fund.
Thanks to the many golfers, sponsors, and contributors, this year's outing was another true success! Special thanks to the volunteer committee members who help to make this outing a success: Roger Swarthout, Mike Bird, Rev. Vic Halboth, Daryl Clasen, Ron Bales, and Mickey McCanham. These gentlemen work very hard to make sure everyone enjoys a great day on and off the course.
Another very special thank you to our many sponsors of this important event, including:
· Pederson, Keenan, King, Wachsberg & Andrzejak, PC
· American Glass & Metals Corp.
· Competition Graphics
· The Millgard Corp.
· Specialized Pharmacy
· Fendt Builders Supply, Inc.
· Robinson Companies, Inc.
· Ken Dargatz
· The Daily Company
· Glen Eden Cemeteries
· Tony Golden Regional Office of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
· Park Jarrett Regional Office of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
These organizations and individuals, in addition to the many hole and flag sponsors, and all those who donated auction items or other financial contributions, make our outing the success that it is!
On behalf of the hundreds that we serve everyday and the hundreds more staff who carry out our mission - THANK YOU!