VNA & Blue Water Hospice Honor Staff & Volunteers

In a typical year, the entire staff of VNA & Blue Water Hospice gather for breakfast, laughs, and awards. Unfortunately, this year is anything but typical. Instead, the agency spread the celebration out over a week, honoring several staff and volunteers with Volunteer of the Year, Leader of the Year, Bess MacCulloch, and Dr. Elmore Shoudy awards. In addition, a little competitive fun was had between staff with gingerbread house and door decorating contests!

Volunteer of the Year Award

Fran Meyers was named 2019 Volunteer of the Year (luncheon was cancelled due to COVID). A volunteer since 2009, Fran has helped in many areas such as bereavement, fundraising, mailings, memorial services, and most recently in the kitchen at Blue Water Hospice Home. Everyone – patients, families, and staff enjoy Fran’s treats!

Carl Erickson was named 2020 Volunteer of the Year. Carl has been a volunteer at the agency since 2016, helping at the Blue Water Hospice Home kitchen, front desk, and assisting with mailings. During COVID, he never missed a shift, and picked up a few extra. “Carl never hesitates to help out. I am grateful for his commitment to our staff, patients, and the organization,” says Heidi Benner, Volunteer Coordinator.

Marilyn Cruickshank was named 2020 Volunteer of the Year. As a volunteer since 2018, Marilyn has contributed as a companion volunteer, greeter, housekeeping, and with mailings. “Always with a smile, she is there when I need her. I appreciate Marilyn’s commitment to us,” says Heidi Benner, Volunteer Coordinator.

Bess MacCulloch Award

Rebecca Reeves was named 2020 Bess MacCulloch Service Award winner. This award is given to someone in the Health Services, Home Health Care, or Special Care services area who exemplifies the mission of the agency. They provide excellent care to clients in addition to their community service.

Rebecca has been with VNA since 2018 and works in Private Duty. She was nominated by a co-worker who stated “She is always friendly to clients and their families. She knows how to handle difficult situations, has a dependable work ethic, and is always available to fellow staff.”

Dr. Elmore Shoudy Award

Chuck Seigneurie was named 2020 Dr. Elmore Shoudy Award winner. This award is given to an employee of the Hospice division who provides extraordinary care to patients and families dealing with terminal illness.

Chuck has been with the agency since 2019 creating exquisite meals in the Blue Water Hospice Home kitchen. A patient’s husband commented “you can tell Chuck makes all of the meals with love. He takes the time, so it not only tastes good, but looks good too…that’s someone who loves what they do.” A co-worker added “he strives to make patients feel like this is their home; he goes out of his way to help, not only patients, but also the staff. He embodies the mission of the agency.”

Leader of the Year Award

Jessica Martin, RN, BSN was honored with the first annual Leader of the Year Award. To be named Leader of the Year an individual must demonstrate compassion, outstanding leadership, hold themselves and others accountable, while functioning with the utmost humility.

Jessica has been with VNA & Blue Water Hospice since 2018 and is currently the Director of Hospice at the Blue Water Hospice Home. Several of her staff nominated her, all listing her willingness to help – no matter day or night. “Jessica is the kind of manager anyone would be lucky to have. She hops right in to help with anything a patient may need. She listens to employees and you can talk about anything with her” says a staff member.

Submitted by VNA & Blue Water Hospice

Mask Exhibit Uses Art to Process Pandemic

The Michigan Legacy Art Park (MLAP) will open a “Stay Safe” mask exhibit in February at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, Michigan. The exhibit features over 300 paper mache masks created and decorated by people of all ages from across the state.

The exhibit began as a way for participants to explore and express their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was created by artist and Volunteer Director of Education for MLAP, Patricia Innis, and more than 400 people have participated since the launch in August of 2020.

Innis said, ““It quickly became apparent it was more than
just a fun thing to do. Families were using the masks as a starting point to talk about thoughts and feelings during the pandemic. I’m amazed at how many still want to create masks and the number of organizations who have expressed interest in bringing
the project to their own communities.”

There will be a free online tour of the exhibit on February 12th at 1 PM via Facebook Live on the Ramsdell Center’s Facebook page, and the Art Park has also created a How-To blog for anyone interested in participating in the project from home by themselves, with their families, or in a small group.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Congresswoman Lisa McClain Michigan's 10th District

Congresswoman McClain Selected to Serve on House Armed Services Committee

Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) announced she will serve on the House Armed Services Committee during the 117th Congress.

“The House Armed Services Committee is vital to keeping Americans at home and abroad safe, and I am honored to serve on the committee. The assets at Selfridge Air National Guard Base are critical to our national security,” said Rep. McClain. “I look forward to protecting our armed forces, making sure our military has the support it needs and ensuring Michigan remains at the forefront of national defense.”

“Congratulations to Rep. Lisa McClain on her selection to the House Armed Services Committee. Lisa brings a valuable perspective to our committee, and I’m confident she will immediately make an impact on our national defense policies,” said House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Mike Rogers (AL-03).

Rep. McClain’s district includes several defense and national security assets including Selfridge Air National Guard Base, the Michigan Defense Corridor and the Blue Water Bridge, an international border crossing.

Submitted by Congresswoman McClain’s Office

Closings and Cancellations Jan. 26, 2021

Closings and cancellations for Tuesday, January 26, 2021:

St. Clair County:

Holy Cross Catholic

St. Edward on the Lake Elementary

Immaculate Conception

St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy

 

 

Local Non-Profit, A Beautiful Me, Awarded DTE Grant

The DTE Foundation has awarded a $1500 grant to A Beautiful Me, a local non-profit, to support the Pen Pal Program. DTE gives out millions of dollars in grants to organizations throughout its service area, as one of the largest corporate citizens in Michigan.

Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Foundation, said, “A Beautiful Me – through its Pen Pal program – continues to serve as a stabilizing and inspiring force during an uncertain, lonely time for many young women. At the DTE Foundation, we know supported, nurtured youth are the bedrock of strong, vital communities.” 

Fowler went on to say, “And we know our partnership with A Beautiful Me, and the senses of pride, confidence and camaraderie it instills in young women – our future leaders – will continue to set them up for personal and professional success for years to come.”

With most kids spending a lot of time at home and social interactions curtailed by COVID-19 restrictions, getting a letter in the mail can be a real thrill. The Pen Pal Program has reached 700 youth with the work of 40 volunteers.

More information about the program and the work of A Beautiful Me can be found at abeautifulme.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Stimulus Payments by Prepaid Visa Not a Scam

Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to assure Michigan residents that stimulus payments that arrive in the form of prepaid Visa debit cards are not scams.

The second round of stimulus payments issued by the federal government may arrive in three different ways – direct deposit, paper check, or prepaid debit cards.

If you receive payment by prepaid debit card, it will arrive in a white envelope with the U.S. Department of Treasury seal. The prepaid Visa debit card enclosed will have the Visa logo on the front, and the back will say MetaBank, N.A., the name of the issuing bank.

According to Nessel, those who receive their stimulus payments via prepaid debit card can use the cards anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted or transfer the funds to a personal bank account. Card balances can be checked online via a mobile app or by calling the number on the back of the card.

The cards are protected against fraud, loss, and other errors.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand