Heartland Home Health & Hospice serving Northeastern Michigan donated $10,000 to the United Way Midland County’s Rise Together Fund through the Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund.

In May, two dams failed and flooded Midland causing extreme damages. Heartland Home Health & Hospice wanted to plan a fundraiser to help their community recover from the damages so the team reached out to Melanie Maraugha, Donor Relations Manager, Grants Officer with ProMedica Foundation, to find out what they could do to for a fundraiser and she informed the agency that through the Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund and ProMedica Foundation they could donate $10,000 to their community.

The Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund donation was distributed between Riverside Place of Midland, Great Lakes Bay Veterans Coalition and United Way of Midland County’s Rise Together Fund. When Heartland found out that Riverside Place of Midland had to immediately evacuate their residence due to the flooding, they felt it was important to help them with some of the donation funds. Heartland is also committed to serving Veterans in the community and is a partner with the We Honor Veterans Program. Kendall MacConnell, Veteran Volunteer, mentioned that he had volunteered with the Great Lakes Bay Veterans Coalition handing out food to those who were in need after the flood, the team knew this was an organization they also wanted to help. The Heartland team found out that the Great Lakes Bay Veterans Coalition matches their donations to help restore the homes of Veterans that were damaged by the flood. Another vital organization Heartland wanted to give to was the United Way of Midland County’s Rise Together Fund as they continue to help those affected by the flood.

Representatives from the organizations attended the check presentation that was held on July 24, 2020 at the Heartland Home Health & Hospice office. Brad, Terry and Greg from the Veterans Coalition attended and shared how they helped with evacuating local residents, set-up shelters and transported food to shelters. Ashley and Lindsay from the United Way of Midland County also attended the check presentation and were very thankful to Heartland for their donation. Kim with Riverside was unable to attend the check presentation but expressed her appreciation for the donation and the support from Heartland to help restore their facility where so many seniors call home.

“I honestly tear up trying to put into words what it means to the Heartland team to be able to support our community. We are blessed to work within an organization that truly shares our mission of serving others and with these local organizations serving those who need help the most during this natural disaster. We are so very thankful to Melanie and the Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund for helping our agency give back to others. I feel great about working for an organization that is proven to be as they claim: Helpful, Caring and Responsive!” said Julie Rousse, Administrator.

I want to compliment the following employees – Becky, Lucy, Tracy (social worker) and Patti (supervisor). These employees make me feel comfortable in talking to them about anything. They are professional and concerned. Wonderful employees. I would definitely recommend the Heartland Bay City Home Care agency to those who are in need of care.

I want to commend the staff who have helped my husband, Ron. I particularly want to recognize Amy, OT; Conrad, PT; Tracy, social worker; and Becky, nurse. The therapy has given Ron his life back!

Dan, Director of Clinical Services in our Great Lakes Division, shares this patient story from Bay City:

Marla, an Account Liaison for Heartland Home Health and Hospice Serving Northeastern Michigan, met with a patient to discuss the benefits of Home Health Care and what to expect from the services. During their conversation, the patient shared that he was concerned about his dog since he was not able to let him outside while he was in the hospital. The patient also shared with Marla that he was having some anxiety over other personal matters.

Marla spent a lot of time with the patient and went out of her way to try to relieve some of the anxiety he was having. She asked the patient if he had anybody in mind that could check on his dog. She then contacted a friend of the patient on the patient’s behalf and asked if he would go into the home to let the dog out and check on things. Marla then followed up to make sure everything was taken care of at the patient’s home.

Thanks to Marla and the staff in Bay City for this “WOW” experience!