MALACHI HOUSE
| SUMMER 2021 NEWSLETTER |
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Let’s begin this beautiful summer by moving forward and being grateful for the future of a “new normal.” We adjust each and every day with the understanding and patience of our Co-founder, Kaki O’Neill, our board and associate board, our hospice teams, volunteers, committed staff members and our supporters. We have been able to welcome back, in full force, our hospice teams including: the nurses, nurse’s aides, social workers, and chaplains. We are so excited that our volunteers will be joining soon as we work through the new guidelines and updates. We can’t wait to see you all again – the House has not been the same without you! Our goal over the next six months is to return to full capacity staffing in order to accommodate 15 residents once again. We have survived to this point, as no one has forgotten us or the incredible service we provide. Everyone embraced Malachi House and adapted with us to secure our vital mission. It is essential that we continue to work as a team with empathy and love at the forefront for a sustainable future. “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you” Proverbs 4:25
L. Joseph Lee Board Chair
Judy Ghazoul Hilow Executive Director
TOP: FLOWERS IN KAKI’S GARDEN. BELOW: FRESH CUT FLOWERS FROM KAKI’S GARDEN FOR THE RESIDENT ROOMS
RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT LISA
Malachi House resident, Lisa, was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and lived there until she was 18. After leaving Columbus she spent some time living in both California and Texas. Lisa’s first job was working at a movie theater – this was also one of her favorite jobs! She has four daughters and says that they bring her the most joy in life. She also enjoys her many grandchildren. Lisa enjoys socializing with the residents and staff here at Malachi House and can often be found at the dining room table reading, coloring, playing Yahtzee or enjoying a meal - she likes the food at Malachi House! She has also been reliving her childhood memories by starting a Barbie doll collection since being here. Lisa brings such joy to the house with her shining smile. LEFT: RESIDENT LISA, ENJOYING KAKI’S GARDEN
THE MERRY PLOUGHBOYS FROM AFAR Our virtual Merry Ploughboys Concert was a big hit! We’re so thankful to everyone who made it possible: our event chairs, Tom and Caroline Arbeznik; our honorees, Bridie Joyce and Helen Malloy; Mike, Kevin and Sean Joyce of Joyce Buick GMC for donating the 2021 Buick Encore GX; and The Merry Ploughboys themselves! We had a great time interviewing Bridie Joyce and Helen Malloy, two pillars in the Cleveland community. Bridie’s journey from Ireland and Helen’s deep connection to Cleveland provide these two with some great stories. We are so thankful for their continued support of Malachi House as well as other nonprofits in the greater Cleveland area. Congratulations to Julie Stenger, this year’s grand prize winner of our Luck O’ The Irish Car Raffle! Julie is now the proud new owner of this beautiful 2021 Buick Encore GX. Julie has been a part of Malachi House since 2007 when she was brought on as the Primary Nurse from the Hospice of the Western Reserve. When she retired in 2015, Julie didn’t leave us but joined our team of volunteers along with her husband and they have been volunteering ever since. Thank you, Julie; for all that you have done for Malachi House and for your contributions to our 2021 Luck O’ The Irish Car Raffle – congratulations! We are pleased with the outpouring of support we received for this virtual event with close to $100,000 raised. We can’t wait to pick things up right where we left off, in person, at next year’s concert - see you in February of 2022 at the Music Box Supper Club! TOP RIGHT: BRIDIE & HELEN BEING INTERVIEWED FOR THE MERRY PLOUGHBOYS VIRTUAL CONCERT; THE MERRY PLOUGHBOYS WITH TOM ARBEZNIK AND JUDY GHAZOUL HILOW IN 2020. BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT: JULIE SIGNS FOR HER NEW CAR WITH SEAN JOYCE; JULIE’S NEW RIDE; JULIE HUGS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JUDY GHAZOUL HILOW
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2021 VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR:
JIM & MARY ANN KAPPA
We are so pleased to announce this year’s Volunteers of the Year, Mary Ann and Jim Kappa. Mary Ann and Jim have been volunteering at Malachi House for 15 years in the kitchen and front desk, respectively, and have become an integral part of the Malachi House family. These are some of their stories and memories throughout their journey at Malachi House, in their own words. We had been involved in our church community for many years and felt a need to expand outside the St. James Community and yet stay involved with St James. Our faith teaches us we are all made in the image of God. He says to ease your neighbor’s burdens, be of service to others and to be kind. Our neighbors are anyone and everyone we can be of service to. Mary Ann was active in her nursing profession at the time and familiar with Malachi House and their mission. It felt like a good fit for both of us. We started volunteering every other Thursday while we both were working full time. Once retired in 2010 we started to volunteer every Thursday. The biggest challenge was Covid taking us away from our Malachi House Family. It was bad enough we had very little contact with our children and grandchildren but not going to Malachi House every Thursday was a disappointment. The pandemic taught us not to take life, family or friends for granted. A smile, handshake and a hug were greatly missed. Our memories are of the many residents we met while sitting at the dinner table. Their stories were memorable. There was this cute 100 year old lady who grew up in the South with her parents who were slaves. She talked all the time about what it was like living in the South when she was young. The cook at the time overheard her talk about how she missed eating Collard Greens. The cook went out, bought collard greens, and made her a southern dinner along with fried chicken. The smile on her face was not easily forgotten. There was another gentleman, who was a truck driver. He spoke about all his travels and places he’d visited doing what he loved, driving a truck. We loved coming on Thanksgiving and helping serve dinner to residents and families. Thanks again to the two of you – the residents and staff are looking forward to inviting you back into Malachi House again soon to feel your caring presence. PHOTOS AT RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: JIM WITH BISHOP NELSON PEREZ AT LIGHTS FOR LIFE IN 2018; MARY ANN IN THE KITCHEN AT LIGHTS FOR LIFE IN 2018; THE KAPPA’S AT THE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT IN 2019
BOARD SPOTLIGHT:
PATRICIA F. KREWSON, ESQ.
Malachi House Board Member, Trish Krewson is the Chief Human Resources Officer and General Counsel at Signature Health, Inc., mother of 2 children and married to Tom Krewson, Neuroradiologist at MetroHealth. Trish grew up in Warren, Ohio and graduated from Bowling Green State University for her bachelor’s degree and Case Western Reserve University School of Law. She has been a practicing attorney for the past 18 years. The majority of her practice has been devoted to labor and employment law. Before joining Signature Health in 2017, she worked as a partner at two of the largest national labor and employment law firms in the country. When the CEO of Signature Health approached Trish to join his team, she was excited to tackle this new opportunity where she could not just provide advice and counsel, but also be truly part of a leadership team and make strategic and impactful decisions to grow and improve their workforce. At Signature Health, they provide behavioral health, primary care and addiction recovery services to low-income patients. They are actively working to eliminate health disparities in our community. Trish has been on the Malachi House board for the past 8 years. Initially serving on the Associate Board but then quickly moving to the Board of Trustees. She enjoys being able to offer up her skills and talents related to employment law compliance and workplace policies to Malachi House. Trish is thankful for the work that Malachi House does to provide a loving home for people to end their days. “Trish has been a valuable member of the Malachi House Board; she has guided us in many situations with her sound expertise, poignant advice, and calm demeanor.” – Executive Director, Judy Ghazoul Hilow
MALACHI HOUSE 2810 Clinton Avenue Cleveland, OH 44113 (p)216.621.8831 (f )216.621.8841 malachihouse.org
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION UNITED STATES POSTAGE PAID CLEVELAND, OHIO PERMIT # 1174
MAKE A GIFT ONLINE NOW! QUESTIONS? Email us at echupp@malachihouse.org
MISSION STATEMENT Malachi House, created out of a Christian sense of ministry, serves persons who are terminally ill without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin and without cost to the resident or family. This home ministers to individuals who need an available caregiver, who have limited or no financial resources and are in need of special home care in the final stages of life. A trained staff and volunteers provide spiritual, emotional, and physical support with the assistance of a hospice team.
MALACHI HOUSE WISH LIST At this time, Malachi House is not accepting in-person donations of any kind at our doors due to COVID-19 and for the safety and security of our residents, staff, and hospice teams. However, we are still in need of our everyday items that are typically listed on our wish list. To meet these needs we are accepting gift cards or check donations by mail as well as credit card donations online or by phone.
WE ARE IN NEED OF GIFT CARDS FROM: Walmart • Target • Giant Eagle • Save-a-Lot • Home Depot • Gordon Food Service • Dave’s Market • Amazon We are also in need of and will accept Forever Stamps from USPS. QUESTIONS? Email us at echupp@malachihouse.org
CO-FOUNDERS Fr. Paul Hritz (1923-2013) Catherine “Kaki” O’Neill BOARD OF TRUSTEES L. Joseph Lee Chairperson John Schriner Vice-Chairperson Jeffrey D. Neuman, CPA Treasurer Donna M. Skurzak Secretary J. Brandon Walters, MD, FAAHPM Medical Director Matthew A. Becker Joseph C. Granzier Fr. Michael Gurnick Kevin M. Kelly Diane C. Kennedy Patricia F. Krewson, Esq. Ann C. Lutz Jonathan Onk Anthony Rinaldi, Esq. Shareefah Sabur John J. Sullivan Terrence V. Upchurch II ASSOCIATE BOARD David Amos Michael Kelley II Co-Chairs Patsy Coughlin, Esq. Steven Dieringer, CPA Bryan Evans, Esq. Meghan Hanrahan John P. Hausman Brian Johnson Elizabeth Kalfas Taryn Kaplan Stephanie Ristau EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Judy Ghazoul Hilow Malachi House is a 501(c)(3) Corporation