Volunteers and board members of Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties assemble for a photo in late 2022. Pictured are (l-r) Lynn Walls, Rubeanna Brown, Margo Boyd, Diane Welker, Laverne McCombs, Todd Regester, Steve Cozart, Laurie Cozart and Michele Kraut.
Four County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of a new agency fund—Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties—and looks forward to helping the non-profit achieve their goal of providing an important end-of-life care option for local residents.
As their name suggests, volunteers are committed to creating a guest home, located in the vicinity of eastern Genesee or western Lapeer County, to give individuals receiving hospice care a home-like place to live out their last days, instead of a hospital.
“Not everyone can go home to receive hospice care,” said Diane Welker, one of the group’s founders who’s also a retired palliative care nurse practitioner. Family members often have work or other commitments and oftentimes, an elderly spouse might be unable to provide care due to their own health problems.
Currently Welker and fellow board members are collecting donations and hosting fundraisers with the hopes of securing a facility for purchase or rent. They plan to host no more than five patients at a time and need a space that will allow for the usage of medical equipment, particularly stretchers or gurneys.
Individuals of the guest home won’t be charged and will have their choice from more than a dozen area hospice agencies for care. The home will be staffed by caregivers and volunteers who will be focused on caring for both the individual and their families. Priority will be given to those considered in the greatest need of care.
In addition to finding their first home, Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties also wants to grow their board and welcomes individuals who have an interest, understanding and passion for what the agency is doing.
“We need people who believe in our mission and bring needed skills to the table,” Welker said, noting they could benefit from additional board members with experience in finance.
At this time, volunteer help with things like fundraising would also be appreciated.
Any potential board members or volunteers are encouraged to reach out to Welker at dwelker.hospicehomes@gmail.com.
For more information about Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties, visit hospicehomes.org or find them on Facebook at ‘Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties.’
To donate to Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties agency fund at Four County Community Foundation, visit https://shorturl.at/arP07 or send a check to 4CCF, PO Box 539, Almont MI 48003.
Four County Community Foundation is committed to serving the current and emerging needs of our local community and is dedicated to bringing together human and financial resources to support progressive ideas in education, health, community, youth and adult programs. The foundation serves portions of Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties. To learn more about Four County Community Foundation, visit www.4ccf.org or call (810) 798-0909.