Name: Kristy Hunley, Employee Relations Coordinator How long have you worked here? Six-and-a-half years. What made you decide to work here? I actually always wanted to be in the hospice field but I’m not clinical so I didn’t really think there was anything out there for me. But when I worked for Metro Medical, which was the local DME (durable medical equipment provider) that worked with Angela Hospice a lot, I talked to people here almost every single day. They always seemed so happy and so fulfilled with the position that they had, no matter what it was. I kept saying, “That’s what I want.” So that’s kind of what brought me over here. How had you heard of Angela Hospice? I heard of them a lot when I was working for the DME…I kind of always knew they were in this area. When Sister Giovanni started to look for donations for Angela Hospice, before it all even existed, she was standing outside at 5 Mile and Middlebelt, which was Arbor Drugs at that point, and m...

Name: Ellen LaGory How long have you been a volunteer? Three years. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? Helping Kristy Hunley in HR. I do filing, whatever she needs done. Used to do the Caregiver Suppers. What made you decide to become a volunteer? I had started hearing about hospice when I was in high school. It was a fairly new concept then and it just made so much sense to me. Then as an adult – we lived right here in Livonia for 25 years – we were donors. I came to events but then when I neared retirement I decided I wanted to spend some time volunteering. So that’s when I went through the training. Ellen volunteers primarily in HR. Why Angela Hospice? I heard such good things about it. Living right here in the community I read more about it than I would have outside of the community. I just had a lot of respect for Sister Giovanni. What is your favorite part about volunteering? I guess just knowing that I...

This year’s Light Up a Life Gala will have guests feeling like VIPs! And what better way to feel like a superstar than winning an exclusive raffle. One winner will receive the Lady’s White Gold 18K Beloved Pendant by Hearts of Fire and 20” adjustable chain (pictured above, enlarged to show detail). The necklace is valued at $3,650 and was generously donated by Orin Jewelers of Garden City. Tickets for the exclusive raffle are $20 each, three for $50 or eight for $100. The drawing will take place on Friday, October 28, and you must be present to win. Tickets will only be sold at the event. For more details on Light Up a Life click here: http://www.angelahospice.org/events/light-up-a-life/

Name: Helen Balmforth, Events Coordinator What made you decide to work here? I had run my own company for about 10 years doing event planning. I had called Deirdre (Stemmelen) over at Laurel Manor, as we were planning an event, and by coincidence she mentioned to me that Angela Hospice was hiring an event planner. It felt like that was sort of my tap on the shoulder move, as I’ve always sort of lived and worked in this square mile. I went to St. Edith for grade school, Ladywood High School, went to Madonna (University) for college, and my most recent contract work – prior to working here – was at Ladywood High School. So when I was deciding if I wanted to continue doing contract work or go full-time…and that sort of fell into my lap, it felt like it was divine intervention, and here I am. I called, interviewed the next day, and was hired the day after that. How had you heard of Angela Hospice? I’ve lived in this area my whole life. I’ve had a handful o...

Last week was Mission & Heritage Week for the Felician Sisters, and we took part in some fun activities to celebrate the week. The special week began on Oct. 4, which is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi and ended on Oct. 10, the feast day of the Blessed Mary Angela, who founded the Felician Sisters. This year's theme was "Extending Mercy, Restoring Hope." So what did we do? Find out below! Annual St. Francis Humane   Society Drive:  Throughout the week we collected items for animals, such as empty toilet paper rolls, peanut butter, pet toys, paper towels, and more. On Friday there was a Pet Blessing at Madonna University where guests were able to get their pets blessed. Lisa Norton (left) and Barb Brown (right) with some of the many items our staff donated. Scavenger Hunt:  Angela Hospice staff members got to take part in a scavenger hunt to test their knowledge about the Felician Sisters.  Lady Jacoba cookies:  A few of our team member...

After using Angela Hospice’s bereavement services, Pat Zygner wanted to give back. Little did she know her giving back was about to save Angela Hospice thousands of dollars. “The bereavement office helped me out at the worst time of my life, so I just felt like I really wanted to do something for them,” Pat said. Pat with one of the embroidered angels. Pat started volunteering in the bereavement office three years ago, helping in any way she could. Then during Christmas she wanted to do a little something extra for Angela Hospice Bereavement Social Worker Joan Lee, who Pat had gone to for counseling after her husband died. So she made her an embroidered angel. Then Joan called Pat with an idea. “She said, ‘Can you make 100 to 120 a month?’” Pat laughed. “I almost fell over cause I thought, ‘No, each one takes 20 minutes.’ “Your machine has a stitch count – just like a car has gas – and I thought that would put an end to my machine, all those stitches.” Plus, wh...

At Angela Hospice we are gearing up for some great fundraising events. These annual events play a vital role in supporting Angela Hospice's charitable programs -- including free grief counseling for the community, pediatric and prenatal hospice, and special initiatives for veterans in our care.  Through ticket sales, donations, raffles, and auctions, our supporters provide high-quality care for hospice patients and their loved ones. If you'd like to help by contributing an item, service, or gift certificate personally, or through your business, we'd be very grateful! Here are some ideas that might work for you -- or call us with your idea! Are you a frequent flyer? Airline miles or airline tickets are on our list. Destinations: vacation homes, rentals, summer vacation spots or golf courses. Tickets to Tigers, Wings, Pistons or the Lions.  If you have a favorite restaurant, ask them to donate a gift card. Experience certificates: hot air balloon rides, ...