Your Reflection Week

Do you love that December 25^th, Christmas Day, fell on a Sunday this year?  I do because it gives us a whole week after the celebration to do some quiet reflections before the rush of a new year is upon us. There really are no expectations for this week. Many people are on vacation and the skeleton crews that are working are saying things like “Let’s address that in the new year.”  We really have a week to reflect on the past year and make plans for the new. 

What happened to you, and what did you make happen, in 2011? What have you done to make the world a better place?  Someone’s life better?  Your own life better? What made you truly happy? What made you truly sad? What have you loss? What have you gained?  Too much wasted time you would like to have back?  Spent too much? Didn’t donate enough? What would you do differently if you could have a  Do-Over last year?  These are the questions I asked myself this morning as I took a quiet walk around my neighborhood.  What a blessing to have this week to ask ourselves these questions. 

Last week our volunteers shared with me reports of how appreciative the residents they visit were with the personal Christmas gifts they received from their own Betty Brewer’s Angel. This personal attention is what sets Betty Brewer’s Angels apart from other visiting organizations.  We establish a one-on-one relationship with a resident living in a long-term care facility that has no one else visiting with them.  We get to know them and what they need. A personal relationship that celebrates that individual! 

When you are assessing your 2010 this week, I suggest if you want more happiness in your life, then you could share your life with someone that has no one. Email or call me! Betty Brewer’s Angels can help you make this happen.

The Best Gift!

During this week before Christmas, Betty Brewer’s Angels will be giving gifts they  have chosen specifically for the residents they visit who live in long-term care facilities.   The gifts range from sweaters to robes to special treats but the biggest gift the Angels are giving this holiday season, and all year long, is their gift of companionship. Social interaction plays a vital part of human beings’ mental and physical health.  One of our Angels is out of town so last week I stopped in to see the resident she normally visits. When I commented to the resident that she looked healthier than the last time I saw her, she told me it was because of her Betty Brewer’s Angel!  The resident elaborated by stating that it gave her hope to have someone so interested in her.  Thank you to Betty Brewer’s Angels for giving the gift of you!

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a volunteer, please email me at bettybrewersangels@wowway.com. 

Feeling overwhelmed?

Shopping still to be done, cards still to be sent, cookies to be baked……It is December 12^th and we are working our ways through the holiday season. Throw in serving at your place of worship and/or volunteering for various organizations, relatives coming to visit and it is easy to become overwhelmed. We sometimes find ourselves wishing the holiday would either be postponed for a month or perhaps (sadly) not happen at all!  While this is a human response, I suggest that we all take a deep breath and be grateful that we are able to do these things. There are many people, young and old, who live in long-term care facilities that would love to have one more season of being involved in the very activities we are complaining about.

I have spent the last few weeks going to every facility Betty Brewer’s Angels visit and I have come away with the thought that I would like to clone myself because there are soooooo many residents that would love to have a person take a special interest in them. That is what Betty Brewer’s Angels do…..we establish a one-on-one relationship with a resident in a long-term care facility. We brighten their days and the funny thing is that our days are brightened as a result!  Since science has not come up with a way to clone humans yet, I am asking you if you, or someone you know, would be interested in becoming an Angel!  Call me at 614-309-4677, email bettybrewersangels@wowway.com or simply comment on this blog.  

I took a break last night and watched the Hallmark movie of Mitch Albom’s non-fiction book “Have a Little Faith”.  It is a story of faith, hope, service, and tolerance for others. You need some inspiration this holiday season?  While you are taking that deep breath I suggested above, watch this movie and gain some perspective on life. It will recharge you!  

KROGER HELPS BETTY BREWER'S ANGELS

Now when you swipe your Kroger's card at their stores to obtain discounts, you also help Betty Brewer's Angels!  We are excited to be a part of their Community Rewards Program. Simply register your card at krogercommunityrewards.com. When you do, you will not only be helping us but you will be able to view your Kroger’s weekly ad, your Kroger Plus Card points, see what’s happening at your local store, and more. Thank you for helping us help residents of long-term care facilities!

You can simply go to the Kroger's site and register by following instructions, but to make it easier for you here are the step-by-step instructions. After you have completed the steps, please register your card by emailing it to www.bettybrewersangels@wowway.com with Kroger’s in the subject line. If you do not yet have a Kroger Plus card, they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO REGISTER WITH THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

• Click on Sign In/Register at krogercommunityrewards.com
• If you are are a new online customers, click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
• Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
• You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
• Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
• Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
• Update or confirm your information.
• Enter name of organization (Betty Brewer’s Angels), select organization from list and click on confirm.
• To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
• REMEMBER, purchases will not count until after you register your card.
• Do you use your phone number at the register?  Call 877-576-7587 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count. 

Check back here next Monday for more Betty Brewer's Angels news! 

Our PRE-New Year's Resolution!

Created this blog some time ago and then it just kinda sat there.  Today is the day resolve to update this blog every Monday! 

 So please check back here weekly for updates about Betty Brewer’s Angels and the wonderful work the Angels are doing every day in Central Ohio. Simply click on “Join this site” button on right hand side of page and follow directions to receive an email reminder about blog updates every Monday.

In December’s newsletter the Angels will be sharing stories about their fulfilling experiences visiting with residents of long-term care facilities!  

Partnering with Macy's Shop for a Cause!

Betty Brewer's Angels is proud to annouce they are partnering with Macy's Shop for a Cause. You still have time to purchase a Shopping Pass for $5.00 which gives you a 25% discount on many, including sale items, at Macy's on Saturday, August 27th.   I will be at Eastland Shopping Center today (August 26) at the entrance of Macy's to the mall, between 11 am and 2 pm. Stop by and see me and purchase your Shopping Pass.
    

 Betty Brewer’s Angels Partners with Macy’s for Sixth Annual

   Shop For A Cause Day - Saturday August 27th

           Macy’s helps local charity raise funds and awareness for important causes

Macy’s will partner with Betty Brewer’s Angels to invite customers to participate in Macy’s sixth annual “Shop for a Cause” charity shopping event. Macy’s 2011 Shop for a Cause will take place on August 27, 2011; customers can purchase tickets now from a Betty Brewer’s Angels volunteer.  Macy’s Shop for a Cause is a unique one-day-only shopping event created to support local charities’ fundraising efforts, which has helped raised more than $38 million for charities across the country since 2006. 

By purchasing a shopping pass to the event from Betty Brewer’s Angels volunteers, customers support Betty Brewer’s Angels while enjoying a day of spectacular discounts, entertainment, special events. Pass holders will enjoy special discounts on most regular, sale and clearance purchases all day.   Some exclusions apply.

“Macy’s is committed to giving back to our local communities.  Their annual Shop for a Cause Program, which has raised more than $38 million for local and national charities in the past five years.

About Betty Brewer’s Angels

 Often the most outgoing, well-adjusted residents who live in long term care facilities have a support system made up of family and friends. But there are many residents who seldom, if ever, have visitors. These lonely residents are the people with whom Betty Brewer’s Angels volunteers establish a personal one-on-one relationship, by consistent weekly visits. 

By focusing on one resident the volunteer is able to improve the resident’s quality of life, because that resident comes to realize that someone cares just about him or her as an individual. This type of attention makes anyone feel special, but the feeling is even more profound for people who are in unfamiliar surroundings.  “The volunteers often hear from the facilities’ personnel that the residents talk about the visits long after the Betty Brewer’s Angels have left for that week”, said Cheryl Newman, President of Betty Brewer’s Angels.

How to Become A Betty Brewer's Angels Volunteer!

Are you interested in becoming a Betty Brewer's Angels volunteer?  There are four easy steps!

1.  Decide which facility you would like to visit. We recommend you pick one close to your home or work.

2.  Call me at 614-309-4677 or email me at bettybrewersangels@wowway.com to ask any questions you may have and to tell me which facility you are interested in.

3.  You and I decide on the most convenient date for you to have your fingerprints electronically taken.     Sometimes a facility also wants a test for TB. (It is easy and not painful.)  A Betty Brewer's Angels    Representative accompanies you to these tests. We also will give you a copy of the clearances for your    records.

4.  Once you have passed the Security and TB (if needed) tests, we schedule a date for you and a Betty     Brewer's Angels Representative to meet at the facility to introduce you to the staff,  to give you  your Betty Brewer's smock, and your welcome packet.  Your training is also done at that time. And guess what?!  You and the Betty Brewer's Angels Representative together actually visit with residents that very day so you can see how easy and rewarding being a Betty Brewer's Angel is.

That's it!!!! So easy and you will notice you are NEVER alone in the process. A Betty Brewer's Angels Representative is WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. 

Come grow with us! We have found that not only the lives of residents are changed but the volunteers have reported their own lives also have changed for the better.

Why Have A Volunteer Organization?

We have been asked why an association is needed as any individual can go into long-term care facilities to volunteer by himself/herself.

It is a simple fact that volunteers who are not part of an organization tend to quit more often when they encounter a problem than volunteers who are a part of an organization.

Betty Brewer’s Angels provides emotional and educational support to its volunteers and acts as a go-between them and the facilities where they volunteer.

 If you have a question or a concern, as a Betty Brewer's Angel Volunteer you just have to ask one person, the Betty Brewer Angel Volunteer Coordinator, and he/she will take care of it for you. No running around trying to find an employee who may or may not be there that day. No wondering if this is something you should be talking with the facility about at all.  Just one phone call about any concern and your Betty Brewer's Angel Volunteer Coordinator will handle it for you and report back to you. 

You receive ongoing emotional and educational support in the form of Open Letters to Volunteers which tackle difficult subjects of dementia, your role as a volunteer, etc.  Also if you have questions about where to find more information on a particular subject we are there to get the information for you or to provide you references.

If you need advice or just want to talk about your volunteer experience we are there for you.

So while you are volunteering by yourself,  at the day and hour you want, you have a whole organization supporting you.

And, hey, you receive a nifty blue Betty Brewer's Angel smock to wear! Not to mention an invite to a  lovely Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon!    

And from the founders of Betty Brewer's Angels perspective, we want the organization and the good work our volunteers do to continue long after we are gone from this earth.  

If you have any questions, please email me or post a comment.  Next blog will be about what it takes to become a Betty Brewer's Angel volunteer. I love this question because I have the answer to it! : - )

The Story of How Betty Brewer's Angels Came To Be

　

Betty Brewer

With all of Betty Brewer’s gifts her greatest gift was that of being a true friend. She would know when to offer advice, know when to listen, and know when it was time to take action. While Betty was awaiting news of heart surgery she temporarily resided at Lutheran Village. While there Betty had many visitors but she noticed that there were residents that had no one. In true “Betty fashion” she decided that after she recovered from her surgery she would return to Lutheran Village, or another facility, to volunteer as a friend to these residents.

Betty died unexpectedly on April 22, 2008 while waiting for her heart surgery. In wondering why God would take Betty home at a time when she still had a plan to do more good here on earth, one of Betty’s friends had the revelation that Betty’s plan could still be fulfilled, and fulfilled on even a larger scale. From that revelation Betty Brewer’s Angels was formed to fulfill Betty’s last wish of reaching out to the friendless who are residing in long term living facilities.

Tomorrow's Blog will be the reasons it is better to be part of the Betty Brewer's Angels organization rather than volunteering on your own.

About Us

Hi Everyone! Thought I would keep this simple to begin with and tell you about the purpose of Betty Brewer’s Angels. 

We are a charity created to reduce the sense of social isolation and depression among residents of long-term care facilities by recruiting and training volunteers to enter into and engage in sustained, individual, Interpersonal relationships with identified residents.

We are a 501 (c)(3)charity consisting of volunteers dedicated to the sole purpose of developing genuine, lasting, personal connections with these individuals.

Tomorrow I will post how it all began!