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!