May 2020 Newsletter
Dear Fontbonne Members,
I hope this letter finds each and every one of you and your families healthy while enjoying these warm sunny days. Sadly, we could not all get together for our May General Membership meeting due to the COVID-19. I thought it would be nice to share with you the results of our endeavors since our last Membership Meeting in December. Fontbonne has actively been assisting Ascension St. John, our community, and the planning of our future events.
At our May Board Meeting, Sister Betty shared a beautiful reflection that I would like to share with all of you. It was written by Laura Kelly Fanucci.
When this is over may we never again take for granted a handshake with a stranger, full shelves at the store, conversations with neighbors, a crowded theatre, Friday night out, a routine checkup, the school rush morning, coffee with a friend, the stadium roaring, each deep breath, a boring Tuesday, life itself.
When this ends may we find that we have become more like the people, we wanted to be, we were called to be, we hoped to be, and may we stay that way.
Better for each other, because of the worst. Amen.
To update you on our last Board Meeting and Fontbonne Happenings:
Lorraine Owczarek (newly promoted to Chief Development Officer for Ascension St. John Foundation) and Jennifer Kluge (President, Ascension St John Foundation Board) joined our meeting. They shared with us information about the Associate Hardship Fund and COVID-19 Fund as well as what they have been working on to support Ascension St. John Hospital during the pandemic. Both the Fontbonne and Guild have worked with the Foundation to stock the guest houses for out of town staff, fill laundry bags for the associates, provide a shower trailer, and help coordinate PPE for the hospital. The Foundation has also donated iPads for patients to use to communicate with their families. Additionally, they put together discharge bags for COVID patients leaving the hospital.
Dr. Grady thanked everyone for their help and support, not only with PPE (2 million pieces donated by our community) but with meals and posters and cards for the staff. He said that the community has been excellent. At the time of our meeting on April 21st, Dr. Grady said that the hospital had treated over 1600 patients (some still in hospital) and had discharged over 1300. Ascension as a whole has treated over 7000 patients. Our ER is safe for all care. He stressed
that if you need emergency care you should not hesitate to go to the Ascension St. John Emergency Room – they are ready. We are also ready, as an institution, should we see a second surge in COVID-19 cases as Michigan opens up.
Our White Christmas Ball, “Rejoice and Be Glad” was a resounding success thanks to the energetic and welcoming work of our chair, Madeleine Phillips. Funds from the event went toward the naming of the reception desk in the new pediatric emergency department. The event raised over $117,000.00. Thank you to Madeleine and her outstanding committee for an amazing event.
The Fontbonne Fashion Show, “Fashion for Freedom” and chaired by Camille Cracchiolo, became a non-event event. Everyone that had sent in an underwriting donation, patron donation, advertising donation, raffle prize, or ticket purchase let their donation stand and the event raised over $32,000.00. Funds from the event went toward the DeMars Family Endowment Against Human Trafficking. A huge thanks to Camille and her committee for such a great success for such a great cause.
As I mentioned earlier, the Fontbonne and Guild assisted with acquiring the items needed to fill the laundry bags for our associates. This allowed them to change at work and take their soiled clothes home in a bag to be washed thus limiting exposure for their families. Fontbonne and Guild members were, as they always are, very generous in donating soaps, shampoos, lotions, cookies, power bars, etc. etc. Lisa Caradonna has shared some of the emails that she received form the associates expressing their heartfelt appreciation. Many of us were also able to participate in a car parade with horns blasting to celebrate our associates as well. Gail Howe contacted and orchestrated a project with many of the schools, both public and private, in Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores. I have received tons of letters and cards of appreciation for the associates. I continue to take them to Dr. Grady who then shares them with the staff as he rounds on the units. Dr. Grady says they always bring a smile and are much appreciated. Many are later hung in the hallways for all to see.
Our Le Fontbonne Gift Shop has been open the entire time and doing well. Linda has shared with me that the associates appreciate being able to pick up a card or gift as needed considering the challenges of limited public shopping and increased work hours. Thank you to Linda and her amazing staff for all they do.
Typically, at our May General Membership Meeting we present our annual donation to Ascension St. John Hospital. The Board did vote on our donation amount and I was able to present a check to Dr. Grady on May 15th. Below is a photo that we took, wearing our masks and practicing social distancing. Our donation this year was for $165,000.00. The amount included funds from the White Christmas Ball ($120,000.00), Fashion Show ($35,000.00) and we also donated $5,000 to the Associate Hardship Fund and $5,000.00 to the COVID-19 for Ascension St. John Hospital. The Guild made a $5,000.00 donation to each of these funds as well. Although Sr. Betty was not present for a photo op, we also donated $10,000.00 to the Sisters of St. Joseph.
