Malachi House Spring 2024 Newsletter

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Spring is here and we could not be more grateful for the sunshine coming through our windows at Malachi House! We look forward to more warm weather and the bright colors and smells of fresh blooms coming from Kaki’s Garden. What a special yearly reminder of our co-founders’, Fr. Paul Hritz - 1923-2013 & Kaki O’Neill - 1933-2023, and their continuous love and support!

As we approach this new season, we feel a deep sense of renewal. We are always grateful for our supporters and the great sense of community that has developed around our mission and values. For over 36 years, we have been a steady pillar of the Cleveland community, caring for those in need who are terminally ill. We continue to educate and collaborate with the hospice community, which serves as our referral source for the medical needs of our residents.

We appreciate the generous support of individuals, corporations, and foundations whose contributions lead to successful events, print collateral and in-kind donations. This support provides us with the profound ability to succeed.

In our renewal, we have successfully fulfilled our mission by serving 15 residents at any given time. Our dedicated staff are a true blessing to us, as they provide love and care daily. Their teamwork with one another continues to fill Malachi House with purpose and dignity.

In this new season, as you start to prepare for the rest of your year, we hope you add us to your calendars – whether by attending an event, volunteering with us, or stopping by to learn more.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to care for and love our residents. We look forward to seeing you soon!

John Schriner

Judy Ghazoul Hilow Board Chair Executive Director

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MALACHI HOUSE RESIDENT: MARJORIE

Many thanks to Teisha Jackson for sharing memories of her grandmother, Marjorie.

Marjorie’s love for art and music began at a very early age. Marjorie shared with Teisha the memory of her mother recounting how even in her crib, Marjorie would be singing along to the music that filled their home. Marjorie sang in church choirs throughout her life. In the 1950s, Marjorie was a member of a singing group, “The DaVons”. They performed on the Gene Carroll Show during amateur hour. One of Teisha’s cherished memories are the times spent cooking with her grandmother, while Marjorie sang gospel tunes.

Marjorie’s artistic abilities extended far beyond her singing. Teisha spoke of her grandmother’s involvement in art and music programs at school, as well as her impressive athleticism. In Marjorie’s art, she used colored pencils and drew inspiration from pictures she had seen to create her own masterpieces.

Marjorie was more than just a talented singer and artist. She was a bright light that brought an immense sense of joy to those around her. This was evident by her colorful and vibrant room at Malachi House. Thank you Teisha, for sharing these stories and highlighting some beautiful memories of Marjorie.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR: DEACON LEO BISTAK, BEVERLY LUND, MARTHA WRIGHT

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Fr. Paul Hritz Volunteer of the Year Award: Deacon Leo Bistak, Beverly Lund, and Martha Wright (and therapy dog, Xena). We are endlessly grateful for their contributions.

DEACON LEO BISTAK has been a Malachi House volunteer since early 2016. He first learned about Malachi House through his diaconal assignment to St. Malachi Parish which began in August 2015. His primary role is that of being a pastoral visitor to all residents and the staff, as well. He visits Malachi House two mornings a week, prays with residents according to their desires, and on Sundays he stops in long enough to give communion to any practicing Catholics who would like to receive.

His favorite part of the Malachi House experience is visiting residents, being greeted by their smiles and when they are happy to know that he is interested in what is going on with them.

Deacon Leo is almost 82. He has been married to his wife, Nancy for 56 years, and has been an ordained deacon for nearly 41 years. They have two daughters and one grandson who is completing his first year at University of Chicago. Deacon Leo enjoys gardening, cooking, reading and occasionally doing artwork. His friendly reminder to all is that 82 is only a number!

BEVERLY (BEV) LUND has been a Malachi House volunteer since the Spring of 2015 after her retirement. She first learned about Malachi House in 2004, when she entered formation to become a Lutheran deaconess.

One of her training requirements was field work. When a coworker spoke of her volunteer time at Malachi House, Bev decided to visit and knew as soon as she entered the front door that this was where she was to do her fieldwork - visiting and providing pastoral care for the residents.

Bev’s primary volunteer role is helping out in the kitchen but what is most rewarding for her is visiting with the residents once her kitchen duties are completed.

Bev is a consecrated deaconess in the Lutheran tradition called to serve Christ in the church and in the world. She lives in Shaker Heights and has been married to her husband, Paul, for 54 years; together they have two children and two grandchildren. Bev enjoys theater, traveling, vegetable gardening and rarely misses a morning at the gym!

MARTHA WRIGHT (AND XENA) has been a Malachi House volunteer off and on since the 1990s.

For the past year, Martha has been visiting residents with her therapy dog, Xena, a German Shepherd. She previously volunteered with another therapy dog, and before that as an assistant in caregiving. She has enjoyed everything she’s done at Malachi House and has always been impressed by what a caring and compassionate place it is.

Martha and her husband live in Cleveland Heights, where they both grew up and returned later in life. And a special shout out to Xena! Xena did Search and Rescue (wilderness live-find) with the Ohio Search Dog Association for 5 years, and she is a world traveler (she has been to Spain)!

22ND MALACHI HOUSE BENEFIT CONCERT

Many thanks to our supporters who attended the 2024 Malachi House Benefit Concert featuring Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones this past January.

Special thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, Board of Trustees, Associate Board, Staff, The New Barleycorn, Windows on the River, and everyone that made this event a great success.

And a huge congratulations to our honoree, Sean Gormley (Gormley’s Pub)!

We had an incredible evening with everyone in attendance and we are forever grateful for your generous contributions. Sláinte!

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Spring Refresh

A huge thank you to volunteer Steve Brincka for bringing fresh coats of paint throughout Malachi House. Steve began volunteering in 2018 and has since become a beloved member of our community.

Steve’s commitment reflects the warmth and care of Malachi House. Thank you, Steve, for embodying our mission of service and love towards our residents.

New Call System

Malachi House is thrilled to announce an exciting upgrade to our call system in partnership with Alta Protection Services, aimed at improving our response time and efficiency. This advanced solution features high-tech capabilities, allowing us to track the duration of activated call lights, providing invaluable data to enhance our responsiveness to residents’ needs.

The new call system will cover all areas of our facility, including the basement and smoke porch, ensuring staff can promptly respond from anywhere within Malachi House, enhancing resident safety and well-being. We are confident this upgrade will elevate the quality of care we provide. Our sincere thanks to Alta Protection Services for their partnership in implementing this state-of-the-art solution.

MALACHI HOUSE

2810 Clinton Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44113 (p)216.621.8831 (f)216.621.8841

malachihouse.org

QUESTIONS? Email us at vwilliams@malachihouse.org

WISH LIST

NEEDED ITEMS

• Laundry detergent (liquid & HE only)

• Tall kitchen trash bags (13 gallon)

• Toilet paper

MISSION STATEMENT

Malachi House, created out of a Christian sense of ministry, serves persons who are terminally ill without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin and without cost to the resident or family. This home ministers to individuals who need an available caregiver, who have limited or no financial resources and are in need of special home care in the final stages of life. A trained staff and volunteers provide spiritual, emotional, and physical support with the assistance of a hospice team.

• Bath wipes

• Dishwasher detergent (liquid; no pods)

• Dishwasher rinse aid

• Coffee - ground, regular, decaf (no flavors)

• Single-serve liquid creamers

• Single-serve sugar packets

• First-class postage stamps

• Bleach (Clorox & Clorox clean up)

• Windex

• Jell-O snack cups (plain; no fruit)

• Pudding snack cups

• Tuna, chicken (canned, in water)

• Canned spinach and greens

• Salad dressing (bottled, italian & ranch)

• Ketchup, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, barbecue sauce

• Gravy (canned, jars and dry mixes)

• Boxed potatoes, au gratin, scalloped & instant mashed.

• Antibacterial/bleach wipes

• Cake, brownie, & pancake mix

• Cake frosting

• Paper placemats (10” x 14” for meal trays; available at GFS)

• Boxes of tissues (Kleenex/ other)

• Paper towels

• Foil

• Ziploc bags

OFFICE SUPPLIES

• Multi-purpose copier paper (8½” x 11” white, 20-lb., not hole-punched)

NON-PERISHABLE FOODS

• Sugar (granulated plus brown)

• Hot cereal – oatmeal

• Egg noodles

• Spaghetti sauce

• Kool Aid

• Spices (pepper, onion powder, garlic powder & adobo)

MONETARY DONATIONS

• Checks made payable to Malachi House

• Credit card donations online at www.malachihouse.org

** GIFT CARDS **

• Giant Eagle, Walmart, Amazon,

• Save-a-lot, Home Depot, Hobby Lobby/Michaels

POP/WATER/JUICE

• Coke, Pepsi, Ginger ale, and Sprite (only). No diet

• Orange (no pulp), apple & grape

• Ensure or Boost, chocolate & vanilla

CO-FOUNDERS

Fr. Paul Hritz (1923-2013)

Catherine “Kaki” O’Neill (1933-2023)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

John J. Schriner Chairperson

Matthew A. Becker Vice-Chairperson

Jeffrey D. Neuman, CPA

Treasurer

Donna M. Skurzak

Secretary

J. Brandon Walters, MD, FAAHPM Medical Director

David Amos

Bryan Evans, Esq.

Joseph C. Granzier Fr. Michael Gurnick

Meghan Hanrahan

Kevin M. Kelly

Patricia F. Krewson, Esq. L. Joseph Lee

Ann C. Lutz

Jonathan Onk

Anthony Rinaldi, Esq.

Mary Lou V. Stricklin

John J. Sullivan

Terrence V. Upchurch II

EMERITUS

Diane C. Kennedy

ASSOCIATE BOARD

Michael Kelley II, CFP Chair

Patsy Coughlin, Esq. Secretary

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Judy Ghazoul Hilow

Malachi House is a