Hello Friends,
I hope you are well. It does seem like yesterday when I reached out to you last April regarding our Misericordia 2021 Candy Days but another year truly has gone by. I thought after a couple of years of a virtual Candy Days I would finally get used to not waking up at 6:00 am to head downtown. But I must tell you that I do miss it. I miss seeing how kind people are to our residents who join me at Union Station; I miss thanking all of our friends who would drop a donation in the collection can both in the morning and even sometimes again on their way home; and I miss getting the calls from our Candy Day coordinators who would coordinate thousands of volunteers throughout the Chicagoland area. What can I say….after 30+ years of an annual routine, you get used to it!!
THERE IS EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR......HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS? THE GREENHOUSE INN WILL BE REOPENING FOR SUNDAY BRUNCH/BREAKFAST STARTING THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 24TH.
Typically, Sunday Brunches were represented by our Sibling Organization but all family members and friends are welcome (if they are 16 or older and fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19). We are asking any interested volunteers to come and help staff the day and support this great volunteer opportunity.
The newly renovated Greenhouse Inn is a fun way to meet other siblings, friends and truly make a difference. We are only asking 6 hours of your time and brunch is included. We really need your help and we are hoping you can choose a Sunday, or perhaps a few, throughout the year to volunteer your time.
Know how grateful we are for all you do!
by Ann Wilson
Mary Ann Goode has been a Mis employee, on and off, for the last 24 years. Initially a DSP, she then became a supervisor and director. Following that, she took off seventeen years to raise her four kids. A dedicated runner and tennis enthusiast, she also makes a mean fruit pie, brownie and cookie. (Watch out block club bakers!)
Mary Ann has now returned to Misericordia as the leader of PHI and Fit For Success, training initiatives that focus on professional development, team-building and effective communications among staff In residential departments, Therapy, Social Services, and Recreation and Leisure.
During April, Misericordia is recognizing the following departments with Appreciation Events:
We are overjoyed to announce that Sr. Rosemary Connelly is being recognized by the City of Chicago for Women's History Month. The City of Chicago honors notable women who have pioneered a path of excellence in their given fields. Don't forget to look up - Sr. Rosemary will be on digital billboards throughout the city, honoring the work she has done for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for the more than 50 years! Thank you, Sr. Rosemary. We are honored to call you our own.
Click here to read about Sister Rosemary's recognition
A Special Invitation to do two of your favorite things at once!
On Saturday, April 23, Misericordia invites you and all your family and friends to the Cubs-Pittsburgh Pirates game at 1:20 p.m. at beautiful Wrigley Field – with a Special Ticket Offer.
When you purchase your tickets through this link, $4 from each ticket will be donated to Misericordia's Candy Days Fundraiser to support our children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Click here to purchase tickets!
Thank you for supporting Misericordia during our Candy Days season – and enjoy the game!
Tickets for Cubs games at Wrigley Field will be delivered exclusively as mobile tickets via the MLB Ballpark app. To view and use tickets log in to your existing MLB.com account in the MLB Ballpark App or create a new account with the same email address used to purchase your ticket(s).
Download the app today - Click here.
Dear Friends and Families,
Welcome to the 36th Annual Candy Days scheduled for April 29-30, 2022. This year’s event will be virtual, just like last year. We want to thank everyone for the support you provided in 2021 when we raised over
$2.6 million! Last year, families and friends established 520 fundraising pages that reached nearly 20,000 donors – an all-time record.
Candy Days is our largest fundraising event. Your fundraising family page has been a key contributor to this event. In this current environment, we will continue to need a significant participation, “virtually” by our families to reach our annual Candy Days goal of over $2 million. This year I truly believe that once again we can all rally together to reach and possibly surpass this amount if everyone, including Coordinators, Volunteers, Misericordia families, non-Misericordia families, etc., can make it a priority to create a page.
March 22, 2022
Hello Friends:
Hope you have been well. This Thursday in Springfield, there will be a hearing before the House Human Services Appropriations Committee to discuss HB4832, which would increase funding/rates for direct care workers/providers across Illinois.
Please follow the directions below to complete the witness slip, so the committee knows how important this funding is for essential direct care staff throughout Illinois, especially at Misericordia.
Thank you for taking the time to advocate for our amazing staff. Know that you are all in my prayers during this Lenten season.
Sincerely,
Father Jack
** To file the witness slip, please click on the following link and follow the directions below:
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