May 9, 2022
Dear Families:
We hope you had a great Mother’s Day and are enjoying (and will enjoy!!) this nice stretch of beautiful weather. It is great to see so many of you in the Greenhouse Inn Restaurant and we also appreciate seeing you and other patrons at the new Hearts & Flour Bakery and Café down the street at 6130 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Thank you for all you continue to do to make our 36th Annual Candy Days another great success. Our online totals are approaching $1,850,000 (toward our $2 million goal) after more than 10,721 donations via 460 pages. We are so blessed and hope that donations will continue to come in throughout the month of May. You can still create a page if you would like and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance. There was a short period of time on Friday afternoon when the site was experiencing delays and we apologize for any inconvenience.
During May, Misericordia is recognizing the following departments with Appreciation Events, including catered luncheons, raffles and employee gifts:
McAuley families: please consider writing notes of thanks and/or appreciation to the McAuley Nurses and Secretary; Dr. Pitlosh; the Teacher, Dietician and Respiratory Aide; and the Dental Clinic. We would appreciate you indicating that your notes are for the McAuley Nursing Staff.
by Kathryn and John Moery
With overflowing anticipation and wide-eyed wonder, we entered the magnificent Misericordia Hearts and Flour Bakery and Cafe at 6130 North Ravenswood under its banner 'Welcome’ sign. On our way in, we were warmly greeted outside by four newly-hired baristas, Ken, Bekah, Dylan and Connor, who offered us a cup of the featured Collectivo coffees – Blue Heeler or Toro Blend Espresso – a brochure with a menu of all that awaits inside, and a $1.00 off coupon for our next visit. Until its opening on April 26, these ambassadors will be relocating to various sites throughout the neighborhood to herald the opening of this great new asset to the community. Sitting on the former site of a run-down strip mall, this pearl of a place provides community-based employment for 10 Misericordia residents. Flowing from their current campus locations, the upper floors of this architectural beauty will soon house an Art Studio overlooking the expansive second-floor outer terrace and a new coffee packaging facility on the third floor.
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:
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