Volume 1 | December 1, 2019
Fast Fact ~ The Compassion Home has served 36 guest, 16 veterans, 200 family members and 425 visitors Dorothy's Giving Story 2019
T he end of life is part of living...
Written by: Dorothy

W hen the time comes, everyone hopes to die at home but too often the terminally ill do not have the resources or support to do so. Four years ago, a small group of dedicated nurses in our rural county recognized the need to establish a free location that would provide a peaceful, comfortable home setting for the terminally ill.

These women have worked countless hours to recruit volunteers and obtain donations in order to make their vision a reality. Their passion and dedication have inspired over 140 people (including me) to volunteer their time and talents to the project.
In the summer of 2018, the Newaygo County Compassion Home opened its first home. Since then the two-bedroom home has served 36 guests, 16 of which were veterans, and has provided compassionate support for over 200 family members at no charge. But the need is greater than can be served in the current location, so the Board members have an even bigger vision and work has begun to renovate a second home that will be able to serve an additional four guests at a time. Both current operations and the renovations are entirely funded by donations. That take a lot of faith – faith in the community to provide its time and talent, and faith in generous donors to continue to support the mission.

I am continually inspired by the dedication of all who volunteer their time to make the end of life easier for the guests of the Newaygo County Compassion Home, but especially the continued dedication of the original group of nurses who have worked so hard to provide a loving and homey environment for the terminally ill.

And if you ask them why they do it, they will just say because “the end of life is part of living”.
Please support the Newaygo County Compassion Home by voting for Dorothy's Giving Story everyday for the next few weeks! The story with the most votes could win up to 10k! To vote toggle over image of hands and it will direct you to the voting page.

It takes a community!
Fremont Home Progress
On the surface, end of life care may appear sad and hopeless; however, those of us who are fortunate enough to work with the dying know that there is beauty and hope. At first appearance our Fremont location also appeared sad and hopeless, but it is being transformed into a beautiful home to help alleviate the overwhelming task of caring for a terminally ill loved one.

Richard Drilling of Drilling Builders is the construction manager for this project. Rich has years of experience in the construction business and he also has a unique understanding of the Compassion Home mission with a background in nursing.

The project began with a few volunteer “demo” days. It was amazing to watch so many people volunteer to tear out old drywall, pull boards and nails and clean it up to get it ready for renovation. The before and after pictures will be Chip and Joanna Gaines worthy! The roof has been replaced, windows replaced, exterior walls reinforced, spray foam insulation throughout and interior walls are currently being constructed.

The Fremont Compassion Home will create four additional beds, a spacious living room, kitchen, dining room, barrier free shower, utility room and chapel.
The space will also provide a much-needed office space and a conference area for education, family conferences and possible community grief support.
The Compassion Home is so grateful to the following businesses that have helped get the Fremont Home started:

Drilling Builders, LLC
Versatile Roofing Systems, Inc
DV Masonry, LLC
O.T.R. Hauling, LLC
Brant Electric, LLC
Northern Michigan Spray Foam
Universal Polymers Corporation
Acura Dynamic

If you know these businesses, please let them know what an amazing thing they are doing for our Newaygo County Community! We highly recommend each one of them.
 
We are continuing to work diligently to raise the remaining funds needed to complete the renovation and are confident that we will be serving guests in our Fremont home in early 2020. If you are interested in financially supporting the Capital Campaign, please contact Ann Hindes at 231.519.3771.

It takes a community!
Video links of progress below:
https://www.facebook.com/396638594415837/videos/558437671573453/

Inside Teaser: https://www.facebook.com/compassionhome.NC/videos/2513782328946429/
Become A Day Sponsor
S ponsoring a day at the Compassion Home is one of the most truly personal ways you can support the mission; to provide compassionate loving support to the terminally ill in a peaceful, comfortable home setting while caring for the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of our guests and their families. A Day Sponsorship allows you to honor a spouse, friend or loved one, for any reason or to mark any occasion.

Your Day Sponsorship includes a customized spot on our web site and Facebook page. You provide the information you would like to share about your loved one. If giving in memory of someone you help keep their memory alive by focusing on the beauty of their life. If sharing in honor of someone you can share the reasons you are honoring your loved one. You also get to choose the day you’d like to sponsor, perhaps a birthday or the day they left this earth to continue their journey.

Your Day Sponsor gift of $60.00 per month ($720 per year) represents what it costs to operate the Compassion Home each day. Day Sponsorship is the best way to keep the mission sustainable for years to come. We are continually amazed at how the mission blesses so many; our guests and their families, the staff, volunteers, partners and the entire community as we provide quality end of life care options.

When you sponsor a day at the Compassion Home, you allow the mission to continue. You also bestow a well-worded blessing upon someone you love -- for all to see. The Compassion Home is a grass roots organization, 100% of sponsorship money stays in Newaygo County and goes directly to serving those in need. The Compassion Home has been able to serve because you serve by providing financial support. It takes a community…and we thank you for partnering with us.

To learn more about becoming a Day Sponsor please contact Diane at 231-750-0872 or email dr.compassionhome@gmail.com
Donate to the Compassion Home
Just click on DONATE NOW!
White Cloud Home 930 E. Newell Street White Cloud, MI 49349 Home Phone: 231-793-6053
Fremont Home Coming Soon
20 S. Stewart Street Fremont, MI 49412
Phone: 231-750-0872