Back to Home page NEWSLETTER Kiwanis Club of Cedar Rapids Wednesday, November 26, 2008 The meeting was called to order by President Bob Hatala, Esq. 20 Members in attendance. Guests: Byron Tabor Birthdays: None Anniversaries: Mel Rhodes (02) Announcements: 1. Reminder: Jan 7 meeting is at Janet Blackledge;
2. John Schweitzer has arranged for the Xavier choir at our December 17 meeting;
3. Byron Tabor is developing a new plan to recruit Lieutenant Govenors – each club is asked to present a candidate. A real election will take place, and a plan for succession will be put in place (lieutenant lieutenant governor?). Byron also says that Marion Metro will join our club when Xavier sings on December 17.
4. Dave Graeff needs ringers for November 29.
5. Byron Tabor is peddling candles as a fundraiser to supply dictionaries for all 3rd graders in the area – it improves literacy. Happy Bucks: Jim Platt is zeroing in on Thanksgiving; Mel Rhodes fessed up to his birthday, Chuck Wehage looks forward to family arriving for the holiday; Dick Boardman threw in a buck, too. Upcoming Programs: next two weeks: Tom Hobson from Rockwell Collins, and then Todd Dorman of the Gazette Speaker: Jo Johnson of the Oldorf Hospice of Mercy talked about their operation. A wide variety of services is provided to patients and families of those with terminal illness, including nursing services, social workers, funeral planning, helping patients to accept their illnesses, and counseling to children of the patients.
5% of their man hours are by volunteers. They provide physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Their bereavement services follow a patient’s demise, and they may follow up with the family for months. They have targeted bereavement services for children – things like pairs of stuffed animals and a Memory Box , both to create new memories of terminally ill relatives.
The Oldorf Center has 12 beds. The average stay is 10 days, and families are welcome there 24/7. A fully equipped kitchen is available. They provide professional pet therapy, as well as music and massage therapy. Respite care is offered to give caregivers of Hospice outpatients an occasional break. Word for the day: georgic – relating to agriculture Submitted: Chuck Wehage | 