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Stu’s Golf Outing 2017

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Thank you to everyone who made Stu’s Annual Benefit Golf Outing a success! We are so appreciative of Stu’s flooring, their family, friends and partners who make this event possible each year. We were blessed with a beautiful day at Western Lakes and would like to thank all of the golfers and sponsors:

  • 21st Century Tile
  • Smart Asset Realty
  • The Starr Group
  • Quinn Distributors
  • Abbey Carpet & Floor
  • Jaeckle Distributors
  • The Architectural Firm
  • Shaw Industries Inc
  • All Tile, Inc.
  • Carpet Cushions & Supplies
  • Herregan Distributors, Inc.
  • Dream Weaver Carpet
  • H2 Healthcare
  • TRC Environmental Corporation

We Call It Puppy Love

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At the tender age of 14, Asha “Bear” has quickly risen in the ranks at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. The good-natured Australian Shepherd/Irish Setter mix has such a knack for making people happy, she’s known as the Vice President of Morale.

A fixture at the Stein Campus, Asha arrives bright and early every morning with her owner, Casey Rozanski, Vice President of Fund Development and Marketing. Kids and adult clients alike know the friendly canine by name, and she’s perfectly at home amid wheelchairs and strollers.

Asha began coming to St. Ann Center four years ago, when she was diagnosed with severe separation anxiety. “I’d come home and find my apartment in shambles,” Casey says, explaining how distressed her pup would become when she was left alone. “Sr. Edna said, ‘Why don’t you bring her here?’” And the rest is tail-wagging history.

The sociable pooch is a celebrity in Shepherd House, where she provides comfort and canine companionship to clients dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. She also has an avid fan club among the adults on the Veranda and in Senior Wellness, who often save her tasty tidbits from their lunch.

“She loves stretching out in the middle of the hall so no one can walk by without giving her attention,” Casey says. At least once a week, the childcare kids visit the Administration hallway looking for a chance to pet her. It’s not uncommon for eight of them to crowd around the mellow dog, giggling as she licks their faces. “Since kids are on her level, they’re easy targets,” Casey adds.

St. Ann Center’s president is also on Asha’s list of favorite people. Sr. Edna keeps a supply of treats from a local natural pet food store in her office. Even folks with a fear of dogs have overcome their phobia after getting to know this gentle animal.

“Having Asha here is beneficial for everyone,” Casey says. “She lifts our spirits—and she gets plenty of affection. Once I counted four belly rubs she received in under 30 minutes. What other dog can say that?”

Asha’s age-inspiration is a feature story as part of the center’s #DonateYourAge campaign which shows the value of every age! Join the campaign now with your own age-inspired gift.

In Loving Memory of Celine Meller Stanly

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The best part of our Donate Your Age campaign is receiving beautiful age-inspired stories from our community.

Recently we received this touching letter.

The letter reads:

Celine Miller Stanly, 12 Feb. 1932 – 20 Sep. 2016

I’m making the enclosed donation in loving memory of my dear mom Celine = our little angel…We miss her so…

The first time I visited St. Ann Center with Mom, I knew immediately that it was a very special place where everyone can receive care, respect and love…

We were so blessed that Mom could spend so many days at St. Ann Center…

With great thanks for everything that you and your staff do..

– Jeff Stanly

It means so much to us to hear these stories of how people are impacted by being part of our joyful intergenerational community. We shared this story with the staff in our Wellness Unit where Celine spent many of her days. In return, they reflected on favorite memories and ways that caring, 84-year-old Celine blessed their lives.

  • “Celine’s sweet smile would light up the room.” Mitch CNA
  • “She so enjoyed making music with the children from day care.” Sharon CNA
  • “Every day was a good day for Celine. She cheered us all up!” Nancy CNA
  • “She got such comfort from daily prayer services.” Debbie CNA
  • “Celine made everybody feel loved.” Mike, Senior Wellness Client

Celine’s age-inspiration is a feature story as part of the center’s #DonateYourAge campaign which shows the value of every age! Join the campaign now with your own age-inspired gift.

Pat Takes Birthdays in Stride

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Pat isn’t one to fib about her age. In fact, she was more than happy to reveal it in the photo (above) St. Ann Center is using to promote our Donate Your Age campaign. “Actually, I’ll be 82 in a month,” she candidly adds. “But, what’s another birthday?”

A client in the Bucyrus Campus’ adult day care program, Pat has earned the nickname, “the secretary,” thanks to her keen memory for names and details. “She keeps us all on schedule,” says activity coordinator Wanda Gray with a smile. That’s easy to believe, considering Pat’s impressive resume. “You name it, I’ve done it,” she laughs.

After studying business law and accounting, “I worked at First Wisconsin Bank and several of its branches,” says the mother of four and proud great-grandma of more than she can remember. One of her favorite stints was as a school bus driver. “I absolutely love children,” she says.

Now long retired, Pat is still a professional at making little ones smile. “They visit us quite often,” she says of St. Ann Center’s childcare youngsters who join the adults for intergenerational karaoke, story time or a rousing game of kickball. “Young as they are, they’re all important. They keep things lively around here.”

Looking back on more than eight decades, Pat can’t pinpoint an age she’d consider her favorite.

“I’m thankful for every day God’s given me,” she says. “I can’t do everything I used to do, but I do what I can. And I can be one fun old lady!” – Pat

Pat’s age-inspiration is a feature story as part of the center’s #DonateYourAge campaign which shows to value of every age! Join the campaign now with your own age-inspired gift.

To Africa with Love

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Sometimes, miracles come with goatees and feathers. That’s the case with the Cameroon Goat & Chicken Fund, a unique mission that connects Milwaukee’s St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care with the people of West Africa through the powerful gift of livestock.

This outreach program was started in 2003 by Sr. Edna Lonergan, St. Ann Center’s president. Donors to the fund provide money needed to purchase goats, chickens and piglets. The animals are raised in Cameroon on farms run by the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis and distributed to families in need. When the livestock reproduce, their offspring are returned to the Sisters to give to another family. The livestock offer the families an ongoing food source of eggs, milk and cheese. The families can sell whatever products they can’t consume themselves, providing them with additional income that can help them for decades and bring hope for generations.

St. Ann Center’s primary mission is to connect the generations, and the Cameroon fund extends that mission globally.

Tragically, the spread of malaria, HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses have taken the lives of many young adults in Cameroon, leaving grandparents and even great-grandparents to bring up their young grandchildren. The livestock program ensures the elders can bring fresh food to the table.

Every other year, Sr. Edna and a small group of staff and volunteers travel more than 7,600 miles to visit the Tertiary Sisters and witness the goat and chicken program in action. The most recent trip in October took them to the impoverished villages of Shisong and Bafut, where the Tertiary Sisters are doing amazing work. Some families are surviving on less than $100 a year, without sufficient food, shelter, education or health care. In response, the Sisters started a vocational school that teaches cooking, sewing, mechanical and computer skills, and have also delivered medical care through their hospital in Shisong.

The recent trip was the first for Sr. Margaret Kruse, St. Ann Center’s director of Spirituality Services, and helped her see how similar all people are. “At the core, we all want the best for our families,” she said. “In Africa, I became aware that in the midst of poverty there is still a sense of hope and joy in the people.”

In Cameroon, she noted, “people live with a purpose–they work hard to take care of their families and do whatever it takes.”

At St. Ann Center, Sr. Margaret sees adult clients who are in some ways dependent, due to physical or cognitive limitation. “But there is still a sense of joy, happiness and gratefulness to be here,” she observed. “In every corner of life, one can find a form of poverty; however, it is how we look at life that makes a difference.”

Want to help make that difference? St. Ann Center is already preparing for the next trip to Cameroon, in 2018!

Support Our Goats & Chickens Fund

By Heidy Vargas