| |  | | |  | Dear Adoray Volunteers, February is Heart Month, and it’s the perfect time to express how much we appreciate YOU—the true heart of Adoray! Your time, talents, and tender hearts are what make our mission possible, bringing comfort, compassion, and care to those we serve. Thank you for all you do!
Below are some exciting things that have been happening at Adoray this month. | | 30 Years of Care!
For 30 years, Adoray Home Health & Hospice has been a guiding light, providing comfort and support as our community navigates aging, serious illness, end of life, and grief. Now, our name shines bright outside our office — just as our mission always has. We are honored to continue being a beacon of care, compassion, and hope for those we serve. | | | | Celebrating Our Community!
This month, we were honored to recognize the American Legion/River Falls, WI as the Nonprofit of the Year at the River Falls Chamber Annual Banquet. A huge congratulations to Mary Waters, our incredible Hospice Volunteer, for being named River Falls Citizen of the Year! Mary, your kindness and dedication to our community and our patients inspire us all—you are truly deserving of this recognition! | | | | Exciting Announcement!
We are thrilled to share that we will begin accepting donations at our Menomonie Treasures store starting Saturday, March 8th, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM! After that, donations will be accepted:
📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10AM – 5PM
📅 Saturdays: 10AM – 2PM
Please help us spread the word as we take this exciting step forward! Check out this fun before-and-after of our new Adoray’s Treasures from the Heart – Menomonie location! Taking down walls to create a more open, welcoming space for our shoppers! | | | | It truly takes a village, and with this amazing Adoray family, I know we can make great things happen together. Thank you for everything you do for Adoray! With gratitude,
Christa Walz, PT, BS, MA PT
Executive Director, Adoray Home Health & Hospice | | | | | | | |  | Wishing a Happy Birthday to all our amazing volunteers who are Celebrating their big day in February! | | Jennifer Most - Feb 4 Rachel VanSomeren - Feb 6 DAVE HENSE - Feb 7 Barbara Trombley - Feb 9 IVAN LOPEZ - Feb 9 MARY HENSE - Feb 9 CYNTHIA HEIDELBERGER - Feb 11 Janet Ellefson - Feb 11 MARY MOORE - Feb 11 Michael Lifto - Feb 12 ROSEMARY DONAHOE - Feb 12 VIRGINIA LARSON - Feb 13 LORAL KEIL - Feb 15 | | | ADELE HENSLEY - Feb 16 GABRIELA VUJOVICH - Feb 16 BRIAN LANDSTEINER - Feb 17 MARY FREDERICKSON - Feb 17 BONNIE CARROLL - Feb 18 EMILY DRESS - Feb 20 Harold Berglund - Feb 21 Dawn Wachter - Feb 24 Kathy Watters - Feb 24 KAREN SVOBODA - Feb 25 KENNETH STOWE - Feb 25 CHLOE FUCHS - Feb 28 Karen Cowles - Feb 28 | | | | | | | |  | Get ready to Twist, Shout & Celebrate!
You're Invited to
Adoray’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation 'Sock Hop' Luncheon! Hey cool cats and kittens, it’s time to rock around the clock and celebrate you - our incredible Adoray volunteers who make a difference every day! Join us for a sock hop-themed luncheon filled with fun, friendship, and gratitude as we honor YOU—our amazing volunteers! Put on your best 50s attire, dust off those saddle shoes, and get ready to twist & shout in appreciation of all you do! 2024 Annual Awards
During the luncheon, we’ll be spinning the records and cruising down memory lane to present the 2024 Annual Volunteer Awards, including:
🏆 Nancy Parlin Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award
🏆 Barb Hess Treasures Volunteer of the Year Awards (one for each of our 3 store locations)
Nominees will be announced in March's Volunteer Newsletter. Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
Location: Ready Randy’s in New Richmond, WI
Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Guests are welcome at $20 per person | | RSVP By Friday, April 4th
Click the link below to RSVP online or call the Adoray office at 715-629-1888. We can’t wait to hop, bop, and celebrate with you!
Thank you for being the heart of Adoray! | | | | Don't Forget to Vote!
We need YOUR help to recognize our volunteers who have gone above and beyond this year! Nominations are open through February 28—submit your vote online using the link below or pick up a hard copy at the Adoray office or any Treasures from the Heart store. Let’s make sure our most dedicated volunteers get the recognition they deserve! | | | | | | | |  | Dear Volunteers, I hope this message finds you well. Your dedication to our Adoray’s Treasures from the Heart stores and our hospice patients is essential to Adoray’s mission, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your service. In January, we launched our annual giving campaign in support of Full Circle Aftercare, a vital program that extends care to families beyond a loved one’s passing. Through our Full Circle Aftercare program, families receive guidance on finances, insurance, estate matters, and protection from fraud—helping them navigate life after loss. Here’s what families have shared about their experience with our Full Circle Aftercare program: 💜 “The Aftercare service was a huge help.” 💜 “Carol helped me know what needed to be done after my wife passed away since I had never done this before.” In 2024, Aodray helped: | |  | This invaluable service costs over $20,000 annually, fully funded by Adoray. As a not-for-profit, we rely on fundraising to sustain programs like this. If you’re able, please consider extending your impact beyond volunteering by making a financial gift to support this crucial program. | | Last year, thanks to our employees, volunteers, and community supporters through GiveBIG SCV, we raised over $19,000 together—a testament to the incredible commitment each of you has to the families we serve. In 2025, let’s work together to surpass that goal! So far this year, our Employee Giving initiative has raised over $7,500, and now we invite you to join this effort. Your support ensures every family we serve receives the gift of Full-Circle Aftercare when they need it most. | | Every contribution—big or small—makes a difference. Thank you for being such an important part of our mission. With sincere gratitude, Amber Bettinger-Lytle
Director of Marketing & Development, Adoray Home Health & Hospice | | | | | | | | | |  | It's February – American Heart Month – a time when all people—especially women—are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting millions of people and their families. 1 in every 4 deaths in the United States is related to cardiovascular disease. For those living with advanced cardiac disease, such as heart failure, the challenges can be overwhelming. They may experience frequent hospitalizations, invasive procedures, and reduced quality of life.
Heart disease is a chronic illness that cannot be cured, but you can find relief if your medications are well-managed, you try some lifestyle changes and you learn more about your disease. Adoray can help by offering you targeted care for your heart-related symptoms while you are enrolled in our services. Adoray’s hospice, palliative care, and home health services can offer valuable support for these patients and their caregivers.
In 2024, Adoray cared for over 250 individuals with a primary cardiovascular diagnosis. Our Hospice and Palliative Care services are specialized types of care that focus on relieving symptoms, improving comfort, and enhancing well-being for people with serious illnesses. Home health provides skilled nursing and other services in the home setting, helping patients avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
These types of care can help patients with advanced cardiac disease achieve better outcomes, such as lower risk of repeated hospitalization, longer survival, and more peaceful death at home. They can also provide education, counseling, and emotional support for patients and their families.
We are pleased to share our Advanced Cardiac Care Guide for patients and caregivers with our Adoray Community. Download your Free copy of this wonderful resource below. | | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the specialized care of dying patients was first called hospice in 1948 by English physician Dame Cecily Saunders. She later created St. Christopher's Hospice outside of London, which is believed to be the first modern hospice. In 1963 she introduced the idea in the United States when she lectured medical students, nurses, clergy and social workers at Yale University. This lecture has been credited with launching a chain of events in the development of hospice services in the United States. This specialized healthcare option gained acceptance in the late 1980's when it became a Medicare-certified programs covered as a medical benefit. Medicare requires volunteer hours to represent five percent of care hours so that patients who may be lonely, or families who need a respite can have visits from outside their family and friends. Our own Hospice volunteers are a group of very dedicated, compassionate, kind and loving people that dedicate their time and talents to our hospice patients. And here is what our hospice volunteers have to say: Why do I volunteer for the hospice? “At various times in my life I heard people talk about feeling "called" to a particular cause or vocation. I never understood what that felt like to be "called" until about ten years ago when a childhood friend of mine was dying. While I was by Janice's hospital bedside, I realized that I felt quite comfortable talking about death, participating in her care, and thinking of what would make her dying experience most pleasant and least scary. I noticed that her family and friends were definitely not comfortable with any part of the dying process. I felt that Janice needed me to be the person in the room who could acknowledge what was happening. My experience with Janice helped me see that the dying often need someone to be their assistant, to be willing to talk about death, prepare for it, and to help their families accept the inevitable. I felt "called". When my work hours were reduced in 2021 I felt that it was time to put my calling into action, and I started with Adoray as a volunteer. Later I took the 11th Hour and End-of-Life Doula trainings. Being a doula really fulfills my wish to be a companion to the dying and their families. I enjoy what I do and I feel like I am providing a very needed and appreciated service.’ - Julie Hanlon-Johnson, Adoray hospice volunteer and End-of-Life Doula I learned of Hospice when my mother received loving care from Adoray Hospice. I became aware of a veteran on hospice needing some companionship. Having lost my son, a veteran, I felt I could give some time to him I should do that. My heart felt at home talking to him. I thought if I could make a difference in someone’s life at such a difficult time and at the same time find it rewarding to myself, I should offer to continue my time. Being a Hospice volunteer is so very rewarding to me personally. It warms my heart each and every time I meet with my patient. Mary Waters, Adoray hospice volunteer and, Veteran volunteer and 11th hour volunteer | | Martina😊
Hospice Volunteer Manager | | | | Save the date for our New Monthly Volunteer Connection gatherings.
Starting in March on the last Wednesday of each month. | |  | | | | | We are accepting New Volunteers to join our End of Life Doula Team!! If you have any questions or interested in learning more, please reach out to Martina. | | | | Martina Steltzner
Hospice Volunteer Manager Contact Information
Direct Cell: 715-928-9981
Email: m.steltzner@adoray.org | | | | | | | |  | We are excited to start accepting Donations at our New store in Menomonie, starting Saturday, March 8th from 10:00am - 2:00pm. | |  | Stay up to date on all the fun by liking and following our Facebook page! | | | | | | | | Treasures Volunteer Drawing Winners River Falls: Marina Johnson Baldwin: Wendy Hockbein Osceola: Mary Alice Moore | | | | Store Hours and Donations:
OPEN:
Mondays 12:00pm - 6:00pm
(Baldwin & River Falls Only | No Donations Accepted)
Tuesdays - Fridays 10:00am - 6:00pm
(Donations Accepted 10am-5pm)
Saturdays 10:00am - 3:00pm
(Donations Accepted 10am-2pm)
Sundays 10:00am - 3:00pm
(River Falls Only | No Donations Accepted) DONATIONS:
Donations are accepted Tuesday - Saturday up to 1 hour before closing.
Please call each store directly regarding large donations.
💥Get Double Punches with every purchase of $20 or more ALL DAY Wednesday!💥 Join us on Facebook!
Click on the links below to go to each store page.
💜 Adoray's Treasures from the Heart - Osceola
💜 Adoray's Treasures from the Heart - River Falls
💜 Adoray's Treasures from the Heart - Baldwin | | | |  | | | | | | |  | This month, we are featuring:
Rosemary Donahoe Rosemary has a birthday on February 12th, help us wish Rosemary a very Happy Belated Birthday! Rosemary grew up in North Dakota, met her husband Bob(who was from New York) in college, Rosemary and Bob moved to Baldwin in the early 90's where they raised their three daughter's, and have a big presence in the areas farming communities. Rosemary plays an instramental role as a Volunteer here in Baldwin. | | | | Rosemary not only Volunteers for Treasures, she also volunteers for 4H, St. Croix County Fair, and Farm City Days. When Rosemary is not volunteering, she loves to travel with her husband and family vacations with her daughters and grandchildren. Rosemary loves to go hiking, biking, waterskiing, playing tennis and pickleball. Rosemary is very instrumental in keeping us organized with all the off-season merchandise that needs to be boxed up and hauled to the basement where she keeps all those seasonal boxes, and basement organized, and then re-hauls them back up when needed. Wow, we are beyond THANKFUL for everything Rosemary does for us. We definitely appreciate everything thing she does when she is enjoying her well-deserved vacations. Thank You Rosemary you are greatly appreciated. | | | | With all the love in the air this month, please help us in Congratulating Wendy on her wedding, that happened, February 12th, 2025. Congratulations
Wendy and Dan! | | | | | | | |  | Adoray's Treasures from the Heart has a hearty group of volunteers that give from their hearts! The newest addition to our volunteers is Mary Alice Moore who loves to come shop with her family at the store. She signed up to volunteer as she feels that her working here is giving to a worthy cause with Adoray's Treasures. Alice has been bundling hangers and cutting rags that sell like crazy at the store! She has a southern accent as she's from Texas originally. When not volunteering at Adoray, she likes to play 500 cards, bingo and play golf. Mary Alice is a delightful addition to our volunteer family! Judy Merritt refers to herself as an "original" because she has been a regular volunteer for us since we opened! She is so charming that customers love to chat with her when she helps with cashiering. She shares about how Adoray's home health "saved my life" by helping her after major surgery. Judy is a dedicated volunteer often doing the extras that the store needs like steaming and hanging clothes for our sales displays. Her smile warms your heart! | | | | | | | |  | Meet our Monday
Tagging Team!
These 4 smiling women have given collectively over 75 years of service to Adoray’s River Falls Store. Faithfully they come in, almost every Monday (and Wednesday too!) to tag, hang, price and “fluff”! No matter how full the bins may get and how many boxes may be in the way they make the best of it and help us get through literally mountains of beautiful clothing! Joanne helps sort through all the bath and body items, making that portion of the store one of our most popular. She also adds her touch to our office department which also peeks a lot of interest. We are so fortunate to have these ladies on Team Adoray! The magic of the stores would not happen without all our amazing Volunteers! Thank you for all you do! | | |  | Pictured above:
Nancy Nichols, Audrey Miller,
Joanne Ottman, Betty Rudesill | | | | Let us introduce our newest cashier, Alan A long-time Adoray Treasures from the Heart shopper and supporter, he has finally crossed over to the other side of the counter! Alan, a resident of River Falls, is a retired biologist who enjoys thrifting, classical music, and trivia nights with friends. Welcome, Alan! | | | | | | | | Adoray Volunteers Needed!!
As our census grows - so do our requests for Volunteers from our patients and families. We are in need of more Hospice Volunteers. If you know anyone who would be interested in sharing their gifts and time to help care for our community.
Please have them contact Martina. We are also in need of cashiers at our Baldwin and River Falls stores, and Volunteers for our New Menomonie store coming Spring 2025.
2 person teams would be great! We are hoping to find two friends or family members to come 1 afternoon a month or every other week and share a shift cashiering together! What a Great way to meet people and spend time with your friend or family member while giving back to your community! If you know of anyone who would like to Volunteer at one of our wonderful Treasures from the Heart stores.
Please have them call the store they are interested in Volunteering at directly. | | | |  | | | | | Virtual Suggestion Box Do you have ideas on how to make Adoray a better place to work and care for patients? Submit your ideas using the virtual suggestion box. This box will be monitored daily and will be forwarded to the appropriate manager for action. | | | | | |  | Adoray Home Health & Hospice
990 Main Street, Suite 1, Suite 1 | Baldwin, Wisconsin 54002
715-629-1888 | a.bettinger@adoray.org | | Get Social with Adoray Today! | | | | | | |
