The Homme Home Foundation is a separate nonprofit entity from Homme Home for the Aging in Wittenberg. The foundation raises funds from donor gifts and bequests that are used to support the resident programs and building projects.
“The gifts from donors are tax deductible,” said Stephen Seybold, executive director of Homme and head of the foundation.
There are two main fundraisers: a golf outing and the Angel Appeal at Christmas.
The 19th annual golf outing is Aug. 1 at Indianhead Golf Course in Mosinee. There will be a pig roast, silent auction with Packers and Badgers memorabilia, and raffle drawings. The goal is to raise enough money to help 20 residents with the Resident Help Fund.
Donors who support the Angel Appeal are honored with colored angels on Christmas trees. The angel trees are displayed in the lobby during the holidays.
“The angel is returned to the donor as a thank you,” Seybold said. “It’s a real visible thing at the holidays.”
The fundraisers help sponsor programs throughout the year for the residents. If they want to, donors can choose how they want their donation used.
“We get lots of designated gifts,” Seybold said.
Some people have chosen to support the aromatherapy program that began in 2011 as part of a study about using essential oils on the residents.
“We had great success with the program, and we reduced as needed pain medication and anti-psychotic medication by 75 percent in our dementia unit,” Homme Administrator Justin Cieslewicz said. “Family members of residents have seen the success and want to get in that program.”
Also, music in the Alzheimer’s unit helps reduce residents’ agitation as it stirs memories of their lives.
Donors’ ongoing support is recognized in the Rise the Bell, Live the Legacy program. Bells are placed on the wall behind an original bell, one of the three in the first home, orphanage and mission. As the donors’ support grows, they get larger bells.
Seybold is the head of the foundation, which is run by a board of directors. The board meets quarterly.
Seybold noted that people often put the foundation in their wills or estate.
“It’s another way for people to use the foundation as part of their estate planning,” he said.
The Homme Home Auxiliary also helps the home. Membership dues and the Alpha House, a resale shop, help sponsor the Strawberry Festival in June, resident Christmas parties, birthday parties, speakers, newspapers, pet therapy and events.
Seybold said Homme is working on revitalizing the auxiliary.
“It’s open to everybody,” Seybold said. “It’s another group supporting the folks who live here.”
