February 2022 - Volume 1, Issue 2
Building a legacy on mission and ministry
Foundation Executive Director Sandy Molenda retires
After 13 years serving the Foundation as executive director, Sandy Molenda retired on February 4. From new sidewalks and vital sign machines to stained glass windows, exercise equipment, outdoor furniture and more, Sandy's impact can be seen throughout our three campuses: Madonna Towers, Madonna Meadows and Byron.

When asked about her proudest accomplishments over the years, Sandy's list is long: "Building relationships with residents, families, donors, board members, local and corporate staff, and the greater community; hearing their stories and sharing our stories; raising funds and seeing the campuses grow in programming and services for our residents, such as the 2010 $1M capital campaign for the Towers Sr. Generose Auditorium extension and Benedict House Memory Care Unit, and the new Byron Summit campus; being recognized as the Rochester Area Chamber Non-Profit of the Year in 2018; initiating the annual Med-City Crab Crack and having the best team to work with."

During her time here, Sandy raised more than $2.9M and helped shape the place many call home. She has a deep commitment to both the residents and her fellow associates. In that spirit should you wish to make a donation in Sandy’s honor, please consider Benedictine Care or the Employee Emergency Fund.

Sandy will be truly missed, and it may take some time finding the right person to fill her shoes. If you need anything before a replacement is hired, feel free to reach out to Foundation Development Coordinator Dawn Mitchell, (507) 206-2211 or dawn.mitchell@benedictineliving.org. Dawn is in the office from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday thru Friday. 
Madonna Meadows residents LOVED these gifts!
Madonna Meadows residents loved these gifts they received on Valentine's Day--hand-made cards from the fourth-grade class at Goodhue Public Schools and roses from Moments Hospice!

"Some of my residents were crying because they were so happy they got a Valentine! I cannot tell you how incredibly proud I am of this amazing group of fourth graders. They are so talented, kind and always up for any challenge I throw their way!" said sales and marketing manager Vanessa Sherer.
Thank you for your gifts to new Employee Emergency Program!
Thanks to your generosity, more than $24K is available for Benedictine Rochester and Byron employees in the event of a financial crisis through our Employee Emergency Program. Gifts to this program can help pay the rent, or buy groceries for employees who face a financial strain due to an event outside of their control. If you haven't had a chance to give, click the button below. Gifts of any size will make a meaningful impact.
Mohamoud Ahmed, Director of Nursing for Madonna Towers Nursing Care
Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation gives $16K grant for vital signs machines
We are proud to announce the Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation has awarded $16,500 to Benedictine Living Communities in Rochester and Byron to purchase five portable vital sign equipment devices that electronically download resident readings into their matrix chart.

"Having these vital machines will give accurate information to our health care team and give our nurses more time to do direct care because they do not have manually enter the vital signs," said Mohamoud Ahmed, Director of Nursing.
Anonymous donation revives fountain!
Thanks to an anonymous donor and the handiwork of Terry Blum in maintenance, the wall water fountain at Madonna Towers is running again with new stone and copper. We hope to use the old stone to make a memorial bench. Take a moment to listen to how beautiful the new fountain sounds!
Knights of Columbus donate $1,000 from Spaghetti-In-A-Bag Fundraiser
In the midst of another Covid-19 surge, Pax Christi Knights of Columbus Council #14145 got creative again and held their annual fundraiser as a drive-through Spaghetti Dinner-In-A-Bag event in January. Donors could order a meal for four of spaghetti sauce and meatballs or Alfredo sauce with chicken, then drive through the Pax Christi parking lot and pick up their meals neatly packaged in a bag. The Knights donated $1,000 of their proceeds to our new Employee Emergency Program. Thanks Knights!
Pax Christi Knights of Columbus delivered 25 meals directly to Madonna Towers residents who placed an order.
Tributes
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We are so grateful for these gifts given to the Foundation in the last few months in honor or in memory of a loved one or staff member:
In honor of
Rita E. Gengler
Darlene Gillard
Geraldine Hennessey
Joyce Huppert
Shirley Keehn
Joann Manemann
Richard McHugh
Sandy Molenda
Jeanette Regan
Ruby Rose
In memory of
Carroll Baruth
Ciel Bearth
Delores Befort
Mary Frances Burton
Evelyn Cashman
Evelyn Cierzan
Jim Cierzan
Phyllis Clark
Judy Collins
Lois Crouch
Fran Daley
Geraldine Diehn
Loren Ehnert
Zelma Ferdinandt
Edward & Myrtle Foster
Dorothy Gutschenritter
Robert Haggerty
Ione Hesh
John Robert Knecht
Raymond Krolak
Evelyn Kruger
In memory of cont...
Dorothy Lindvig
Lois Litzow
Harvey Meyer
Lucille Morcomb
Art Mueller
Bertilla Mullenbach
Wayne Munns
Mary Paulson
Loretta Plavek
Rosella Rademacher
Steve & Marc Reinhart
Dorothy Sindvig
Ruth Small
George Steins
Joan Steins
Louise Terrill
Vivian Tupper
June Vold
Carolyn Warner
Helen Willard
Ervin & Angie Wiltgen
Mission Moment
Madonna Towers grateful for Sue Kimball's 40 years of service
Madonna Towers recently celebrated Sue Kimball's service over the past 40 years. Sue shared this note upon being recognized:

"I want to thank you all for recognizing me for working at Madonna Towers Benedictine for 40 years. It's hard to believe that I've been at one job for so long. I first started out in food service (that's what it was called back then.) While I was working in food service an opening at the receptionist desk came about. I applied for it and got hired. I was working in the two areas at the time and after 15 years in food service I made the right choice. I've seen lots of changes at Madonna Towers in my 40 years. I have worked with many administrators and staff members as well. I know that these past couple of years have been very challenging, especially with COVID, and I know that we as a team are there for the residents and for each other. I thank you once again and appreciate you all."

-Sue Kimball MT receptionist
Benedictine Core Values
Hospitality | Stewardship | Respect | Justice
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Share your BLC-Rochester/Byron story!
Have you been impressed with the care you or a loved one received at Benedictine Living Community in Rochester or Byron? Email Foundation Development Coordinator Dawn Mitchell to share your story!
"Find Best Gift" Tool available online
Deciding on the right gift for Benedictine Foundation can be difficult. It’s vital to think about issues ranging from maximizing tax benefits, and producing income, to preserving assets for your heirs.

If you are not sure where to start, we offer a simple tool that can help. Answer some basic questions, and we will recommend a gift that may be of interest to you.

If you have decided to name Benedictine Foundation-Rochester/Byron as a beneficiary in your will or trust, please let us know! You can contact Foundation Development Coordinator Dawn Mitchell at (507) 206-2211 or dawn.mitchell@benedictineliving.org.
Scan the QR code with your phone's camera to give online!