A Woman On A Mission
Jan—A Woman On A Mission
Since its inception, Guardian Angel Home Health Annual Grand Angel Tree program has seen incredible success through the gifts donated by generous community members. Each year during the holiday season, many of our local nursing home residents, who are often elderly or disabled, are feeling the loneliness of the winter months. But Guardian Angel is on a mission to change that!
Jan Arellano, a longtime employee of Guardian, has taken the lead in managing the program. As the holidays approach, Jan leads the way to collect donations—gifts, blankets, even trees—for lonely residents.
“I go around and put trees up at different local business sponsors that I’ve contacted. It costs the businesses nothing to be a tree sponsor. It’s to benefit our nursing home residents who seem to be forgotten sometimes and I’m never surprised with our community because they are so wonderful and giving and caring,”
says Arellano.
Having been involved with Guardian Angel Home Health for over a decade, and in charge of the Annual Grand Tree program for the past five years, she is no stranger to witnessing the kindness of strangers. “The very first year that I did it, we delivered over 530 gifts and I was able to go in and talk to the residents and hold their hands and just visit with them when delivering their gifts. A lot of times, they don’t have that”, she recalls.
Guardian Angel Home Health’s Annual Grand Angel Tree program mission became increasingly difficult to execute during the unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic. “COVID was really hard on the residents, so when we were able to do this again this year (2021), it was just so fulfilling.” Despite the ups and downs, Arellano remains committed.
Founded nearly 17 years ago, Guardian Angel Home Health works to grant dignity and empower families and loved ones of nursing home patients. “Our main goal is to keep you and your loved ones out of the hospital” says Arellano. “People heal better when they are at home with their own things.”
In-home care grants families and their loved ones the ability to lead a meaningful life together while preparing for tough transitions.
“I took care of my mom for three years before she passed, and it was the best three years of my life. I got to be with my mom, and I got to hear her stories and we just got to bond” shares Arellano.
Guardian Angel Home Health’s generosity extends throughout the year by supporting additional programs in our community. Despite the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19, Arellano and her hardworking team remain focused on providing accessible community resources for all ages.
#GuardianFamily #HomeHealth #GuardianAngelHomeHealth #GuardianAngel #CompassionateCaregivers
