Volunteer Spotlight

Spread the Love

"Spread the Love" is a volunteer program at Oakwood Southshore Medical Center in Trenton. The program distributes hand made blankets to patients in the hospital. It began as the idea of Bev Beltramo, Grosse Ile resident and Spiritual Care Coordinator/Staff Chaplain at Southshore and Chris Westphal, Allen Park resident and Director of Palliative Care Services at Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center.

Bev and Chris began "Spread the Love" at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn and when Bev was transferred to Southshore in 2006, she helped start up the program there with Claudette Phillips, a registered nurse and Brownstown resident. Claudette has also involved her family and among them they have made more than 100 blankets.

"Spread the Love" has volunteers of all age and skill levels. Many senior and school groups donate to the cause. Volunteers are not only those who knit, crochet or sew but also those who donate materials, such as fleece or yarn so that others can make the love filled blankets.

The blankets are given out by Bev and her staff for many reasons. Some are given to patients who are very ill or dying and some are given to family members to help them cope with their loved ones hospital stay.

Every hospital in the Oakwood Health Care System now has a "Spread the Love" program. The program recently won the Service Excellence Program of the Year from the Oakwood Health Care Systems.

Senator Patterson would like to congratulate Chris, Claudette, Bev and her staff and especially all those who volunteer for the "Spread the Love" program. These volunteers are a great example that a little work and thoughtfulness can bring great comfort to those in need.

If you would like to donate blankets or materials to the Oakwood Southshore Medical Center in Trenton, please contact Bev Beltramo at (734) 671-3647.