Niagara Lutheran Health Foundation presents the Caring Heart & Soul award to The Rev. Michael Blackwell
The Rev. Michael Blackwell received the Caring Heart & Soul Award last week at the Niagara Lutheran Health Foundation’s Leadership Council Benefactors Reception. Funds raised by the foundation help improve the quality of life for residents at The GreenFields and the work environment for caregivers. The foundation established the Caring Heart & Soul Award in 2005 to honor longtime benefactor Melba Seibold.
In addition to his service to other organizations, Rev. Blackwell has been a tireless contributor to the board and various committees of the Niagara Lutheran Health System and The GreenFields Continuing Care Community since 1999. He is longtime chair of the Pastoral Care committee and served as Leadership Council co-chair in 2023 and 2024.
In accepting the award, Rev. Blackwell spoke about the importance of providing for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of residents and patients. He also noted that his beloved wife of 55 years, Jan, who passed away in 2024, shared his dedication to this community. Many of the couple’s family members were present to celebrate the award and his accomplishments.
Niagara Lutheran Health Foundation
The Niagara Lutheran Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Today, more than 40% of residents at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center must rely on Medicaid reimbursement to pay for their care, which does not come close to covering what it actually costs us to care for our residents. The gap (our loss) between the reimbursement we receive and what it costs us to provide care to just one resident for one year is over $30,000! This reimbursement shortfall resulted in a loss of over $2.5 million in 2024. Gifts to the foundation enable us to continue our mission of caring for people who can no longer care for themselves.
Leadership Council
Gifts to our Annual Friends Appeal support ongoing resident care initiatives at The GreenFields Continuing Care Community’s skilled care homes. Each year a team of volunteers called the Leadership Council Committee meets to assist in the personal solicitation of new and renewing benefactors. Donors who make an annual gift of $500 or more are granted Leadership Council status.
The 2023 Leadership Council campaign, which Rev. Blackwell co-chaired, supported a number of infrastructure improvement projects across The GreenFields campus, including the refurbishment of patient rooms at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center and the renovation of the aquatic therapy pool. The campaign also supported renovations of the GreenField Manor, including a redesigned lobby and the addition of the Creekside Bistro.
The 2024 Leadership Council campaign, also co-chaired by Rev. Blackwell, supported improvement projects as well as workforce development programs. The campaign supported: plans to redesign the lobbies, dining areas, libraries, and corridors at GreenField Manor and GreenField Court; remodeling of assisted living apartments at GreenField Court; refurbishment of resident rooms and the renovation of the lobby and atrium at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center. The campaign supported workforce development initiatives, including training programs for new Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides.
