Angels line the path along the Ellwood A Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette as part of the World of Angels event in November. It honored hospice care workers. (Photo courtesy of Kori Tossava)

MARQUETTE –The word hospice typically evokes a sense of sadness and loss in many people, conjuring images of sick and dying loved ones.

The truth is that hospice care is much more than just making sure terminally ill individuals are as comfortable as possible during the end-stage of their lives. It is about insuring that those with life-limiting illnesses spend that chapter with dignity and in comfort, while being surrounded by the people who make life worth living.

Some of the duties of hospice care workers are those that you would expect: monitoring the conditions of their patients, administering medications and ensuring the patient is as comfortable.

That is only a portion of what they do. Hospice care workers also make sure that friends and family members of the patients have resources to cope with difficult situations as well, through access to counseling and education.

Their work helps to empower friends and family to care for their loved one while providing counseling and support for those who are left behind after the passing of the person that they were caring for.

That is why November was designated as National Hospice and Palliative care month.

During the month of November, Upper Peninsula Health Home & Hospice and several U.P businesses participated in the World of Angels campaign. The effort was designed to educate the community about the vital role that these heroes play in the lives of so many people every single day, not only in the U.P but all around the world.

While celebrating hospice workers is a large part of World of Angels, just as important is educating the public on the whole picture when it comes to hospice care.

This includes “demystifying” the word hospice and letting the general public know that it doesn’t just mean dying, it means living.

This was the second year of World of Angels. U.P Home Health & Hospice Director of Community Services Kori Tossava said that the effort grew this year, with more and more local businesses taking part after last year, where COVID-19 kept businesses closed and people at home.

“Last year there was a lot of social distancing, so people weren’t as comfortable being indoors,” Tossava said. “This year, as businesses reopened, we thought that there was a great opportunity to get them involved.”

Many local businesses and parks featured Angel displays to support World of Angels. The displays were organized by the Angel Committee, a group of vounteers that sought out public spaces and businesses who were willing to get involved with the effort.

Community members had the chance to win one of nine Angel Baskets by shopping at participating businesses. The baskets were valued at $25 each and included items like jewelry, candles, coffee mugs and other assorted goodies.

906 & Company, Salon Salon, the Masonic Square Mall, the Aloha Grill, Lagniappe, Getz’s, Togo’s, Ashley Furniture: Marquette and Rare Earth Goods in Ishpeming were all Angel sites.

Residents and family members of residents at Teal Lake Senior Living Facility participated as well. Members of the public were able to visit the Ellwood A. Mattson Lower Harbor Park to view the display featured there.

Businesses who would like to get involved next year can call 906-225-4545 for more information.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.