ShareCare of Leelanau Membership

Join the ShareCare community...and join early! Besides the economical reasons, those who join early are usually attracted to ShareCare because they recognize and want to support the unique community service the organization offers. All volunteer services, the services of our Care Coordinator and neighborhood activities are included in the membership fee.

Membership Information

	Membership is limited to Leelanau County residents.
	Members pay an initial, tax-deductible membership fee and annual dues to support administrative costs.
	Enrollment fee and annual dues are based upon the member’s age when joining.
	Since everyone in a household benefits from ShareCare, all adult members of the household must become members.
	A 20% discount applies to the dues when there is more than one member at the same address.
	Please call the ShareCare office (231-386-2273) for an exact amount to join.

An Enrollment Form is available on-line. To download a form, click here. (Note: You'll need Adobe Reader. Click here to go to the web site for help.)

Since there are many variables involved in figuring the cost of membership, please call Deb Wetherbee at the ShareCare office at 231-386-CARE (2273) for specific membership information. Also, please call the office to have questions answered or to schedule an appointment with a member of our Board of Directors to meet with you in your home.

Quotes from ShareCare Members:

	"Thanks so much for sending out your helpers last Saturday. The two gentlemen that were here got everything done that I asked and they were so nice. They exhibited patience and concentration even when my deck door did not cooperate. Good job–well done!"
	From a friendly visitor: "I continue to enjoy my meaningful visits with my ShareCare family, Deb. What a sweet couple they are! Thank you for introducing me to them. They have become an important part of my life.
	"You do make a difference in our lives--and we appreciate it very much."
	Feedback from a trip to Traverse City: "I just want you to know how happy my aunt was with her driver yesterday. She had a delightful time, and they even went to Poppycocks for lunch! There are highlights in people’s lives when they get to be almost 85 and this will be one of them. Be assured that you have some of the sweetest people helping these elder folks around. She was just elated, and had a grand time."
	"After my husband died, I was all alone. I needed more people. My life wouldn’t have been the same without ShareCare."
	"I am more than grateful for the opportunity to call you for help for all of the hundreds of things you do with caring, compassion and genuine open heartedness. May your hands be enabled to reach out to many others.

Except from a Letter to the Editor by ShareCare Member Artie Lancaster (2006)

...I would like to share my own experiences with your readers. I first learned of Share Care while building my retirement home in Northport. I had been told that one of my neighbors, like I, was a retired District Court Judge so I was eager to meet him. Each time I passed his house there were cars in his driveway and I hesitated to stop. Before my house was completed I learned of his death and the long illness that had preceded it. It was then I also learned that because of a non-profit volunteer organization called ShareCare he had been able to live out his life with dignity, well cared for in the comfort of his own home. After going to ShareCare’s office, I joined.

Both as a Board member and a regional co-captain I have an insider’s view of the work it takes to make ShareCare the unique organization that it is—-how truly unique I learned only recently. Last summer, after surgery at Mayo, I arrived home to find both a walker and a wheel chair waiting for me along with something I didn’t even know existed…a toilet riser! In my refrigerator was a homemade casserole and dessert for that night’s supper. Anne Kelly, our registered nurse, dropped in regularly to check on me. Food arrived in abundance. Deb Wetherbee, our office manager, called often to see how I was doing and what more I might need. When I had to take an early morning flight back to Mayo the “driver of the day” got me to the airport with time to spare.

No doubt with all that spoiling it must have looked suspicious when this summer found me back in bed, laid low with another problem. Once again ShareCare was there. Mail was picked up. Groceries and prescriptions were delivered. Winnie’s dog door was opened and closed for her each day. Deb even found me a cleaning lady! Once again, I found Anne’s visits infinitely more helpful than the pain pills.

This week, fortunately in an upright position, I filled in one day at the office for Deb, significantly more aware than ever that each hour we spend as volunteers comes back to us a hundred fold...