Helen Fornes took the phrase Scatter Kindness^® to a new level during her time as an Ohio’s Hospice volunteer. 

“She was attentive to somebody who might need attention,” according to Volunteer Coordinator Theresa Zelinski. “Whether it was a guest or a patient, she was able to recognize somebody who might need a little bit of extra comfort. She wasted no time in making sure that somebody was taken care of.” 

Helen — a volunteer for more than two decades and a librarian at C.F. Holliday School in West Carrollton — originally wheeled a caring cart around the Dayton inpatient unit, giving little gifts and notes to patients and team members. In 1999, Helen asked members of the C.F. Holliday Craft Fanciers Craft Club (made up of teachers at the school) to make small angels to pass out and a meaningful tradition was born. 

“She came to us because she knew we loved crafts and asked if we would make something that she could pass out to the patients at hospice,” said Linda Coulles, a member of the club. 

The Fanciers obliged because, as Bonnie McNabb said, “Helen was someone you didn’t say no to.” 

Helen died in 2015, but her unwavering dedication to giving anyone and everyone a little “pick me up” continues as the Craft Fanciers gather annually to produce 50 angels to distribute in Dayton. 

Linda and Bonnie, along with Sue Saettel, Jean Gilbert and Donna Ruschau spend hours together in early November constructing the angels – different each year – out of whatever they have on hand or happened to find. This year’s angels are made from wood dowels with a ping pong ball as a head and moss for hair. Past year’s featured shuttlecocks, popsicle sticks, syrup bottles from Cracker Barrel, salt and pepper shakers, and a mini flowerpot turned upside down. 

With Helen deceased, the ladies, now known as Helen’s Crafty Angels, drop off the angels at the volunteer office, and ambassadors will deliver them to anyone who needs an emotional lift or a little compassion. 

This year they were dropped off Nov. 17 and several hospice teammates raced in to see them.

“It comes at a great time of year,” Theresa said. “It goes along with the (Christmas) angel theme.” 

The delivery of the angels is an event hospice teammates look forward to each year. 

“Everybody loves them,” Theresa said. “There are some people who’ve been around here for a long time who have quite a collection of the angels. I did collect them for a while but then I thought they do better being handed off to somebody who could enjoy them. Especially the people who might have known Helen.” 

For Susan Freeman, a specialist in Medical Records, it is more than a craft. It is an impactful gesture exemplifying the values that make Ohio’s Hospice a world-class organization. 

“Receiving one of Helen’s angels was like getting a tiny hug in your hand,” Susan said. “It wasn’t just a craft; each angel carried the message that someone had taken the time to think of you, to wish you well, and to bring a little light into your day. They remind you to pause for a moment and appreciate something made with care.” 

That’s what Helen was all about – caring.