Rose Ann Hoof shares her Creativity and Heart with others
Within the KBH Bistro ‘33 gift shop, residents, staff and visitors will discover a unique display of hand-made cards created by Woods resident and artisan, Rose Ann Hoof. In recent years, Rose Ann has made more than 200 cards featuring themes that recognize birthdays, holidays, weddings, new babies, graduations, thank you/sympathy notes, and more. She also accepts special requests from those who desire a personalized theme.
Rose Ann’s one-of-a-kind cards are affordable and they sell fast. Bistro Manager Oscar Lacson works closely with Rose Ann in ordering the cards and sharing customer comments.
“Rose Ann’s cards are more than just beautiful,” Oscar said. “These are hand-made, original designs that offer meaningful feelings from the residents and families who buy them. The cards give an expression of friendship or other sentiments.”
Rose Ann took classes to learn the art of card-making. She connected with KBH Life Enrichment staff to host card-making classes for residents. She knows there’s something special about creating a card with heart-felt intentions.
Oscar designed colorful caricatures of Rose Ann that are featured on the Bistro card display. The caricatures have brought some local fame to Rose Ann who has been recognized in the hallways by people purchasing her cards.
“People walk up to me and say, ‘so you’re the artist,’ Rose Ann said. “I think they like to buy something that’s designed by someone they know.”
Rose Ann shares her creativity in other ways. She’s a long-term member of the Operation Warm Hearts (OWH) group that meets monthly at KBH. Members knit, crochet, sew, and create hats, mittens, scarves, booties and baby items for local families, seniors, and charitable organizations. Rose Ann has created beautiful pieces, many that have been included in the group’s fall raffle that generates funds that help to support the group.
Since 2013, Rose Ann has also been a dedicated volunteer for the local Honor Flight program that invites WWII, Korean and Vietnam-era veterans to take a round-trip flight to Washington DC to visit the war memorials. She heads to Midway Airport before the flights take off, cheering for the veterans when they board their plane. Rose Ann has organized gatherings in which residents and others make cards and share messages that are then presented to the veterans when they return home.
Rose Ann was also instrumental in a newer service project headed by King-Bruwaert House residents, the Lorraine Project, named after former KBH Manor Home and Woods resident, Lorraine Wolf. This goal of the group is simple-bring people together. This past year the Lorraine Project decided to make personalized note cards for children at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School in Willowbrook. KBH Residents and staff came together for a card-making party with supplies provided by Hoof, who also helped volunteers design and create their cards. Participants created 80 cards featuring school-related designs. Each signed card conveyed a message.
Rose Ann devotes a great deal of time and energy to helping others – truly a hallmark of her willingness to match her talents with a purpose.
