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North Ohio Lake Erie Nurse Honor Guard seeks volunteers and raises profile at Tiffin council meeting
Summary
Debbie Schultz, Seneca County representative for the North Ohio Lake Erie Nurse Honor Guard, described the volunteer group's tribute ceremonies for nurses who have died and asked for volunteers, a social-media director and donations. The council agreed to help distribute information.
Tiffin — Debbie Schultz, the Seneca County representative for the North Ohio Lake Erie Nurse Honor Guard, described the program—s tribute ceremony for nurses who die and asked the council and community for volunteers and administrative help.
Schultz, who identified herself as a registered nurse with 43 years of experience and the Seneca County representative for the unit, said the volunteer nonprofit (a 501(c)(3)) serves Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca counties and currently has about 20 active members. She said the group aims for 10–15 members in each county so it can reliably provide a tribute when a nurse dies.
The tribute, Schultz said, lasts about 10 to 15 minutes and includes a roll call of nurses, a Nightingale chime sequence for the deceased nurse, a Nightingale lamp presentation with a white rose to the family, and a reading of a poem by Dwayne Jager. Schultz said there is never a charge for the tribute and that the ceremony is intended as comfort for families.
"The tribute usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes," Schultz said, describing the Nightingale roll call and lamp presentation. She asked the council to help publicize the group—s recruitment needs and said volunteers should be part-time or retired nurses who can commit time for ceremonies and training.
Schultz also said the group is seeking a social-media director and at-large board members and noted the organization is new to the area; it formed locally in July and meets at the Burchard Library in Fremont on the first Tuesday of the month. Councilmembers thanked Schultz and said they would help publicize the program.
Why it matters: The honor guard provides a volunteer-led ceremonial tribute that families and funeral homes can request; the group—s organizers said it offers emotional support to grieving families and provides public recognition of nursing careers.
No formal action was taken. Council members asked city staff to share contact details and brochures at upcoming city communications outlets.
