Monday, March 8, 2010

WE ARE BLESSED WITH SO MANY GIVING HEARTS IN DESOTO

From reading my columns the last few weeks, you know that we have been once again blessed by the generosity of so many during the past year. Words can never say thank you enough nor can they truly convey just what this assistance means to our elderly. The additional services we are able to provide with the generous help of the community make a significant difference in the lives of our elderly.

The world economy seems to be dipping a little lower every day. We keep hearing how everything is improving, but few of us are experiencing it.

Unfortunately, many of today’s elders still have incomes that would work well with a 5-cent loaf of bread, but can come nowhere close to paying the high costs of food today. They retired years ago with a very comfortable income. Through the years, the cost of living has inflated well beyond the rate of increase, if any, in their income.

Our elders have lived through the Great Depression, wars, world crises, and personal tragedies by digging deep, working hard, and finding a way of bouncing back.

This time those options are not possible. Age has taken it’s toll; health is failing; meager fixed incomes have not kept up with inflation; many supportive friends and family members have passed on before them; younger family members may have been forced to move across the country to find work. There is no bouncing back on their own this time.

The continued support of organizations, businesses, and individuals in DeSoto County continues to bless us in our passion for assisting the elderly. Because of you, we are able to stretch the budget just a little further. Perhaps your generosity was all it took to help one more elderly person receive help with bathing, or a few hours worth of homemaking, a ride to the doctor, one home-delivered nutritious meal a day.

You will never know how very much one of those items of help means to our clients. Tear-filled eyes, trembling hands, quivering voice – all letting us know what an important difference has been made in their lives. All the pay in the world could never compensate more than knowing we have helped.

As we move forward in these times of hardship for all of us, we cannot loose focus on the importance of providing for our elderly. And, as funding sources continue to shrink, we will find a way to serve our elderly in DeSoto County – with the wonderful friends in our community and Senior Friendship Centers together.

Next week watch for a list of all of our sponsors for the 12th annual “Unevent” we are just winding down. The response this year has been phenomenal, particularly in the economic woes everyone is facing this year.

Another way for us all to pull together and help our elders will be our “Friendship at Home” program, where we will match volunteers with the needs of an elderly person. Even if we aren’t working or are having a hard time stretching the income we do have, we can still help. It doesn’t have to be monetary help. Helping hands and heart can reach a long way.

In the days ahead, you’ll be hearing a whole lot more about “Friendship at Home.” Or, give us a call now and let us know you’re interested in helping.

Our donors this past year have given unselfishly and we sincerely thank them for their caring and sharing. Again, may you be blessed tenfold for what you have done to help.

Remember, together we are making DeSoto County a caring place to grow old.

Karen Blanchette is the Director at Senior Friendship Centers of DeSoto County and can be reached at 863-494-5965.