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7 selections of fresh vegetables
6 selections of
fresh fruits
7 varieties of
frozen meats
5 bags of
non-perishables
1 bag of paper
products and personal care items
Gifts from a Secret Pal
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One of the most difficult things about working
with HSP's Senior Citizen Project is having to hear so many heartbreaking
stories from the seniors in the program. Many have lived lives of abject
poverty and can share some of the most tragic tales you will ever hear.
Hearing of the hardships they have endured, however, only brings us greater
resolve to continue to bring them the support and care they need in their
winter years. One senior, 81 year old Eleanor, who is new to our program in
2005, shared some of her sad story with us. We'd like to take this time to
introduce you to this strong woman.
Eleanor grew up in
Chicago during the depression. "I had a bad childhood," she said. "My
parents were good, but we were poor." Her family was lacking in many of the
basic necessities that we have come to take for granted since those hard
times. Eleanor remembers running home on her lunch break from school to help
her sister shovel coal into the family's barn before any of their neighbors
came to steal it. Spending her young years without basic luxuries such as
indoor plumbing and electricity, however, could have hardly prepared her for
some of the challenges which she faced as she grew older. Eleanor was
married young, and she hoped to find happiness in her marriage, but her
husband was verbally and emotionally abusive to her and the children.
Eleanor recalls the harsh way he would deal with them, often ruining family
holidays and rarely, if ever, showing affection to any of them. When he
passed away, Eleanor says that she was relieved on some level, but because
he was the primary bread winner of the family, it also meant that she had
lost her financial security. She began to wonder if she would ever find
peace.
For nineteen years now Eleanor
has lived in the same small apartment. She receives about $1,000 a month
from social security but her subsidized rent, utilities and medical bills
often run well over $500, leaving little left for her to purchase the
necessities of life. Her children love her very much, but are scattered all
over the country and have their own serious problems to worry about.
Eleanor, generally an optimist, considers herself lucky to have relatively
good health. "At least I can walk," she joked. Recently, however, she
underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment for lung cancer. We are happy
to say that it is in remission, but the experience was very draining and
painful for Eleanor, who finds it more and more difficult to get around.
With so much stacked
against her you can imagine how trying Eleanor's life must be. Fortunately,
she will never have to worry where her next meal will come from! When we met
Eleanor in March of 2005 we knew that we had found someone who could benefit
from our services. When asked about the value of the project in her life,
Eleanor said "It's been a blessing! I've learned to get along with nothing,
so it's unbelievable to receive so much! I used to not get enough fruit in
my diet, but now I can eat fruit all the time." We are truly happy to be
able to bring this kind of comfort to Eleanor's troubled life. Thanks to
you, Eleanor will continue to be able to count her blessings!
Things to Remember about Eleanor:
· Eleanor's birthday is 11/28/23
· Her favorite foods are fresh fruit and chicken legs
· She enjoys doing the Daily Herald crossword puzzle
· She was an avid golfer in her younger years
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