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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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It can be very difficult for us here at HSP
to see the seniors in our program suffer needlessly. We regard the seniors
in our program as our friends and we often share the pain they experience in
their lives with them. Our hearts are broken when one of them tells us they
are not doing very well, but it only strengthens our resolve to continue to
bring solace and peace to their troubled lives. One senior has always had an
optimistic look on life, but old age and illness are starting to wear her
down. That senior is Helen, your sponsored senior. 89 year old Helen’s
health and financial problems have been souring her positive outlook as of
late, and she fears the worst may be yet to come. Thanks to your support we
can continue to see her through her tough times. It has been a whole year
since we last updated you on Helen, and we wanted to share some of this
strong woman’s stories with you.
Helen grew up in Chicago,
one of four children. Her father was a sheet metal worker and her mother had
a job at City Hall. She remembers her childhood as being happy and carefree.
Her life would not always be this way, however. Helen was married in 1938 at
the age of 23. She and her husband were quite happy. She stayed home and
took care of their four children while her husband made money by making
kitchen tables. In 1947, however, nine years into their marriage her husband
walked out on the family leaving Helen to raise the kids on her own. At the
time, Helen was sick and unable to work so money was extremely tight for the
family. Eventually she got a part time job at True Value Hardware. She said
it was hard working while maintaining a family on such a limited income, but
the family was able to make due by pulling together.
Today, Helen’s situation
is equally grim. Her health problems are a constant worry for her. She is
regularly in and out of the hospital. Just recently she was diagnosed with a
kidney infection and doesn’t know what can be done about it. She also has
heart failure, Krohn’s disease, is epileptic, and is blind in one eye.
Lately she has been passing out, causing her son to panic every time he
finds her. Her meager income of only $478 is hardly enough to pay for her
bills, rent and all of her medical expenses. 3 of her 4 children live in
California and would like her to be closer to them, but she says she isn’t
well enough to move, and she doesn’t think she could live in California
being unable
to drive a car. Her son who lives here tries to help when he can, but he has
several problems of his own and can’t be of too much financial assistance.
Now, more than ever, we
feel privileged to be able to bring support to Helen’s life. She is scared
that her many health problems will worsen as time goes on. Despite this, she
will never have to worry about where her next meal will come from. She loves
receiving the non-perishables, fresh produce, frozen meats, hygiene products
and personal items delivered to her each month. She also loves to read and
enjoys receiving books from HSP on a regular basis. We are so thankful to
you for helping us guard Helen through her time of trouble. With your help
we can continue to bring comfort to Helen in her winter years.
Things to Remember about Helen:
• Helen’s birthday is January 3, 1915
• Her monthly income is $478
• She really likes bananas
• She has two goldfish and a parakeet
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