|
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
|
|
We all have responsibilities in our lives. Some
people
have the responsibility of looking after loved ones who need extra
attention. Some have the responsibilities associated with a stressful job
which leaves them little time for anything else. One thing we can all agree
on, however, is that we hope that our winter years are a time for us to
relax. We dream of a life of leisure and independence, where we can retire
from our jobs and reflect on the good times of our life. For many, this
fantasy could not be farther from reality. In our Senior Citizen Project, we
have the good fortune to meet many different seniors and hear their stories.
Sadly, many of them have been forced into circumstances where they cannot
enjoy growing old in ease and comfort. One senior who comes to mind is Joann. Joann will be turning 69 this year. As you will see, this is not an age
when Joann will have time to relax. We are very grateful that you empower us
to bring solace into Joann’s life and we wanted to share some of this
woman’s story with you.
Joann had responsibility
thrust on her at a very young age. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago
in a tight-knit family, but tragedy struck when she was only five years old.
Both of her parents were killed in an accident, and Joann and her siblings
had to learn to look after each other, and themselves. This is a theme which
has continued throughout Joann’s life. She was married at one time, but her
husband abandoned her while their children were still small, and
so she raised
them alone. She provided for the family by working at the National Opinion
Research Center, but money was tight and she had little to put away each
month.
She looked forward to being
able to relax as she grew older, but another tragedy robbed her of this
dream. Joann’s son was diagnosed with cancer of the liver, so Joann
selflessly decided to leave her job to take care of her son. She is happy to
report that her son’s cancer is in remission, but says that it has been a
stressful year as the family waited for test result after test result, never
100% sure if he was going to survive. Her son has also been unable to find
work, putting further financial strain on Joann. On an income of $623 a
month, you can imagine that this financial strain isn’t something that Joann
needs in her life! She barely has enough money as it is to cover her
subsidized rent of $153 a month, her medical bills for emphysema, kidney
medication, and macular degeneration, and the costs of raising a teenage
granddaughter.
When we met Joann in 2002,
we knew we could make a difference in her life and the life of her
granddaughter. We are confident that no matter what befalls them, they will
never have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Joann says
she is truly grateful for our service, and loves having a Secret Pal who
buys gifts for her each month.
Things to Remember about Joann:
• Joann’s birthday is May 6, 1939.
• She enjoys reading.
• She likes fish, chicken and salad.
• Her income is $623 a month.
|
