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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 saddest realities of growing old is
the loss of loved ones, especially if your circle is small. Eighty seven
year old Juanita wishes she had a bigger family. Her brother passed away and
she only has one other sibling, a sister, who resides in Florida. She says,
“I wish I had a big family then they would be around as we got older and we
could help take care of one another.” It is all too true that the plight of
the elderly is for some companionship and much needed financial and
emotional support. Ever since the HSP delivery of fresh fruits, vegetables,
meat, and non-perishable food started, Juanita has something to look forward
to. Each month she is greeted by a loving volunteer who gives Juanita a
sense of community once again.
As you are well aware,
our mission is to help seniors in poverty throughout DuPage and Kane
counties. Here at HSP we see the first hand effects of crushing poverty
every day. Whenever we talk to one of our 115 seniors, many of them share
what’s been going on in their lives. Some being good and some being very
sad. Our hearts always go out to them. Many times we wonder just how they
can get by with so many illnesses and financial troubles creating
frustration and worry which always takes a high toll on them. For too many,
sharing their stress of not being able to purchase the things they need is
compounded their increasing age and failing health. Despite these
challenges, Most of our seniors always seem to find something cheery to talk
about in their lives. Many are very strong and courageous. They face each
day with a smile, feeling grateful and counting the few blessings they have.
It is an inspiration for us to see their warm spirits remain positive in the
face of difficult adversities.
Juanita grew up in Ipava,
Illinois, 50 miles southwest of Peoria, with her two siblings. She and her
husband, who was employed at a Caterpillar plant, lived near Peoria until
their divorce, at which time she moved to Aurora, where she has lived in the
same home for nearly 40 years. She never remarried, nor did she have any
children. Her father passed at 75 and her mother at 85. For much of her
life, Juanita looked to her place of employment to find “family.” She looks
back on her life and says, “I wish I could still work and talk to people.”
She worked a handful of different positions, mostly in factories. Despite
the physical demands of factory work and very limited financial
compensation, Juanita says that she appreciated every job she had. She loved
the garment industry, selling dresses at department stores for 10 years and
then working in a fusing department making dresses for another 13 years.
When that company went out of business she worked in a candy factory
stocking diet candy on skids. She said, “All of my jobs were fun and I
enjoyed everything I did……especially mingling with people.”
Juanita says that she
inherited her “good genes” because she, like her parents while they were
alive, doesn’t look her age. Her health is strong for 87, but she is very
arthritic and must receive Cortisone shots for her ailing back. Juanita’s
muscles ache and doctor appointments are extremely tiring and painful. Her
vision is in decline and Osteoporosis and bowel problems contribute to her
general weakness, but Juanita remains positive, giving her health the label
of “very good.”
Despite her longtime
residency in her neighborhood, Juanita knows very few people, as most of her
friends and neighbors have either died or moved away. One neighbor, whom she
has known for many years, still helps her as best he can by assisting her in
going to the store, but otherwise, Juanita is very much alone. She enjoys
reading the newspaper and listening to political programming on talk radio.
She also tries to do little chores around the house, but mostly enjoys just
sitting outside when the weather is nice. She said, “I like hot weather, it
thaws your bones out.”
Juanita has a monthly
income of $606. For years, Juanita has been forced to skip meals and has
struggled to afford the proper nutrition. Because of your sponsorship,
Juanita can now enjoy a consistent supply of her favorite fresh fruits and
vegetables, meats, and non-perishable goods, as well as personal care
products delivered right to her door. She also receives a special gift every
month through our secret pal program; through this program she is allowed to
request her personal needs by placing them on a wish list. We are happy to
have Juanita and her incredibly positive attitude in the HSP family and we
are confident that, together, we can help her get through these difficult
times in her life!
Things to remember about Juanita:
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Her birthday is April 19, 1919; she turns 88 in
2007.
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Her monthly income is $606.
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Her favorite color is pink.
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Her favorite flower is a rose.
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