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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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With
hundreds of millions of people in this country, one would think that
loneliness and despair would be a rarity. For most of us, the idea of not
having even one person with whom to socialize, confide, or even speak,
is inconceivable. Sadly, though, while working with the seniors in our Senior
Citizen Project, we discover unwanted solitude far too regularly. This sad
fact is embodied in Mary. At age 69, Mary lives
alone, with only the geese outside her building as companions. With no
friends and a fear of becoming a burden on her scattered family, Mary spends
her days cooped up in her apartment,
attempting to fend off depression. Now, Mary can take comfort in knowing that someone is
watching out for her well-being and health. We would like to take this
opportunity to share some information on Mary with you so you can get to
know her better.
One of two children, Mary
grew up in Ireland. The financial stability of the country was poor enough
to deprive her family of opportunities, prompting a move to the United
States when she was in her twenties. She was married and divorced, but not
before raising a son and a daughter. She has no contact with her ex-husband,
and rarely speaks with her son. Her sister lives in England, making
communication difficult at best due to her troubled financial state. Her
daughter is married, but Mary constantly worries about becoming a burden, and
so
rarely makes contact. This isolation has lead her to contemplate taking a
homeless person into her home as a roommate and companion. Although she has
been advised against this, her optimistic attitude argues that she is sure
she can find a nice person just down on their luck. However, she decided to
continue living alone, which increased her sadness.
In addition to the
loneliness, Mary faces medical obstacles such as epilepsy and dizziness,
from which she has suffered since age 15. Her doctor recommended not living
alone because of these conditions.
About six years ago, Mary did suffer a
seizure, causing her to fall and hit her head badly.
Cataracts in both eyes prevent her from reading the books she loves so
dearly. In addition, her low income prevents her from affording any luxuries
such as cable television.
It is no wonder that Mary
spends a large amount of time worrying. She fears suffering a stroke with no
one around to assist her, storms causing trees near her building to fall and
injure her, and even worries about the geese she feeds outside freezing in
the winter cold. With little else to do and no one to express her thoughts
to,
these fears expand and consume her time. For this reason, she greatly
appreciates the monthly groceries and visit she receives from her volunteer
driver and welcomes the calls we give her.
Things to Remember about Mary:
• Mary’s birthday is May 17, 1938.
• Her monthly income is $584, with rent alone costing $139/month.
• She misses her sister who lives in England, too far to visit.
• She would like someone to live with her.
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