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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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We
are so thankful to you, Stephanie, for joining with us to bring joy to
Virginia, one of our needy seniors! We’re writing you to inform you of her
current condition, as well as to give you a little background on her life’s
story.
Virginia’s health
problems are still a great hindrance to her happiness and independence. She
still has to use a walker to get around her small apartment due to major
pains in her legs. Her doctor doesn’t want to operate on her legs because
it’s “too risky” because there are “too many things wrong.” She has had to
have several other surgeries, however including two for glaucoma and one for
lung cancer. She also suffers from diabetes which causes her to pass out
often. She takes 16 pills a day for her health troubles but often has to go
without important medicines, including her arthritis medication because she
simply can’t afford it. On her meager income of $665 a month it’s difficult
for her to afford much of anything. She can count on her son and his family
for the occasional visit but not for financial support. They can barely make
ends meet themselves. Virginia said she was prone to anxiety attacks when
she first came into our lives in 2001.
It can be
heartbreaking for us to see the suffering inflicted upon the senior citizens
we serve by poverty and the hopelessness which comes with it. We are always
filled with joy, however, when we experience the true difference that we can
make in the lives of those in need when we join with generous sponsors such
as you to bring hope and comfort to the arduous lives of our seniors. Your
support has enabled us to bring another year of sorely needed help to 79
year old Virginia, and she is truly grateful that we have come together on
her behalf to brighten her long days!
Virginia has had many
good times and bad times in her life. A lifelong resident of the Chicago
Area, Virginia worked at a Bank during World War II while her future husband
John served in Europe. She has fond memories of the day the war ended,
remembering that everyone was happy and hugging each other. No doubt she was
happy as well, for now the love of her life John would be coming home and
she would no longer have to settle for writing him letter after letter
without ever getting to see him in person. John and Virginia were married in
1947 and had one child. She never remarried after John passed away in 1987
and says she still misses him very much. In fact, she still has the over 400
letters he sent her while in the war, which serve as a reminder to one of
the most important times in her life.
Since Virginia has
come into our lives we have had the privilege of sharing our services with
this wonderful and personable woman who needs our help so much. Virginia
says she truly appreciates her monthly deliveries of all of her favorite
foods. She is also very thankful that we have found generous community
members to come forward and donate items such as a new toaster and a
reclining chair to her.
Virginia knows that it’s never too late to improve the quality of your life
and she is currently trying to get more exercise to reduce the amount of
pressure on her bad legs. She says that it is difficult because she gets
tired quickly and has a small apartment, but her continued positivity is a
testament to her strength in the face of adversity. We feel so fortunate to
be able to work together with you, John and Michelle, to serve someone who
remains so inspirational and lucid despite her poverty and illness. Virginia
is a great reminder to us to be thankful for the blessings we have in our
own lives, because she counts her few blessings with true joy.
Things to remember about Virginia:
• Virginia’s birthday is August 16, 1927
• Virginia’s favorite color is blue
• Virginia’s income is $665/month
• Virginia’s rent is $95/month (subsidized housing)
• Virginia’s favorite foods include pumpkin pie with Cool Whip and cherries.
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