As we approach winter, our New England weather turns colder and we gather indoors for warmth of all kinds – the warmth of a comfortable and cozy home, the warmth of friends and family, the warmth of connection to cherished traditions and to each other.
This feeling of connection renews and sustains us. It is a key part of what it means to be human.
These needs don’t disappear as we age, and yet many older adults in our community can struggle to stay connected.
As we close our celebrating our 50th year of serving older adults, we are grateful to you, our community of supporters, who help people remain safe, secure, and independent in their homes.
Your gift makes a difference for people like Agnes, a widow who lives alone, has limited savings, and depends on her fixed income to make ends meet. While she has learned to be frugal and live within her means, medical costs have threatened her independence. When her hot water heater broke, there was no more savings to fix it. Her tea kettle became her only source of hot water.
She turned to her AgeSpan care manager, who was able to provide funds through the DiStefano Fund (our emergency gift fund) to help with a deposit on a new hot water heater, and to arrange a monthly payment plan for the balance.
Agnes told her care manager, “The first time I did my dishes with hot running water I cried. It has made a world of difference in my life. Thank you.”
Connections happen when two or more people interact and each person feels seen, heard, and valued.
Thanks to your heartfelt generosity, AgeSpan has the ability to enable older adults in our community to have these connections to rely upon when they need support.
Please be as generous as possible this holiday season knowing your gift makes an enormous impact on the lives of the people we serve.
Donate online at https://agespan.org/ or mail your gift to AgeSpan, Attn: Development Office, 280 Merrimack St., Suite 400, Lawrence, MA 01843
Thank you, and best wishes for a healthy, peaceful holiday season.
Are you caring for an older adult or need help finding healthy aging resources? Our experienced staff is available to help. Visit us online at www.agespan.org. You can also call 800-892-0890 or email info@agespan.org.
Joan Hatem-Roy is the chief executive officer of AgeSpan, which serves Andover, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen and North Andover.