Fall Appeal
Dear Friend:
Do you realize what an incredible difference you can make in the lives of your older friends, relatives, and neighbors by supporting Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES)? Funds that are available and accessible at the right time can purchase the items and services necessary to keep important people in your life--living safely in their own home.
So many times I will hear someone say, “but I have so little to give.” I know these tough economic times make your decision of what local causes to support even harder. Undoubtedly, you’re aware of so many people in need in our region and so many worthwhile charities to support.
Thankfully, I can assure you that every dollar donated to the MVES Elder Independence Fund is used to provide essential assistance to local elders in need. Your donations are pooled into a specially designated fund that is only used to respond to urgent financial requests from the elders we serve in the communities of Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, and Wakefield.
Since 1975, MVES has provided essential home care and community services to elders and their families in these eight cities and towns. By making your tax-deductible gift of $25, $50, $100 or more to MVES in the enclosed return envelope, you will help us sustain the MVES Elder Independence Fund. Every dollar makes a difference.
I want you to know that the MVES Elder Independence Fund is used as a last resort to fund community services, purchase essential home care equipment, or address situations of need for which there is no other government program or charitable resource. We are able to respond to these needs because of the generosity of your donations.
But, each year the needs of your friends, relatives, and neighbors are greater and the funds available are limited. I want to ask you to send us a donation to help replenish this critical pool of funds so we will be able to respond quickly to local older adults’ requests for emergency assistance in the year ahead.
Most of the requests for assistance we receive require between $50 and $1,200 to meet an urgent need. Your donation has a significant impact on an older adult’s life. Last year we used your gifts to provide care to many local elders. Here are two of their stories:
Mr. G. is an older man living alone in an apartment in North Reading with a very low income. He was losing weight and becoming malnourished because his dentures were causing him such severe pain that he couldn’t eat. His dentures needed to be re-lined but neither Mass Health nor his Veteran’s Administration health insurance would cover this cost. He asked his MVES case manager if there was anything we could do to help. Through the MVES Elder Independence Fund, we were able to pay for the cost of re-lining his dentures. Now Mr. G. can enjoy eating again without pain and he is gradually regaining his weight. Maintaining good nutrition is important for Mr. G’s health and his ability to continue living independently in his own apartment.
Ms. D. is an older woman who lives in subsidized housing in Malden. She is very low-income and suffers from diabetes. She recently had to undergo an amputation of her right leg. Ms. D. is having a difficult time adjusting to this disability and wants to maintain as much of her ability to get around on her own as possible. She realized a motorized scooter would enable her to continue doing one of her favorite things—grocery shopping at a nearby market. Through a combination of local charitable resources including the MVES Elder Independence Fund, Ms. D. was able to acquire a motorized scooter and now continues to move around her apartment complex and visit nearby shopping centers on her own.
These two individuals live in our midst and have been helped through the generosity of people like you and your contributions to the MVES Elder Independence Fund. Will you please consider adding us to your holiday giving list? If you like, you can make your gift in honor or in memory of a loved one. A special acknowledgement can be sent to the person(s) of your choice. You can make your gift online if you prefer. Please visit our web site today at www.mves.org and click on “contribute” to make your secure donation.
I hope in this season of giving you will consider the MVES Elder Independence Fund a worthwhile cause where each dollar is making a difference. Thank you for helping us promote independence through quality home care and best wishes for a happy, healthy new year.
Sincerely,
Daniel J. O’Leary
Executive DirectorPS. Please remember to contact Jenny Vanasse, MVES development director if you would like to learn more about planned giving and the MVES Aging With Dignity Society at 781-324-7705 or by email at jvanasse@mves.org.
