I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord when was it that we did these things for you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.

Matthew 25: 35-45

 

Dear Sally,

Mrs. Peters is sitting in a cozy vintage chair from her early-married years…alone… staring out her dirty front window…reminiscing…

You see, Mrs. Peters is recently widowed. She lost her loving husband of 60 years. Unfortunately, she is totally alone. G-d did not bless them with children.

What was Mrs. Peters thinking about at this moment? Her loving husband and her 42 precious years as a first grade teacher in a small rural community. 

She  taught three generations of children over the years and still gets a card or two from them. After  40  years….she   still   gets   a   few   cards.

What makes Mrs. Peters so special? Her gift of giving.  Not her money, but her time, her stories, her experiences-her love. That’s what she is remembered for.

But remembrance isn’t enough…a few cards aren’t enough. Mrs. Peters gave of herself, totally, to hundreds of children over the years. Isn’t she entitled to some attention and loving-kindness in return?

Sally, there are over 160 older people, just like Mrs. Peters, in our community, who need your help. Not financial help, but the gift of time. It could be shopping, well-timed phones calls, or just sitting for a few minutes, reminiscing.  Maybe cleaning a window or two…

I am asking you for 1-2 hours a week of your time to help one older member of your community.

Your help will surely come back to you a hundred fold.