In The Words of Those You’re Helping
There is much that could be said about the immense compassion Sturbridge residents have exhibited in support of its seniors. Great stories could be written about the amazing fellowship we’ve all been witness to here in town. No doubt, one could easily exhaust a thesaurus, detailing the unparalleled generosity demonstrated these past months.
Yet nothing is as poignant, nor as telling, as the sentiments and words expressed by those you’ve helped. Nothing better conveys the overwhelming sense of desperation replaced now with hope, due solely to the compassion of Sturbridge residents helping their own. At the very moment you settle to read this, there is the quickened beat of grateful hearts that rumbles throughout Sturbridge. It is a sound that grows louder each day, as those seniors whose burden you’ve lightened, breathe a sigh of relief.
Though strangers we may be, it is indisputable that we are all neighbors within this wonderful community; as such we are intrinsically linked to one another. Each of you who has participated in this great endeavor should take pause to reflect upon the amazing act of compassion you are party to. For you, each and every one of YOU, are the only reason that hope has replaced despair for many Sturbridge seniors; evidenced in the words of those you’re helping. Some express their sentiments in the simplest of terms, others a are a bit more expressive; all are powerfully revealing.
“What great news, this is fantastic, last year we went without hot water because it was cheaper, we won’t have to do that again, this is going to really help.”
“Oh, my…thank you! This is wonderful, wonderful news.”
“Thank you so very much. I’m not sure what we would have done. My God, thank you so very much.”
“This is so wonderful. I’ve done everything I can to pinch every penny. I make sure to count my meals and only buy what I absolutely have to. It was so hard to ask for help, but I’m at the end of my rope.”
“I want to thank you for what you’ve done. I’ve never had to ask for help before but I can’t watch my sweet wife struggle through another winter trying to stay warm. She’s made a darn good life for me and I can’t bear her suffering through the cold again. I just can’t. This will change so much for us.”
“I really have tried to cut back on everything. I’m extra careful to make sure I only use the two front rooms and I keep the thermostat at 64 degrees. I even use the stove sometimes to take the chill out of my bones along with a few bowls of soup or hot cereal a day. And I always make sure to bundle up with some sweaters I’ve collected. Then when the warm weather comes I get to eat a bit more since I don’t have to put so much aside for the oil man. I’m so thankful and I promise not to go wasting people’s money by turning my heat up. It’s really nice of people to do this and I wouldn’t want to insult anyone by wasting their money. Maybe they won’t mind so much if I squeeze in an extra meal during the week every now and again.”
“One day last week after paying bills, I found I didn’t have enough money for food. So one night last week I ate only instant mashed potatoes for dinner. The next day I ate just cooked rice for dinner with no breakfast. I would like to thank all of you involved for your help.”
What an incredible honor it is for us at the REAS Foundation to be given the privilege of doing this work on your behalf. We are grateful that you have allowed us to be a part of this magnificent act of love, and fully understand the incredible responsibility we have to each of you as donors, to make sure we do this right.
Each of us at the REAS Foundation, fully understands that the grants awarded to Sturbridge seniors are conveyed solely because of your kindness, your generosity, and your donations. We in essence, are distributing your money - your gifts to our neighbors - and you have graciously entrusted us with the honor of doing so. We thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share in the gratitude, expressed by those you’ve helped.
Thomas R. Creamer - Executive Director