Dear Friends,
A few weeks ago I mailed you a letter about our 2019 budget. I explained that our funds just barely cover what we need to support our elderly and disabled Marist Brothers. If we have even one unexpected expense, our budget will be in trouble. With your help we can give our 2019 budget a small cushion and make sure our senior Brothers never suffer due to lacking funds.
Many of our friends responded to my first letter with a donation – and we are so thankful. Sadly, though, I did not receive the response I prayed for. Our budget is still woefully short of what’s needed to safely make it through 2019. Can we count on your gift?
With more senior Brothers than ever living in our retirement facilities, it’s a daily struggle to keep up with rising costs. We rely more than ever on friends, like you, to help us meet ourelderly and disabled Brothers’ essential needs – and continue to give each man a dignified andmodestly comfortable quality of life.
It’s important to add that your gift will do even more than help us cover basic budget items – such as medical needs and home maintenance. Your generosity also allows us to create an environment where every elderly and disabled Marist Brother feels appreciated and safe. For this, we are very grateful.
So, as I write this second letter, I am praying twice as hard that you will send whatever you can afford to share, whether that means $15, $25, or more.
I can’t say it often enough…your financial support is crucial. Please send your gift as soon as possible!
Today we care for more than 60 Brothers who need some level of skilled care. That means more doctors’ appointments and medications, larger weekly food bills, higher utility costs…and the list goes on.
To cover all these costs, I crunched every last nickel. There’s nothing left to cut from the 2019 budget – and your help matters more than ever.
I promise you – every gift makes a difference. You make a difference! Consider the two nickels tucked in with my letter. The coins aren’t worth much on their own, but they have the potential to become thousands of dollars once added to many more nickels. In the same way, your gift, when added to many more gifts from many more Marist Brothers’ friends, will give us a comfortable budget for our elderly and disabled Brothers’ care.
I have faith that together we can meet the goal. I believe that the Lord brought you to usfor a reason, and you will answer my prayers with a generous gift.
Just as you are here for our Brothers, we’re here for you, too! Every day our elderly Brothers attend Chapel and during Mass say a prayer of thanks for the kind friends who contribute so generously toward their continued care. We also dedicate a special Mass – on thefirst Monday of every month – to our devoted donors and their special intentions. So please, takea moment to write your intentions on the enclosed response slip and send it back to me along with your gift.
We look forward to hearing from you! Until then, may your days be filled with goodhealth and happiness.
God bless you for caring,
Br. Dan O’Riordan, F.M.S.
Director, Senior Brothers