Christmas Greetings, dear Friends,
Several weeks ago I sent you a letter about the perfect Christmas gift we have planned for our elderly and disabled Brothers living in one of our Marist Brothers’ retirement facilities. I wrote about our decision to replace 14 dangerously unsteady chairs in the home’s community room and upstairs bedrooms. These dilapidated, threadbare chairs – teetering around 30 years old – have long since lost their “comfort zone.”
The Christmas shopping list to update all these precarious chairs comes to a grand total of $13,900. I know…it’s a hefty cost, but it’s important to remember that we’re looking for quality. These new chairs must serve elderly and disabled Brothers for decades to come! What’s more, 11 of the new chairs will provide valuable therapeutic benefits.
? Many of our friends responded to my first letter with a generous gift, and I am eternally grateful for their kindness.
However, my initial plea fell short of our goal, and I still need $5,412.
Perhaps it would help if I explained the dangerous predicament we’re in. Eleven of the chairs that urgently need replacing are worn-out recliners that sit too low to the floor. They’re so low that many senior Brothers cannot get up without assistance. It puts a wrenching strain on our retirement facility nurse’s time…not to mention her back! And I won’t sugarcoat matters. It robs my Brothers of their independence.
We tried a quick fix, by elevating the recliners up on wooden boxes. But the recliners can wobble off the boxes, setting a Brother up for a perilous fall.
No one has suffered any broken bones – yet – but I’m no longer willing to take that risk. We must replace those dangerous recliners with heavy-duty, power lift and recline chairs! To do this, we urgently need your support.
Your Christmas donation will help us purchase:
- 11 heavy-duty, power lift and recline chairs, at $1,100 each, totaling $12,100.
- 3 heavy-duty, high-back chairs, at $500 each, totaling $1,500.
- 2 solid wood end tables, at $150 each, totaling $300. (This cost reflects a quantity discount – if we purchase 14 chairs.)
While these chairs will be adorned with Christmas bows, they’re actually cleverly disguised therapeutic necessities – particularly the heavy-duty, power lift and recline chairs. These chairs will give our Brothers greater independence and at the same time, allow them to elevate their legs and improve blood circulation.
Please help me raise the still-needed $5,412 so we can create the healthy environment my Brothers deserve.
In my last letter I sent you one nickel, hoping you would match it with as many of your own “nickels” as possible. With this letter, I send two nickels. It’s my way of saying that I’m praying twice as hard for the money needed to cover our Brothers new chairs.
One more favor! Please write your prayer intentions on the enclosed response slip and send it along with your donation. If you send everything right away, the Brothers and I will include your intentions in our special Christmas Novena. This is something we very much look forward to doing!
Before signing off, I hope you’re looking forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving shared with family and loved ones. And please know that all our Marist Brothers prayerful wish that you have a joyous and peace-filled Advent season.
With sincerest gratitude,
Br. Hugh P. Turley, F.M.S.
Director of Development
