Dear Friends,
For several months I’ve kept you in the loop concerning our new Marist Brothers’ retirement facility. First, we handled a massive renovation – since the space hadn’t been touched in more than 40 years. Then we needed to furnish the facility. However, before we officially hang the “Welcome Home” sign, we must address our nurse’s station. In order to care for our elderly and disabled Brothers, she pulled together a list of her top four most needed pieces of medical equipment. These are tools she needs immediately, since they’re used to monitor vital signs daily as well as help manage dire emergencies.
The cost for these essential medical tools comes in at $3,743.44, which isn’t in our planned budget. Your gift – even if only $10 or $15 – would be a blessing.
Perhaps if I share the list of medical equipment you’ll understand how these tools will help safeguard our elderly Brothers’ health – and perhaps circumvent grave and expensive medical procedures down the road.
A diagnostic otoscope set is used to examine ears, eyes, and throats for injury and infection. Cost: $313.09
A defibrillator is used to bring the heart back to a normal rhythm after someone goes into cardiac arrest. Cost: $1,127.65
An electronic thermometer is vital for a precise temperature reading. Accuracy impacts a diagnosis and treatment. Cost: $207.65
An exam table provides patient safety, with a retractable step, storage capacity, and a pneumatic back for easy patient positioning. Cost: $2,095.05
Sometimes there’s a remarkable blending of events in life, and this is one of those unique moments. As we pray our May devotions to our Blessed Mother, I ask for your support on behalf of our nurse – the very woman who cares for our elderly Brothers with a mother’s warm kindness and nurturing support.
Just as I place our cares and troubles with Mary, our Good Mother, I also ask you for your intercession on our behalf – so that together we can purchase the medical equipment our nurse needs to properly care for our elderly and disabled Marist Brothers.
I have faith that you will help us with a gift – in whatever amount you can afford. As a small token of my gratitude for your help, I’ve enclosed a special prayer card that honors our Blessed Mother. We have sized the card to that of a credit card – so it fits into your wallet or pocket and you can keep it near. As you read the prayer, imagine every Marist Brother reciting the prayer with you.
As for the nickel enclosed with my letter, it’s a gentle reminder that every gift matters. Alone, the coin has little value. But if all our Marist Brothers’ friends send as many “nickels” as they can, we’ll soon have the $3,743.44 needed to meet our medical equipment costs.
When your gift arrives, the Brothers and I will want to express our deep gratitude for your kindness. So please write your prayer intentions on the enclosed donation response card and return it to me along with your gift. Every Marist Brother will include your intentions in his prayers, for you and your loved ones.
I close my note by saying once again how much we appreciate your continued devotion to our elderly and disabled Marist Brothers. You are a cherished member of our extended Marist Family.
God bless you for caring,
Br. Hugh P. Turley, F.M.S.
Director of Development
