Dear Friends,
I’m in a jam and your gift will be such a blessing!
Ironically, my problem stems from some wonderful news. Because of advanced medications, many of our elderly and disabled Brothers are living a longer, better quality of life than we ever imagined. They suffer less pain and sleep better, which means they stay more active and keep the ol’ heart pumping. Medications also help control many Brothers’ high cholesterol and blood pressure – and we all know how important that is!
So, what’s the problem? We’re having a tough time keeping up with rising prescription costs! Last year, our out-of-pocket Rx costs per month averaged $2,300. Between all our elderly and disabled Brothers living in a Marist Brothers’ retirement facility, that meant roughly $27,600 in annual prescription costs!
We tweaked our 2018 budget to reflect these numbers, but with prescription costs on the rise and more elderly and disabled Brothers than ever needing daily medications, we’re already about $9,000 over our planned budget. And the year is barely half over!
I don’t know how we’ll keep up with prescription costs without your help!
If you – or a loved one – depend on certain medications, then you understand how important this letter is. We can’t deny the Brothers what they need. And to save every possible nickel, we always go with generic drugs when available.
Can we count on your gift, so our elderly and disabled Brothers continue to receive the medications they need?
No matter how hard we try, it’s absolutely impossible to predict what medications will cost each year. Why just yesterday we picked up three prescriptions and our copay was $87. This is becoming far too common a burden, and we truly need your help with these expenses.
Whatever you can afford to send – whether a gift of $15 or $25 – will be so appreciated and such a welcome relief!
In fact, I can’t stress enough how important every gift is – large or small! Like the two nickels I tucked in with my letter, the coins alone don’t purchase much these days. When you add many more nickels, though, the total grows. In the same way, after we add your generous gift to those of our many caring and devoted Marist Brothers’ friends, we’ll have a cushion to cover all our elderly and disabled Brothers’ monthly prescription needs.
I also want to remind you that our elderly and disabled Brothers serve in a ministry of prayer – and they would be honored to remember your special intentions each day. So please, do take a moment to write your prayer intentions on the enclosed response slip and send it back to me along with your gift. We will thank God for your generosity.
In closing, I hope you’re enjoying July’s glorious warmth and beauty. Right outside my office window, the daisies blanket a sunny patch wuth their simple elegance. I hope you, too, are enjoying God’s blossoming artwork.
God bless you for caring,
Br. Hugh P. Turley, F.M.S.
Director of Development
