Dear Friends,
In our large, 4-story Marist Brothers’ retirement facility, the elevator failed a recent inspection. Apparently it’s not up to code! To comply with current code, we must install “Door Position Detectors,” which prevents an elevator from moving between floors if the doors aren’t properly closed.
Even though this update will cost $11,961.34, it’s certainly not what I would call a reckless expense. Can you imagine how frightening – and dangerous – it would be to stand in an elevator with the doors wide open as you lurched to the next floor?
And according to law, if we don’t complete the mandated safety upgrade soon, we’ll be forced to take the Brothers’ elevator out of service. Many of our elderly and disabled Brothers just aren’t agile enough to climb up and down stairs, and we cannot leave them stranded in their third and fourth floor bedrooms. Scheduling the required upgrade is our only option!
Now we need to figure out how to cover the $11,961.34 cost. It’s definitely not a line item in this year’s budget. No one anticipated an elevator upgrade of this magnitude.
Today I turn to you – as a devoted Marist
Brothers’ friend – and humbly ask for your support.
I wouldn’t reach out for your help if the elevator wasn’t essential. Brothers who depend on a wheelchair or walker rely on the elevator to move about the house – whether that means joining fellow Brothers for meals in the ground floor dining room or attending morning and afternoon prayers in the second floor Chapel.
Please send your gift today. We need to collect $11,961.34 as soon as
possible – so our Brothers’ stay safe and their elevator passes inspection!
When I first heard about the elevator’s failed safety inspection, I wondered if the darn thing was worth updating. $11,961.34 is a large investment! Perhaps we could just hang an “Out of Order” sign and be done with it. But then it hit me.
That elevator allows us to keep most of our elderly and disabled
Brothers at home – rather than in an expensive, long-term nursing facility.
Home is where they belong! But staying home means that a Brother must have some degree of independence and mobility. Otherwise, our only other option would be a nursing facility. That’s never a first choice!
Your generosity will mean so much to every Brother!
And I want to remind you that every gift – large or small – is generous. Think of the nickels with my letter. They add up to little on their own. Now imagine adding many more nickels and watching the total grow. In the same way, if every Marist Brothers’ friend sends a gift, the support adds up. We will soon have the $11,961.34 to update our elevator!
By the way! My Brothers asked me to remind you about the enclosed response slip. Remember to write down your prayer intentions before sending the slip back to me with your gift. When your gift arrives, the Brothers and I will thank God for your support and include your prayer intentions in our prayers for you and your loved ones.
In closing, every Marist Brother hopes that you and all those you hold dear have been enjoying a glorious and peaceful Easter season. Please know that we are praying for you in a special way.
God bless you for caring,
Br. Hugh P. Turley, F.M.S.
Director of Development
