Dear Friends,
A few weeks ago I sent you a letter explaining our looming budget deficit. With more senior Brothers than ever now living in our Marist Brothers’ retirement facilities, our needs are rising quicker than our budget can hand I reached out to you and asked for your financial support – so our senior Brothers’ essential medical needs never become a luxury and their quality of life may continue to be dignified, safe, and modestly comfortable. Do you remember that letter?
Perhaps in the flurry of Christmas activities, my letter fell behind a stack of holiday catalogs. I know how that can happen. So I decided to write again and ask for your support as soon as possible.
2017 is here – and our budget woes are still stamped “Urgent!” We’re a little bit more than $46,000 short of what we need.
Many Marist Brothers’ friends generously responded to my first letter, and we are so grateful. Sadly, though, I did not receive the response I prayed for, which brings me back to the $46,000 I still urgently need to balance our 2017 budget.
I assure you that every nickel you add to our annual budget will cover only essential needs. But even the simplest needs add up quickly – since today we care for nearly 80 Brothers who all need some level of skilled care. That means more doctors’ appointments and medications. Nursing care must be provided – around-the-dock for some Brothers. Of course, we have monthly bills for electricity, heat, snow removal, building maintenance, phones … and the list goes on.
Your gift has the power to protect our elderly and disabled Brothers’ continued care!
Your financial support is my last hope to close the gap between what our budget can cover and what my elderly and disabled Brothers need. I cannot reduce their quality of care! Nor can I idly stand by and pray that past due notices don’t pile up.
Unless I raise the $46,000 so urgently needed to balance our 2017 budget, I have no idea how we’ll manage.
But just as I begin to fear the worst, I remember that you have helped us in the past. Please look inside your heart and send as generous a gift as you can afford. Whether it’s a $25 or $50 gift, it will 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 when added to many more gifts from many more Marist Brothers’ friends.
I believe that the Lord led me to you for a reason, and you will answer my prayers with a generous donation.
Just as you are here for the Brothers, we are here for you, too! Please remember to write your prayer intentions on the enclosed response slip and send the slip back to me with your donation. It will give every Marist Brother great joy to thank God for your continued support and to also include your intentions in his daily prayers.
We look forward to hearing from you! Until then, my Brothers and I wish you and your loved ones a joyous 2017 – glowing with good cheer and happiness.
God bless you for caring,
Br. Hugh P. Turley, F.M.S.
Director of Development