To the St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation Community:
While we practice the recommended social distancing for the health of our loved ones and our community, in some ways, we may be closer than ever as we navigate uncharted, ever-changing waters. We are in this life together – through good times and bad, uncertain and unprecedented – and we will get through this trial together. In the middle of chaos, I’ve also witnessed many gestures of compassion and encourage you to reach out to others feeling vulnerable at this time in ways you feel able to do so.
At St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation, our role is to serve, to be ready, to be adaptable, and most of all, to be there for our seniors. While our environment may look different for the next few weeks, we are still committed to responding to their needs. Melissia, from Senior Solutions, has been calling all of our seniors to see how they are doing. Checking to make sure they have food and medicine, and are giving themselves a "break" from the stress of the daily news, and letting them know they can call us – even if they just need to talk.
Some of their responses to her calls have been heartwarming and some made us laugh! "God Bless all of you at St. Andrew’s!" "You all can call me if you need to talk too." "Thank you for continuing to send Margaret – she is the only person I am letting come in my home." "I’d quit watching the news if they’d quit interrupting my soap operas."
Several of you have asked how you can be of help to St. Andrew’s, and we can’t thank you enough for thinking of us and our seniors in need at this time. To ensure the safety and well-being of our St. Andrew’s community, we have decided to suspend all volunteering and visitors to our office until further notice. We will communicate any changes to this policy as we move forward.
While volunteering may not be an option, we continue to need your financial support. We have thoughtfully and responsibly managed St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation for nearly 13 years, in strong and weak economies, but none of us can predict the timetable or outcome of this unique period in time. The knowledge that you are behind us and are committed – in good times and bad, is the greatest gift you could provide.
Thank you and be well,
Linda Sanders,
Chief Development Officer