Did you know that loneliness and isolation are damaging to our health? Research continues to show that lacking social connections is as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. That’s serious!Of course this is not really news to us: Little Brothers has always known the value and importance of the friendship and service thay you – our volunteers – give to our elderly friends.One of our elders said it best when she was speaking about her last holiday visit: “I rely on you (Little Brothers) to get me to my doctor’s appointments – this is important to me. But when I come home and see the flowers left by the volunteers after the visit I remember that someone is thinking of me, and I feel less lonely.”At 81, Ruth no longer has family in the state and she frequently feels isolated. This winter has been particulary difficult for her – as it has for all of us – and cabin fever only adds to her feelings of loneliness. But Ruth knows that she can rely on her friends at Little Brothers to offer the support she needs.The fast approaching Easter/Passover program is one way that we offer this support. On April 5 two-hundred of you will come forward to bring meals and flowers to elderly friends like Ruth. While the meal is important, having someone come and spend time can prove even more so. The food will nurish for a few hours, but the knowledge that are not forgotten will stay with our old friends long after the volunteers have left.It goes without saying that we need and welcome you to volunteer for this program, we recognize and deeply appreciate the time and love you have given to our Old Friends, but we are also asking that you lend your financial support. As volunteers you know well where your gifts go and you recognize the important role that you play in the lives of our old friends.
As we look forward to our Easter/Passover programs and to the year ahead, we ask for your help. Please consider a gift of $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford. Join with us in reminding our elderly friends that they haven’t been forgotten.
With deepest gratitude,
Nikki Therrien
Executive Director
