Why Give to Seniors?

Every charity is a worthy cause. So why should you choose older adults as the beneficiaries of your holiday giving? Because your grandmother would tell you to donate to the babies, or donate for the puppies.

Our grandparents, whatever their age, grew up in a different world than we did. They worked hard and raised their children to have greater horizons than they did, and many raise their grandchildren as well. My grandparents were the first generation of our family to be born in the United States. My grandmother is the mother of three, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of five. She has always considered it her duty to take care of all of us, from combing a newborn’s hair to worrying about my mother’s health over her own.

Studies show that the next generation of seniors will be even more hesitant to ask for help. As Baby Boomers edge into their senior years, many are sandwiched between their parents and their children, taking care of one and still supporting the other. More than any other generation, they want to be independent.

I am lucky to be the daughter of a straight-shooter. My mother knows what she needs, when she needs it, and how to get it. I worry about when the day will come that she is no longer able to be so clear about these things, when I need to be the one taking care of her and giving her confidence that things will be all right. Watching her care for my grandmother has given me a good example, but I know it won’t be enough.

I support Senior Citizen Services because I know my mother will always worry more about me than herself.

-- by Jaclyn Barbarow
Grants & Gifts Manager

New Year's Resolutions and New Habits

What’s the first thing that comes to mind in January? A New Year’s Resolution! But I don’t “do” resolutions for the New Year… never have. One reason is because as statics show, most are not kept. However, what I do in replacement is to develop a new habit each year. I usually do this in December or late January. This allows me to not call it a New Year’s Resolution but rather “my new thing”.

One of “my new things” is to set a goal for charitable donations. I have always given but not on a planned basis. More like if there is extra money at the end of the month that extra money then goes to a charity or two. Mind you, not huge gifts, but remember it’s the small gifts that really count and add up tremendously. Think about all those $10 donations via text for the Red Cross to do good work in Haiti – they added up to tens of millions! My plan is to continue to support Senior Citizen Services as I always have but on a more planned basis. (I hope you do “your new thing” and join me in this supportive manner.)

I try to keep on hand a little extra money to support emergencies – again, thinking of Haiti. Or, when I read an article some time ago about the Georgia SPCA needing assistance, I was able to raid the small bucket to offer my support.

As an employee and donor of Senior Citizen Services, I value the fact that I know my donations really count, no matter the size. When employees give to the nonprofit for which they are employed that should tell the public a lot! The employees believe in the mission and work so much that they give back, and Senior Citizen Services’ employees really do give back.

If you have made a resolution, I hope it’s going well. If not, maybe think of it as now is the time to revisit it and make it your new “my new thing”. Good luck!

-- by Patrick O’Kane
Director of Operations