“What are those flowers for?” I was asked as I was placing them in the ground. I explained that each flower on the stakes represented a person being remembered or honored…because of their love. Because of the love of their family, individuals in our community have given in memory or in honor of someone special so that a difference in the lives of others will continue to be made.
So what is the Because of Their Love Campaign? Spend a few minutes with me thinking about what you look forward to each day. Then allow me to tell you about a man named Lee and what this campaign is all about.
For Lee, he looks forward to coming to Generations Adult Day Care, a place he can come to each day to be with friends for meals and activities…a place he has attended for the past 13 years.
Can you imagine the joy of coming to a place every day that makes you feel an immeasurable sense of purpose and happiness? Our community’s support has helped us create this atmosphere for Lee and others and we are so grateful!
Prior to attending Generations, Lee lived with his aging mother, but she sadly suffered a stroke and was placed in a nursing home where she passed away. Thankfully, a family friend invited him into their home to live and brings him each day to Generations. At Generations, Lee finds a sense of purpose and industriousness despite his challenges, one of which is a speech impediment that makes him very difficult to understand. During his time here, he helps staff with daily cleaning tasks, carrying meals and supplies around the agency in his wagon, and greeting all of our visitors with handpicked flowers or a picture he has drawn.
He shares these same gifts with the children, like Emery (pictured above with Lee) who attends Generations Child Day Care. The children love Lee’s easy presence, his enthusiasm for racecars, and the special tokens he offers them throughout the day that make him smile. One space that nurtures and cultivates amazing intergenerational experiences for participants like Lee and Emery is our shared outdoor space; however, it is in desperate need of renovation and updated outdoor fixtures.
We are in need of help to finish transforming our outdoor space into an area that our children and adults can enjoy together in a much more meaningful way. Donations will go specifically toward purchasing natural and sustainable outdoor fixtures for our shared outdoor space. Think about investing in the joy that an infant brings to the heart of a senior, as they are able to rock a baby in a new rocker. Think about smiles shared by toddlers and twenty-year old’s as they work together in an outdoor garden or make music on outdoor instruments. We know that by enhancing our existing spaces and experiences, enriched lives will be the result and all because of our community’s support…your support.
As we find ourselves in the season of honoring and remembering our mothers, fathers, grandparents and other special people in our lives, we invite you to consider making a donation in honor or in memory of your loved one through our Because of Their Love campaign. Your donation of any amount is greatly appreciated, and donations of $50 or more will be recognized by adding your loved one’s name to our virtual Family Tree that will be updated on our Facebook page regularly. Your loved one’s name will also be placed on a rose, which will beautifully decorate our lawn this summer for our community to remember and honor as well.
The beautiful flowers on our lawn are continuing to grow because of the generous support of our community. Will you help us finish transforming our space…giving Lee and Emery something to look forward to every day?
Donations may be made online by clicking here. Or you may mail a check made payable to Ashe Services for Aging Foundation, 180 ChattyRob Lane, West Jefferson, NC 28694.
Because of their love….a difference will be made because of you.
