Children and adults in the community created these card to brighten a senior citizen’s day. Courtesy/LARSO
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Los Alamos Retired & Senior Organization
This has been a rough week in many ways, but I choose to focus on some of the truly stellar activities of our time.
The senior center is always looking for donations that can help the elders of our community, and that work still continues. We don’t put out particular requests unless we can’t find them, we just need regular daily items.
Those items include things many may be in search of:
- Bleach;
- Anti-bacterial wipes;
- Hand pump soaps; and
- Antibacterial sanitizer.
Simple items have revived many and boosted spirits along the way. Thank you to the Donation Angels.
My Love Warriors, the LARSO staff members and the hands that deliver the gifts you contribute are lucky to remain employed.
Recently, our financial donation drive called, Senior Services paid off in a way too important not to share with you. We caught wind of a member who couldn’t afford their pain medicine, simply waiting at the store. The Senior Services fund allowed us to rush right over and pick it up. The senior had been putting it off for some time. Tears welled up in their eyes when I told them someone had donated for just such an occasion. Then they asked if I would help them take their medicine right away.
Another beautiful thing this week was the arrival of a shower bench. It allows someone to be seated outside of the shower and slide over into the shower by simply lifting their leg. I put the request out for one and like magic it arrived at the center. I don’t know who to thank, but I’ve never been so excited to deliver a chair. It prevented a potential injury that very day.
Finally, we gave people an opportunity to make cards for our Home Delivered Meal seniors. Some are unable to get out or are particularly frail. The donation of cards that have been quarantined will be delivered today and next week. They come from children and adults and allow us to end a long week literally on a positive note.
The realization of what is happening in the world hits close to home this week. It makes the importance of us doing your shopping and picking up your medications even more imperative. It breaks our hearts when we see so many older folks out there not using a face mask. If you don’t have one, just cut up an old shirt you’ve been meaning to donate. Wash your hands or use antibacterial sanitizer when you enter or exit the store and wash things down when you get home.
Our membership is free for those 60 and over. Membership is just a few questions by phone, to get you into the system. We are at 505.662.8920 and you can leave a message 24 hours a day. The state is considering allowing us to extend those services to those 50-59 and we hope to know soon.