You have heard it before - “It is better to give than to receive.” I am a big believer in this maxim. I will admit that at times, I have been ecstatic to receive a gift – especially, if the person was clearly thinking of me when they made or purchased it. And gracious knows, at Senior PharmAssist – especially in November and December when our mailbox swells – we are stunned by the generosity of our neighbors who invest in our work and trust us to be good stewards.
But I believe the giver is often the one most touched by the giving. In fact, it can be difficult to “receive,” but we know that building community takes vulnerability, and we need to do both.
Many of the people who need our help are also donors to the program. That is because they see the value in what we are trying to do.
If you are a donor or volunteer with Senior PharmAssist – I hope you know that you are helping our older neighbors keep their dignity in check by not having to go without the medications they need or that are taking medicines that may be causing more harm than good. Or maybe you understand that we are helping individuals navigate support for other basic needs because our “systems of care” are often cumbersome and disconnected.
Our staff and volunteers know that we receive so much every day from our participants. They give us the grace to better understand their needs and teach us resiliency - often stretching their dollars well beyond what I can imagine.
In a time of national and international stress, I hope this holiday season is sprinkled with peace for you, and an understanding that we need each other in this crazy ole world. Our inter-connectedness – as we are all givers and receivers – is indeed a treasured gift!
Happy Holidays from all of us at Senior PharmAssist!
