Community Connection Newsletter | November 2020 | News & Announcements
I hope this letter finds you safe and well. It is with great pride that I start off by commending each and every one of our staff members for their dedication and commitment to our residents and each other. Their ability to support each other through this time of turmoil is what keeps us coming back day in and day out.

I want to discuss FEAR.
 
Fear in the face of this pandemic. Fear of the unknown and when life will return to “normal.” If we are not careful, we can get pretty far down that rabbit hole with little to no way out, when we think of our Fear.

As we near these last few months of 2020, I know people are scared, and we thought back in the spring that once 2021 comes things would be “different.”  When I find myself needing a “pick-me-up,” I tend to turn to motivational reads, quotes or inspirational passages to give me some guidance. We need to come together now more than ever to support and lend our ears. I want to share some thoughts on FEAR from several books that I have read over the years that may provide you some sense of connectedness no matter where we are at, that we are in this together.
Leaders and teams take risks every day though they may be feeling great fear deep down. However, they use their courage to face their fears. It’s the only way we can become the person we always dreamed of becoming, the person we are at our core. Fear does not have to govern you or prevent you from doing the things that scare you. Fear is not asking you to stop! Instead, as we begin to see fear as a cheerleader, a teacher that is offering you in those scary moments, some real nuggets of wisdom, fear challenges you to listen, to believe in your abilities, and to trust the fierce person that you are!
Use all the courage you possess to face your fears. Don’t leave your courage behind. Carry your courage with you every day. I have learned that courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. Feel the fear and do it anyhow. (Gifford Thomas)

Fear has two meanings: Forget Everything and Run or Face Everything and Rise
Thank you for all of your sacrifices, your long days and sleepless nights, your flexibility with the changing guidelines and seeing your loved ones, the understanding of the changing world around us. Take care of yourselves. Give yourself some Grace. We are in this together, one day at a time.

Sincerely,
Beth Covault
Executive Director, Samaritas Grand Rapids 
Get Ready for The Last 2020 Class
Join in this virtual class from the comfort of your own home.
"Silver Bells and Whistles" - Porch Pots for Winter Floral Design Demonstration
Saturday, November 14 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Geniene from New Design Floral for a demonstration on filling porch pots with a variety of evergreens, winterberry, and other decorative elements meant to last the winter and add a little pizazz to those empty pots! We’ll also have a design demonstration on how to use those same materials to style a holiday centerpiece.
Family-friendly Holiday Event Coming Soon
Friday, December 18
Look for details coming on Samaritas.org or on our Facebook page for details about a wonderful upcoming holiday event the whole family can enjoy. It will take place on our campus in conjunction with the Samaritas Child and Family Services on the evening of December 18. 
Happy Veterans Day
The holidays are upon us, and one of those most important Holidays is Veterans Day!
We are excited to honor our veterans with many fun things on this day. For example from the Terraces team they will be having Wake Up Call at 8:30 am with Coffee and Donuts, and Mess Hall at 11am with a special lunch that they will be able to take to their apartment and we will honor them with a special prayer and poem as well. 

The Lodge team is excited to have activities that our residents will be able to experience from the safety of their own rooms, with announcements over the system of all those who have served, their rank and what division they served in. They will also be getting decorated treats that day to make sure we know who they are and what they did and how they sacrificed for our county. We appreciate all of them for all they did! Stay tuned, pictures will be in next month’s newsletter. 
See what else is going on at Samaritas this month!
IRA Charitable Rollover
If you are 70 or older – this may be perfect for YOU!
By: DeeDee McVety
Thank you for being part of the Samaritas Senior Living family. We are proud to serve you.

As a member of our Samaritas family, did you know that in addition to caring for seniors like you, our mission provides both help and hope for nearly 20,000 individuals each year?
 
Last year, our mission was illustrated through services that included more than 47,000 hot meals at our Westland Family Center and Saginaw Community Center. Our assistance also helped 247 women become confident members of society after being human trafficked, imprisoned or homeless. Samaritas also helped children without a safe home, find a Forever Family to call their own, through adoption.

These services and so many more, are continuing each day – and the challenge of meeting the needs in Michigan is tremendous. As the coronavirus pandemic has raged on, have you wondered how you could help?
 
If you are fortunate to have an IRA, one option to consider might be a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), also known as an IRA Charitable Rollover. While required minimum distributions have been waived this year, tax exempt gifts from IRAs are still available in 2020 and still offer tax benefits.
 
If you would like to use a gift from your IRA this year to help others who are struggling, please let us know.
 
A quick call to either of the caring professionals below can help you with a quick and easy step to put your gift to work for those who might otherwise be overlooked and without hope. 
 
 
Samaritas offers retirement living for seniors with five communities throughout Michigan. Whether you want independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support or rehabilitation therapy, you’ll find a home that feels right.

Contact us at seniors@samaritas.org to schedule a tour, learn about promotions and more.