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Can you imagine what it’s like to be 85, living in a Senior Healthcare facility and have no family?

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Contact:

Patricia Gallagher – BA, MBA

Cell: 267 939 0365

 storiesforseniors@gmail.com

 

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Stories for Seniors Project distributes new and gently-used stuffed animals and lap blankets such as crocheted, knitted and quilted afghans and fleece throw blankets to offer care and comfort to Seniors living in nursing homes,  AIDS Hospices, retirement communities, Veterans Hospitals, shelters, cancer support groups, life recovery groups and other places where people need hope, comfort and encouragement. Also, small items that bring joy such as tissue paper corsages, and small Dollar Store type items. Items that might just make people forget their problems for a little while.  Sometimes it is just the little things that can brighten a person’s day.

 www.storiesforseniors.wordpress.com

 

 

 

 For quite some time, I have been visiting  people residing in a variety of senior living communities.  We  give each resident  their choice of a cozy lap blanket, a small gift from the Dollar Store, a tissue paper corsage or a new or very gently used stuffed animal.

BUNNY STUFFED PLUSH ANIMAL...Product Details

Many of the seniors are in wheelchairs, with big wheels, metal sides and brakes, far removed from the way they used to get around.

If we put ourselves in their shoes for a moment, what would it mean if someone brought in a beautiful, soft blanket  that could lay across our lap? Or a stuffed animal, such as an adorable white fluffy poodle, that reminded  the residents of  a forsaken long- time companion?

Not really for warmth but for comfort, a symbol of a spirit of giving. The blankets and stuffed animals, perhaps, are an inventive way to say thanks to the Vets for their service, maybe even an expression of Thanksgiving.

And a small gift for the other Seniors who feel sad and alone. What kind of gift would they like?

Maybe a little gift of note paper, a pack of gum, a bag of  hard candy, some hand lotion or something that  you may  have in a bureau drawer that you would like to “re-gift.”

 Something small that you no longer need but can be given away to put a smile on another person’s face.

Some of these wonderful seniors are confused at times, and may be thinking of the old days when they were opening a can of tomatoes to prepare a meal for their family or singing heartily in their church choir.

How wonderful a soft stuffed animal and blanket is to cuddle with!

 

AND I OFFER A FUN ONE HOUR PROGRAM THAT ACCOMPANIES THE STUFFED ANIMAL DISTRIBUTION.  Interactive, joyful, fun  and colorful!

http://storiesforseniors.wordpress.com/inspirational-and-fun-programs-offered/

Please call or email to share ideas. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you!

Contact:

Patricia Gallagher, BA, MBA

storiesforseniors@gmail.com

www.storiesforseniors.wordpress.com

Director of  the Stories for Seniors Project

Cell: 267 939 0365

Please call or email before collecting items so we can share our current needs. Lap blankets – approximately 5′ by 5′ or less.

www.patriciausa.com

 

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“I went to a small girls’ college near Pittsburgh,” she said.

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Patricia,
How many days a week do you do this? I love this little elephant. I only had one “ratty looking” stuffed animal when I was a kid. It was during the depression. I love art and went to college to study art and that is a good thing. It helped me when I had my mental illness that I inherited from my father. When I was in the midst of it, I didn’t just sit around, I did artistic things, especially loved doing water colors. I went to a small girls’ college near Pittsburgh.

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Do you have any costume jewelry that you no longer want?

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Around Christmas time, a few of my friends donated some seasonal necklaces, pins, earrings and bracelets. The women in the senior living communities loved the bangle bracelets and bright assortment of costume jewelry.

So this is what I just posted on my Facebook page. Perhaps, you have some jewelry that you no longer need. Please nothing tarnished or used-looking. I can place the items in little boxes with cotton and I am sure the trinkets will be so appreciated! Thank you

Oh, another nice thing that the ladies in the nursing homes would love to have – your cast-off costume jewelry. It has to look new because of course, they are very fussy about what I bring in to the residents. So if you have any of the patriotic red, white and blue necklaces and bracelets, or the seasonal pins and clip on earrings or if you have any jewelry that is “small” for me to take – that would be great. The 11,550 stuffed animals that I collected over the past 3 years took up all of the room in my car and my basement. Time to move on to a new giveaway to the sweet ladies – many of whom do not have any family or friends that visit. Thank you!

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Stefanie’s stuffed animals – A note that I just sent to her mother.

Her teenage daughter died tragically and she wanted to give me her stuffed animals to share with the people that I visit. Heartbreaking.

Hi Denise,
I have been thinking about the special box sitting by my front door with the stuffed animals. I want them to go to special people who really need to feel the love. Over the weekend, I was going to take them to an AIDS Hospice on Erie Avenue where I have been before…….but then today I decided to take them to a nursing home in Philadelphia, right off of Rising Sun Avenue. I am going to be there at 1:45 pm today and I am going to look into the eyes of the residents and really see who needs something to cuddle and hold.

Stefanie will be there today and your gifts will be warming a dozen hearts about an hour from now. I know this was so hard for you to do. I am trying to put myself in your place in my mind and ……it is impossible for me to imagine. May God bless you and all of the ladies who will have a little bit of Stefanie’s love in their arms today.

With gratitude and prayers,
Trisha

And this is what happened:

What people said:
I love this angel stuffed animal. It plays music. Nobody is going to get this from me. Not even my grandchildren. They have enough of their own. I am going to put her right on my bed. Oh, I just love her!

Why do I like this one? Well, first of all because it is so big. I will feel like I have company in my room; I am going to pretend that this is my companion.

I am going to take this one right back to my room. I do not want anyone to steal it or get it dirty. I like it because it has a dress on and looks fancy. I like to look fancy too.

I wish I could post the pictures of the residents holding the stuffed animals. I took some pictures to show Denise, Stefanie’s mother but I do not have permission to publish them publicly but I wish that I could because the dozen stuffed animals that Denise donated warmed so many hearts today and filled a room with smiles. And love from a mom and daughter.

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Stefanie’s mother – grieving and sharing with others in Stefanie’s name

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We just topped the 11,500 mark of collecting new and gently-used stuffed animals to take on my nursing home visits. A box arrived today from UPS and I was “afraid” to open it. I knew it was from the mother of Stefanie – I was afraid because I knew it would make me so sad.

“Hi Trisha, It took awhile but I finally did it. I wasn’t able to give them all up, but I did part with a least a dozen. I hope they are able to brighten someone’s day. I kept some to put on Stefanie’s grave. I use them throughout the year; you’d be surprised how well they hold up in the weather. Thank you for letting me and Stefanie be a part of what you are doing.” Sincerely, Denise (Stefanie’s mom)

Hi Denise,

The box arrived yesterday and I was afraid to open it. Nobody’s donation has made me feel this way, because I know that it comes from such a loving mother and a beautiful daughter and the most heartbreaking story. I am going to be so careful and so thoughtful about who I give these to – they must go to someone who needs comfort and hope and can feel Stefanie’s loving heart with the stuffed animals. Thank you so much for sharing Stefanie with the lonely souls in the nursing homes. We will have to have our cup of tea sometime – you, me and my friend Terri.

This is the email that I received from Stefanie’s mother after I sent her pictures of the seniors in a nursing home who “adopted” the stuffed animals.

Hi Trisha, thank you soooo much for sending the pictures. A picture is definitely worth a thousand words. It made me cry but I am so happy to see they could make someone else smile. You are the best !!!!!!!

Hi Denise,

I wish you could have been there to see the happiness and the love that the residents were giving to the lovely stuffed animals. They are in good hands, and sitting on beds and windowsills at Wesley Enhanced Living in the Lawndale area. I really wanted to make sure that I gave them to the people who would appreciate them the most. It was a tie between there and Calcutta House which is the AIDS housing on Erie Avenue. I know that where they went was assuredly the RIGHT PLACE for Stefanie’s love and personality to comfort and bring smiles – a little bright spot in their days. Thank you. Many prayers always for you and your family, Trisha

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A letter that I received from a senior living resident

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Dear Patricia,

I’ve found it difficult to deal with the high incidence of depression, “cliques”, back-stabbing, etc. that is present in our building. We have many lovely, friendly, persons living here who do not engage in these types of behaviors, however, these issues help to prevent others from fully enjoying this place, which is now “our home”. Any information you may be able to supply that you feel may be useful would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance, Respectfully, Alice