The holiday season is merry and bright, but there are some for whom it may not be as merry and bright as it is for many of us. For the second year in a row, Missy Cushing of Windham had the idea to step up and volunteered to lead the Senior Holiday Giving for Ledgewood with others who helped her make the program a reality.
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| Missy Cushing of Windham, left, had the idea to gather and deliver more than 250 gifts to seniors at Ledgewood Manor in Windham during Christmas. She was joined in the effort by many other local volunteers and Santa's helpers. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
When she first asked the administrator for permission to do this, he said that it would be wonderful. Cushing was told that there were some people who made gift baskets of goodies but not individual presents of the seniors ' wishes.
This initially inspired Cushing to pull together donations for basic needs we agreed each senior had including new blankets, warm socks, and a picture frame for each senior. She posted some information on her Facebook page and family and friends instantly rose to the occasion and within 24 hours those needs were met.
This inspired Cushing to ask the activities coordinator at Ledgewood for an individual list of wishes from each senior, and to put together something for staff.
“I got the list and put out another post with the updated request and each senior's wishes,” said Cushing. “Again, my request was met with kindness and generosity by those who saw and reacted to the post, and a few friends offered to help me.”
Jen Stover and her daughter, Claire, as well as Della Jordan, who are Windham residents, and a few others formed the first group of helpers for a super successful senior holiday giving and together they accomplished gathering gifts from the wish list for each senior, and for each staff member.
In 2021, they gave over 30 seniors' gifts from their wish list along with over 30 blankets, pairs of socks, and a picture frame. The wish givers went above and beyond and Cushing estimates that they brought over 250 gifts to Ledgewood for 2021, to include either a new water bottle or travel mug for each of the about 50 staff members.
With all the helpers coming together, they coordinated, wrapped, and delivered the gifts to Ledgewood with Cushing's partner, Clem Bolduc, dressed as Santa Claus.
When Cushing reached out again this year, asking if they could do the same, Ledgewood administrators were enthusiastic and responsive and connected her again with their activity's director.
“I was a little worried this year as things have gotten more expensive and didn't know how well we'd do with responses in comparison with last year,” says Cushing. “I again reached out to family and friends, and there were some from last year who excitedly stepped right up, such as Laura Ingalls, a Windham resident. Within 24 hours of posting on my personal Facebook page, we had about a third of the seniors’ wish list spoken for.”
At that point, Cushing decided to put it out to the Windham community in general and had a lot of responses. This allowed for requests for blankets for each senior, as well as money donation for staff gifts, and offered to help with wrapping, picking up or dropping off gifts, and ideas for staff gifts.
“Together, we obtained all those things and with the $200 that our little group raised for staff gifts solely, we obtained 36 blankets in addition to having each of the 36 individual seniors' wishes granted by our amazing Windham community. We were certainly feeling the Christmas spirit and the excitement of giving, and this will be the motivation to keep this going, that spirit of giving,” says Cushing.
She said that she is humbled and awed by not only the willingness of the caring group of folks who helped last year and this year, but the support from the community was amazing.
“We had to turn people away. Windham is a big community but at its core so tightly knit and caring,” says Cushing.
According to Cushing, the reaction of the seniors when the gifts were presented was priceless.
“We heard comments from the staff about seniors who hadn't been verbal, laughing or making excited noises they rarely hear when Santa brought them their gifts,” says Cushing. “A few seniors teared up last year, with big smiles, and I saw for some a sense of perhaps relief as they opened requested basic hygiene products such as body wash or shampoo.”
Cushing’s heart swells every time she hears stories from staff members, and she is in awe at how very caring total strangers were executing their wish granted.
This year, 2022, they delivered well over 250 gifts. Blankets were a big request, as well as books, warm sweaters and other clothes and many other things.
“I am blessed for having the privilege of connecting with all these generous people,” says Cushing.<
Jen Stover and her daughter, Claire, as well as Della Jordan, who are Windham residents, and a few others formed the first group of helpers for a super successful senior holiday giving and together they accomplished gathering gifts from the wish list for each senior, and for each staff member.
In 2021, they gave over 30 seniors' gifts from their wish list along with over 30 blankets, pairs of socks, and a picture frame. The wish givers went above and beyond and Cushing estimates that they brought over 250 gifts to Ledgewood for 2021, to include either a new water bottle or travel mug for each of the about 50 staff members.
With all the helpers coming together, they coordinated, wrapped, and delivered the gifts to Ledgewood with Cushing's partner, Clem Bolduc, dressed as Santa Claus.
When Cushing reached out again this year, asking if they could do the same, Ledgewood administrators were enthusiastic and responsive and connected her again with their activity's director.
“I was a little worried this year as things have gotten more expensive and didn't know how well we'd do with responses in comparison with last year,” says Cushing. “I again reached out to family and friends, and there were some from last year who excitedly stepped right up, such as Laura Ingalls, a Windham resident. Within 24 hours of posting on my personal Facebook page, we had about a third of the seniors’ wish list spoken for.”
At that point, Cushing decided to put it out to the Windham community in general and had a lot of responses. This allowed for requests for blankets for each senior, as well as money donation for staff gifts, and offered to help with wrapping, picking up or dropping off gifts, and ideas for staff gifts.
“Together, we obtained all those things and with the $200 that our little group raised for staff gifts solely, we obtained 36 blankets in addition to having each of the 36 individual seniors' wishes granted by our amazing Windham community. We were certainly feeling the Christmas spirit and the excitement of giving, and this will be the motivation to keep this going, that spirit of giving,” says Cushing.
She said that she is humbled and awed by not only the willingness of the caring group of folks who helped last year and this year, but the support from the community was amazing.
“We had to turn people away. Windham is a big community but at its core so tightly knit and caring,” says Cushing.
According to Cushing, the reaction of the seniors when the gifts were presented was priceless.
“We heard comments from the staff about seniors who hadn't been verbal, laughing or making excited noises they rarely hear when Santa brought them their gifts,” says Cushing. “A few seniors teared up last year, with big smiles, and I saw for some a sense of perhaps relief as they opened requested basic hygiene products such as body wash or shampoo.”
Cushing’s heart swells every time she hears stories from staff members, and she is in awe at how very caring total strangers were executing their wish granted.
This year, 2022, they delivered well over 250 gifts. Blankets were a big request, as well as books, warm sweaters and other clothes and many other things.
“I am blessed for having the privilege of connecting with all these generous people,” says Cushing.<
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