PVM Giving Matters Spring 2018

Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation

YourGIVING

matters

SPRING 2018

JOSIE HAD TO START ALL OVER

Because of you, she is STILL SMILING

STILL SMILING

“I HAVE LOVED LIVING AT THE VILLAGE OF OAKMAN MANOR SO MUCH!” – JOSIE

JOSIE HAD TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.

competition, the Village Victory Cup. That’s the kind of place Josie moved into—a place where you’re there for her.

When Josie was in her early sixties, she faced a crisis: her marriage ended and she found herself forced out of her home and into a new life.

When Josie moved in she lived in a market-rate or full-priced apartment. “I had a good job and I could afford the rent,” said Josie. THEN, things changed again. “The factory I worked for closed. I lost my job.

I was afraid I would lose everything, but because The Village of Oakman Manor offers affordable housing, I was able to stay. It was a blessing.”

“At first, I was afraid I would be lonely. This was the first time in 50 years I had to live on my own.

But I have loved living at The Village of Oakman Manor so much,” said Josie.

What could have been the worst time of her life became something wonderful.

After six months she found The Village of Oakman Manor in Detroit.

She’s been living at The Village of Oakman Manor for ten years now.“I don’t think I have an exciting life but I love every moment of it,” says Josie.

“Every day I go downstairs and I try to make people smile and have fun. I love to see other people have a good time.”

Donors have made The Village of Oakman Manor, and other PVM villages, more than a place to live. By giving, you reduce isolation, assist residents in financial need, and send residents to PVM’s annual senior wellness

2 Your GIVING matters

SPRING 2018

pvmf.org

STILL SMILING

“ I was afraid I would lose everything, but because The Village of Oakman Manor offers affordable housing, I was able to stay. It was a blessing.”

Aging can bring on scary life changes. Thank you for keeping older adults smiling in the face of fear!

You can give residents like Josie a great day to look forward to!

Please make a gift today!

That’s why Josie is one of the “cheerleaders” for The Village of Oakman Manor at the Village Victory Cup PVM’s senior wellness competition.

Every year she rallies her fellow residents to train for the June competition. “I can think of at least three ladies who I had to talk into going.

As soon as they saw how much fun it was they got into it! Now they’re making banners and signs and outfits—they can’t wait to go back.”

$25 per month

can send 3 residents to the Village Victory Cup!

$50 per month

Josie also spends her time helping other residents. “I’m lucky! I’m more mobile than some and I can do for others. We all watch out for each other. We’ll go to the grocery store if someone needs something, and we’re always checking in on one another.”

can provide all the awards – Gold, Silver & Bronze – for the event!

$100 per month

“I grew up very poor, and I appreciate everything anyone does for me—that’s why I like to do for others.”

can send an entire PVM Village!

To donate: Visit GiveToPVMF.org or use the reply envelope enclosed with this newsletter.

3 248-281-2040

Your GIVING matters

SPRING 2018

LIFE-LONG LEARNING

You’re needed locally...

DELORES COULDN’T HAVE WRITTEN HER STORY WITHOUT YOU. Delores from The Village of Our Savior’s Manor wrote her autobiography on computers in the library at her Village—computers made possible by donors.

BY GIVING TO PVM VILLAGES YOU’RE PROVIDING:

Delores from The Village of Our Savior’s Manor

3 Resident activities

in Westland wrote her autobiography using

opportunities to socialize and avoid loneliness.

the computers in the library at the village— computers made possible by donors. You gave

3 Technology upgrades tools to stay

her the tools she needed to express herself.

connected and creative.

Now, her book which details life-long struggles

3 Transportation a way to get to

with her father, feeling trapped into elopement

the doctor or the grocery store.

and trying to find herself after a lifetime of living for others—is about to be published. She’s

fulfilling a long-time dream. Where would her

…And so much more!

dream be without you?

Your donations do important work that can’t be done by the Villages or PVM alone; important work that can’t be done without you.

THANK YOU. You’re fantastic. Please keep up the great work!

Make your gift at GiveToPVMF.org today.

4 Your GIVING matters

SPRING 2018

pvmf.org

KEEP SENIORS SAFE

Why you’re needed…

OLDER ADULTS LIVING A NIGHTMARE IN UNTHINKABLE CONDITIONS Regina’s apartment was firebombed with her inside.

On a limited income with nowhere else to turn, Regina watched helplessly as prostitution, drug abuse and violence ripped through her building.

The last straw? Her apartment was firebombed with her inside. She hid, injured, and in fear for an hour before reaching a phone to call the police.

The hope? The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood

REGINA LIVED HER WORST NIGHTMARE WHEN HER APARTMENT WAS FIREBOMBED WITH HER INSIDE. SHE’S SAFE NOW, THANKS TO YOU.

was built that year in Detroit. Regina found new affordable housing and has been there ever since. She even emceed PVM’s gala in 2015!

✁

You can keep this from happening to someone else!

You care enough to give faithfully to the PVM Mission and you’re needed each and every day.

MY GIFT TO KEEP OLDER ADULTS OUT OF HORRIFYING CONDITIONS! want to help provide compassionate, comprehensive YES! Icare at Presbyterian Villages of Michigan.

❍ Here is my gift of: $___________________

To donate: Visit GiveToPVMF.org or use the reply envelope enclosed with this newsletter.

NAME COMPANY NAME

STREET ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

TELEPHONE

E-MAIL ADDRESS

ZIP

5 248-281-2040

Your GIVING matters

SPRING 2018

BETTY’S LEGACY

Retired teacher Betty did a wonderful thing.

SHE HONORED HER HAPPY HOME, FRIENDS AND FAMILY BY LEAVING A GIFT IN HER WILL.

A retired teacher, Betty left a gift in her will that helped build the Karl and Freida Kleemann Chapel at The Village of East Harbor and provide stained-glass windows.

Before her passing, Betty said she always believed in PVM’s mission to serve older adults.

She was delighted to honor her parents and a dear friend through the gift in her will.

Betty wanted to give back to her “happy home for these many years.” She wanted to make sure her gift would help future residents— people she’d never know! And she did! Today the chapel is a place where seniors of all faiths can gather, and Betty’s legacy shines!

Anyone can leave a bequest.

You have the power to answer future prayers today!

Contact us at 248-281-2040 or pvmfoundation@pvm.org to learn more, or visit mylegacy.pvmf.org.

BETTY, (FRONT LEFT IN PINK) HELPED BREAK GROUND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION KLEEMANN CHAPEL. INSET: BETTY STANDS WITH A RENDERING OF THE KLEEMANN CHAPEL. THANK YOU FOR LEAVING PVM IN YOUR WILL, BETTY.

6 Your GIVING matters

SPRING 2018

pvmf.org

LET’S TALK!

DID YOU KNOW? The origin of PVM – Hint: It all started with a gift.

Making a meaningful gift to do the things you think are important. That’s what Clarence D. Sterling did. Sterling is not only the namesake of a PVM donor society—he was the donor who started it all.

His gift to buy the land at The Village of Redford—now almost 75 years ago, is the reason PVM is here today. When I think about that, I’m amazed. What an incredible legacy that now reaches over 5,000 older adults!

Clarence Sterling was a very special individual, and so are YOU. Every donor does so much good.

PAUL MILLER, PVM FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

Thank you for staying involved. Older adults need you and you’re there. That’s something very special!

“We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.”

Paul J. Miller, CFRE

WINSTON S. CHURCHILL

P.S. Let’s talk! Give me a call any time at 248-281-2045

GIVING matters

A publication of the Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation.

pvmf.org

For more information, questions or story ideas, please contact: Bobie Clement, interim editor, at 248.281.7252 or email bclement@pvm.org

7 248-281-2040

Your GIVING matters

SPRING 2018

love

DONOR NOTES

THE TRAWICKS FROM THE VILLAGE OF ST. MARTHA’S IN DETROIT AT THE PVM GALA.

57

YOU’RE MAKING MICHIGAN THE BEST PLACE TO AGE WITH EVERY GIFT.

residents who’ve outlived their resources still have homes. Because of caring donors, residents who can no longer afford the rent can remain in their PVM home.

older adults trained for + 270 and attended PVM’s

Village Victory Cup, an Olympics-style wellness competition.

Here are three things you helped do in 2017!

950

vulnerable residents received updates to their villages—things like community kitchens, outdoor spaces, community gardens & more!

8 Your GIVING matters

SPRING 2018

pvmf.org