PVM Foundation Your Giving Matters Holiday 2021

Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation

GIVING

matters

A newsletter for donors and friends of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation

R O F T F I G E! D I S N I YOU OOKBOOK

YC HOLIDA IAL RECIPES PEC WITH S M RESIDENTS V FROM P

FIGHTING BACK Your Donations Keep Vernice Moving Forward!

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FIGHTING BACK

“The doctors wondered at my age, 78, if surgery was a viable option. I did have successful surgery. Without exercising daily at the Wellness Center prior, who knows what would have happened?”

– VERNICE HARPER

THROUGH HARDSHIPS AND HEALTH SCARES… VERNICE IS FIGHTING BACK!

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ernice Harper is a current resident at the Village of Oakland Woods in Pontiac. After two bouts with cancer, being a single mother, and dealing with financial hardships she is still fighting back and enjoying each day to the fullest. With your donations Vernice is stronger than ever.

Please enjoy her story of triumph over adversity.

As you read, you can proudly witness how your donations to the PVM Foundation played a pivotal role in her recovery. Thank you donors!

Nashville, Tennessee is where Vernice started off raising her four children. However, she went through a tough divorce and moved her family back to Michigan. “My oldest was 10 and my youngest was 5. We moved in with my mom.

Now being the sole provider, I needed to find work, fast,” says Vernice.

Thank YOU Donors for Being There for Her. 2 Your GIVING matters

HOLIDAY 2021

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FIGHTING BACK

In 1973 she took a job at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan. She worked there for 30 years, first as a secretary and ending in a management position as a electronic data interchange consultant.

As retirement approached, she decided to buy a home in Canton with a gentleman she planned to marry. The marriage was called off and Vernice kept the home and mortgage. To make matters worse, in 2008 she lost a sizable amount of her retirement in the market crash.

“ The Village is exactly where I’m supposed to be at this point of my life.”

“I was left with a big house, limited resources, living alone and feeling isolated. I was so bored there. Something had to change,” states Vernice. What changed was a decision to sell the house, get more active and make new friends. “I searched the internet for 55+ communities and found the Village of Oakland Woods and right then I said that is where I want to live”.

– VERNICE HARPER However, cancer had other plans. Almost 10 years after recovering from breast cancer, she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

As she was planning to move, Vernice received the news that she had breast cancer. Her first months at The Village of Oakland Woods were very different than she thought.

“The doctors wondered at my age, 78, if surgery was a viable option. I did have successful surgery. Without exercising daily at the Wellness Center prior, who knows what would have happened?”, states Vernice.

After 9 months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she walked into The Village of Oakland Woods Wellness Center, which is funded by your thoughtful donations, to regain some of the strength that she had lost.

It has been almost a year and a half since her lung cancer diagnosis and surgery. If you see her today, you would have no clue that she’s been through two major health scares.

“I am so happy to be here. My kids say I am the busiest senior citizen they know. Nothing is holding me back, not even cancer!”

“Having the Wellness Center nearby gave me a routine to get out of the house and meet people. I was getting stronger each day and feeling great,” Vernice says with confidence.

The Village of Oakland Woods is in the process of expanding its campus to double the number of older adults served. Because of donors like you, the new addition will be here very soon to welcome the next Vernice Harper!

At this point, Vernice was riding high. She was one of the original members of the resident chorus, became the secretary of the resident council and won 9 medals at the PVM Village Victory Cup (another project funded through your donations!).

To make a donation, visit pvmf.org or use the reply envelope enclosed with this newsletter.

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248-281-2040

Your GIVING matters

HOLIDAY 2021

GRATEFUL FOR GIFTCARDS

YOUR DONATION IN ACTION SUMMER STORMS & POWER FAILURES = RESIDENTS IN NEED 2021, especially the summer, was the year of the powerful rain storms. Our guess is almost everyone reading this article, lost power a few times in 2021. The storms hit others even harder with flooded basements and damaged roofs.

Again thank you for being there!

The residents were so relieved and full of thanks for the gift cards they received. Several heartfelt thank you notes followed expressing their appreciation. Attached is one of the notes from a Village of Redford resident.

PVM residents were not immune to the damages done by the storms. Thankfully you, the caring donor, were there for them. Your thoughtful donations to the PVM Resident Emergency Help Fund saved the day for many who were hard hit by storms.

Here’s to 2022 not being as stormy! However, with all of your kind donations, we know that together we can weather anything Mother Nature throws at us! Thank you!

17 residents applied for emergency aid during a very hot week in the summer when the power was out. These residents all live on a very meager budget and their sole source of income is a small amount from social security.

The prolonged power outage meant the loss of much of their refrigerated food. The task of restocking their fridge was daunting with limited resources. They looked to you for help.

Thank you for being there!

THE RESIDENTS WERE SO RELIEVED AND FULL OF THANKS FOR THE GIFT CARDS THEY RECEIVED. SEVERAL HEARTFELT THANK YOU NOTES FOLLOWED EXPRESSING THEIR APPRECIATION. Each resident received a gift card for a local grocer and were able to replenish the much needed food. Without your donations to the PVM Foundation this would not have occurred.

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PLEASE DONATE TODAY

Why you’re needed…

THE HOLIDAYS AREN’T HAPPY FOR EVERYONE. It is not the most wonderful time of the year for some seniors

Every year, as the holidays approach, families gather together, celebrate with festive decorations, enjoy feasts of all flavors, and exchange gifts.

This year Ann, 92, will be alone at Christmas after her last two friends and sister died last year.

There will be no one to share a laugh with at the breakfast table or over a TV show. Not one visitor to chat with during the day.

“ If no one invites me, I will watch the television.”

Ann needs you! If no one invites Ann to a holiday dinner, she’ll watch the television.

Making a gift today will help fund social activities like a holiday party at the Village where Ann lives. Social activities give seniors like Ann a place to meet friends, enjoy a holiday celebration and give thanks. With your donation, you can keep Ann from extreme loneliness. You can make it possible for her to participate in holiday parties, social outings, shopping trips and more.

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MY HOLIDAY GIFT TO SAVE A LIFE AND FIGHT LONELINESS! to help a senior facing the holiday alone.

YES! I❍want Here is my gift of: $___________________ To donate: Visit PVMF.org/donate or use the reply envelope enclosed with this newsletter.

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Thank you!

Your GIVING matters

HOLIDAY 2021

PAYING IT FORWARD

VILLAGE OF EAST HARBOR RESIDENT IS PAYING IT FORWARD!

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illage of East Harbor (Chesterfield Township) resident, Janet Lickman, recently joined the PVM Foundation’s Calvin Society. The Calvin Society recognizes individuals who generously commit to leaving a legacy gift to PVM once they have passed, to support future older adults.

“This process of leaving a gift made me feel great. It gave me a sense of purpose to help future residents at East Harbor”, Janet proudly proclaims on her decision to leave a gift in her will.

Janet has been a resident at East Harbor since 2018.

Her reasons for moving there were two fold. One reason being, Janet knew parents of a long time co-worker living at East Harbor. The other main driver, Janet had been an ongoing caregiver for her mother, who now needed more care than Janet could provide.

Ultimately, Janet and her mother both moved into the Village of East Harbor. “Being able to walk over and see mom each day, was a Godsend. I was grateful to have that time with her,” says Janet about living at East Harbor.

“I enjoy all the activities at the Village and I know they cost money to perform. My gift will help pay for future residents to enjoy everything I enjoy today.”

Currently, Janet is the President of the East Harbor Resident Council. She also volunteers with the PVM Foundation. If you have ever received a resident thank you call for your donation. It could have been Janet.

“I enjoy all the activities at the Village and I know they cost money to perform. My gift will help pay for future residents to enjoy everything I enjoy today. I am so pleased to be able to give back,” states Janet with a smile.

– JANET LICKMAN

Any bequest, large or small, can make a difference.

Thank you Janet for making the decision to pay it forward by remembering PVM/East Harbor in your will.

Will you join Janet in paying it forward? Please consider adding PVM to your will, giving residents like Janet, a higher quality of life.

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

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

DID YOU KNOW? Thumbs up or thumbs down on moving?

Thumbs down seem to have it.

I have moved only a few times in my life. Each time I say that is the last time I will ever move. It’s exhausting! Then I ask myself how did I accumulate so much stuff- especially boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations?

PAUL J. MILLER, CFRE, PRESIDENT, PVM FOUNDATION

Moving is one of the bigger changes in your life. As we get older the thought of moving can become very overwhelming.

Did you know…

A LeadingAge study concluded that 77%-90% of older adults want to remain in their current residence as long as possible. My parents and in-laws are no exception.

Because you decided to give, PVM is able to invest in creative ways to serve older adults who are not living directly at a PVM Village. Your donations enable PVM to provide home and community based services.

With these services an older adult can choose to live at their existing home without moving as long as they are able. Thank you!

I will tip my holiday glass in each of your honor. Home for the holidays means even more as we age. Thank you for making it possible for older adults to remain in their Holiday homes!

Merry Christmas and thank you for caring about older adults.

Cheers!

Merry Christmas!

Paul J. Miller, CFRE President, PVM Foundation

GIVING matters

A publication of the Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation.

For more information, questions or story ideas, please contact Paul Miller, at 248-281-2045 or email pmiller@pvm.org.

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Your GIVING matters

HOLIDAY 2021

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NOTES

DENISE APPRECIATES YOUR GIFT TO THE PVM RESIDENT EMERGENCY HELP FUND!

DENISE NEWELL, RESIDENT AT THE VILLAGE OF PEACE MANOR (CLINTON TWP.)

Merry Christmas AN D H A PPY NEW YE AR!