Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Exciting News Plus a Heartwarming Story



Exciting news! There are now two new ways to donate to Betty Brewer’s Angels without spending a penny of your own money! Yes, that is right, you do not have to spend anything to help us alleviate loneliness of residents living in long-term-care facilities!   How does this happen? Simply put, many generous companies have charitable giving programs where they distribute a percentage of their income to non-profit organizations (like Betty Brewer’s Angels) when you use the companies’ services.
 
     
 After you read about these companies, please continue reading to end, so you will not miss the story about one of our amazing volunteers and how she has changed a resident’s life


1. Amazon Smile: Go to http://www.smile.amazon.com, log into your Amazon account or create an account if you do not have one, and then select Betty Brewer’s Angels from the list of eligible charities. Amazon will remember the charity you choose.

Then when you shop at Amazon, simply go to the www.smile.amazon.com web page instead of your regular Amazon page and shop from there.

Amazon.com and Amazon Smile use the same account so your shopping cart, wish lists, registries, and account settings remain the same. However, in order for a donation to be made to Betty Brewer's Angels by Amazon, your orders should be made from www.smile.amazon.com.

Amazon remembers your selection so when you look at the top ribbon (that bar at the top of your web page) of your Amazon page, it states you are donating to Betty Brewer's Angels.

Every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to Betty Brewer’s Angels. My browser remembers to take me to that page automatically. Easy-peasy!   (Even if you do not use the computer, please pass this information on to someone who does.)



2.  Thrivent Financial (Thrivent Choice Dollars program):  The Thrivent Choice Dollars program is through Thrivent Financial, a Fortune 500 not-for-profit membership organization of Christians.
The Thrivent Choice program offers a way for eligible members to recommend where Thrivent Financial distributes some of its charitable grant funds each year. When you designate Betty Brewer’s Angels as the non-profit charity, Thrivent will provide a percentage of their grant dollars to us.
Choice Dollars designated to eligible benefit members in 2015 must be directed by March 31, 2016.
If you wondering if are eligible to participate in Choice Dollars, or are uncertain about your eligibility, visit www.Thrivent.com/thriventchoice or telephone: 1-800-847-4836.  Again, could it be easier to help us help others? 

 Also please, do not forget, we have been a participating charity with Kroger for some time now through their Kroger Community Reward program.  All you have to do is register at www.krogercommunityreward.com, designate Betty Brewer’s Angels as your chosen charity, and then every time you swipe your Kroger Plus Card, Kroger gives a percentage of your purchase to us!



Here is one story how your dollars help us to make this world a better place.


Several weeks ago while making the rounds of long-term care facilities where Betty Brewer’s Angels’ volunteers visit, I found myself wishing that everyone who donated to Betty Brewer’s Angels could have been with me.  Then you, as I did, would have heard story after story about how our volunteers, by their weekly visits with the same resident, are changing lives.


Here is one of the many inspiring stories I heard that day.  While walking down the hallway, I was stopped by the facilities’ volunteer coordinator who wanted to tell me about the difference our volunteer, Martha (in photo), has made in the life of the resident she visits.




 Martha started volunteering with Betty Brewer’s Angels this summer.  The resident she chose to visit with was a woman who was so cranky the facility had difficulty keeping a roommate in her room.  The resident barely talked to anyone and when she did it was not always pleasant.  Also, she refused to leave her room.

Now, the volunteer coordinator told me, Martha has not only succeeded in getting the resident to leave her room but that whenever she sees Martha and the resident together they are always gaily chatting away.  And not just with each other, but with other residents too.  A total transformation! 


When I telephoned Martha to tell her what a difference she has made with her visits, Martha told me that last week when she was there, the resident called out to another resident asking him to come over to meet “my friend.”  After the residents were talking awhile the male resident said, “You certainly have changed for the better”.  If you ever want an honest opinion about anything, I advise you to ask a resident of a long-term-care facility. (smiling here)


Martha went on to tell me that when the resident she visits identified Martha as “her friend”, Martha’s heart just melted. She said it was the nicest compliment she could have received.

This is just one of the stories I heard that day about how our volunteers are bringing joy back into the lives of the lonely residents they visit.   You, by your prayers and donations, make these miracles happen every day.  


If you are interested in hearing more about the work Betty Brewer’s Angels do or are interested in being a part of our volunteering team, please contact me at 614-309-4677 or email me at bettybrewersangels@wowway.com.




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