By Niki Strachila
Marketing & Communications Specialist, Homage Senior Services
Linda Whitesell has dedicated much of her life to helping older adults. For more than 50 years, Whitesell served as a geriatric nurse and, after retiring in 2009, became a volunteer delivery driver for Homage’s Meals on Wheels program.
For five years, Whitesell provided homebound residents with weekly meals. It was along her many stops and routine visits that she discovered the importance of Homage’s Minor Home Repair program.
“One of my clients was an elderly widow. She had a wood porch that had become rotten to the point where she was afraid to go outside,” Whitesell said. “I encouraged her to call the Minor Home Repair program. They came out and repaired the porch. While they were there, they did a thorough inspection of the home and found several other safety issues, which they fixed. The client was so grateful and pleased. I’m convinced this saved her from injury and allowed her to continue living independently.”
Whitesell recently got in touch with Homage Senior Service’s Philanthropy department to see how she and her husband, Dave, could help Homage and its clients this holiday season. When Whitesell heard the Minor Home Repair program was facing a lengthy 245-person waitlist and limited funding, she and Dave were determined to make a difference.
“We want a good quality of life for seniors and people living with disabilities, and this program helps those in need maintain their dignity and independence while leading full and enjoyable lives,” Linda said.
The Whitesell family decided to offer a $5,000 gift with the stipulation that it be matched dollar for dollar by other donors. They hope that by asking for a match and sharing their story, more proceeds will be raised for the Minor Home Repair program.
“This year, we received 33 percent less government funding for these essential home repairs. Private donations will fill the gap and allow us to continue serving our low income seniors and disabled homeowners who’ve been waiting for months for help,” said Alison Barnes, lead Minor Home Repair Program assistant. “Since March, we’ve had to turn away more than 130 requests due to lack of funding.”
To kick off the campaign to match the Whitesell gift, Homage reached out to staff, its board of directors, donors and volunteers. The organization has received amazing support so far but is looking to the greater Snohomish community to help meet its goal of $5,000. Gifts of any amount are gratefully accepted and will go directly to the Minor Home Repair program.
Donations can be sub- mitted online at www.homage.org or by sending cash or check to Homage Senior Services, 11627 Airport Road, Suite B, Everett, WA 98204-8714.
Donors must specify their gift is for the Whitesell Match, and donations must be submitted by Dec. 31. For information, contact Christina Mychajliw, 425-265-2294.
For more than 40 years, Minor Home Repair has assisted low and moderate income older adults and people with disabilities who own their homes.
The repair team provides health and safety repairs for individuals when they can’t perform them due to lack of funds or physical limitations.
To learn more about the Minor Home Repair program, visit www.sssc.org/home-repair.
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