Silver Bells lifts home-bound seniors’ holiday spirits

What the gifts mean to one recipient

For Anne, 78, the wheelchair ramp at her one-story Millington home is her outlet to sunshine and to watch her pet cats purr and go.

Her brother, who built the ramp, passed away about two years ago, and while Anne lives alone (minus her cats) she’s embraced two Meritan home care workers, Sylvia and Valerie.

Silver Bells Presents

“The gifts are personal, that means a lot. And the items are high quality,” Anne said.

Both of them regularly visits Anne and typically serves up a big breakfast – turkey sausage, hash browns, eggs meet her appetite. They also take care of house chores and her personal needs.

“It’s routine. They know ahead of time what I want to eat, no questions asked,” she said smiling.

Anne, who grew up in San Diego, then made her way to Maine before the Mid-South thanks to her late husband’s Naval service, is the final blood member of her family.

She’s received help from Meritan for several years and particularly appreciates the Christmas gifts each holiday through Meritan’s Silver Bells program – one in which area companies and individuals sponsor and provide seniors’ wish lists.

“The gifts are personal, that means a lot. And the items are high quality,” Anne said.

While last year her gifts included pajamas, a shawl and personal care items, this year she needs a microwave to replace her broken one.

Canvass for a cause

The Memphis Art Commission’s fundraising event on Sept. 12 offers a chance to sponsor a local artist’s painting that will become a Silver Bells present for a homebound senior. Click here: https://loom.ly/sKZV7yc

Anne praised the personal attention and punctual responses to her home care needs Meritan provides. She said Syliva and Valerie “fulfill her family home.”

The Silver Bells program annually provides individual Christmas gifts, and then delivers them personally to over 300 homebound seniors.

To learn more and to be a sponsor click here.