Bessie’s Hope is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit. all donations are tax deductible
Bessie’s Hope is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit. all donations are tax deductible
Escuela de Guadalupe has partnered with Bessie’s Hope for many years. The benefits to the youth are as meaningful as to the elders. The students and the residents at Gardens at St Elizabeth have created beautiful relationships and art projects. They enjoy getting to know each other, the youth listening to the stories the elders share with them; the elders listening to what’s going on at school. Dancing, reading, hugging, creating—cherished time.
Key Club at Mountain Vista High School
“This past weekend, young women the Key Club at Mountain Vista High School gathered to spend an afternoon with the youthful residents of Brookdale Crossings, an assisted living memory care community. These students came together with no expectations and open hearts only to find something much more than anticipated; a deep connection to last a lifetime.
The visit started with a beautiful song that was sung by all in the room. Words chosen by the residents were passionately sung by all and included verbs like happy, helpful and sane. These may be only words for some but to the residents at Brookdale Crossings, these were prayers they were singing out for all to hear.
Watching the visit unfold was nothing short of a beautiful moment for many there. The group discussed their favorite musical influences and there was much more in common than expected. Names like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Cash were humming throughout the room right alongside with laughter, dancing and good conversation. By the end of the program, “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole was playing in the background while the elders from Brookdale were full of smiles and praise of what these girls had brought to them; love. The visit closed with lots of embracing and “see you soon’s”.
When it was time to debrief with the program director, the volunteers were overwhelmed by a wide range of emotions. It seems to be a common theme for Bessie’s Hope, as there is always something extraordinary that you leave with, such as hope, happiness, compassion and respect for the generations that have gone before us. I myself have been known to be somewhat speechless after a program. There usually isn’t much to say, but much to be felt. Something just short of a magic happens at these visits, and the only way to keep the magic alive is to volunteer, donate and spread the word. Every dollar matters, because every elder in a nursing home or assisted living matters, and every city should have a Bessie’s Hope, because everybody deserves a little hope.”
Jessica Kaczorowski,
New York, September 6, 2012 – The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Foundation is pleased to announce that DDR Corp.’s Aspen Grove shopping center located in Littleton, Colo. has been named the 2012 U.S. Community Support Award western region winner for their “Queen for a Day” program. The award was given out during a special ceremony at ICSC’s NOI+ Conference, on Sept. 5th at the Peabody Orlando, in Orlando, Fla. Teaming up with Bessie’s Hope, a program that organizes visitors for nursing homes, Aspen Grove was able to use their position in the community to initiate the “Queen for a Day” campaign.
This monthly program honors a nursing home elder who receives little to no visitors to make them feel loved and important. Each month a senior citizen is selected and treated to a day out at Aspen Grove receiving a free lunch, specialty foods to take home, a new outfit, salon services, and home décor items. To date there have been eight elders who have been bestowed with this honor. This program not only gave the selected elders tangible gifts that were greatly needed, but it also afforded them the chance to feel special. The Foundation’s Community Support Award program, established in 2006, is a worldwide awards program that honors corporate social responsibility and community outreach efforts of shopping centers for charitable initiatives.
To support Aspen Grove’s philanthropic cause, a $5,000 donation from the ICSC Foundation will be made to the “Queen for a Day” campaign. Professional recognition for this award was given to Dawn Marie Lecklikner, regional vice president of shopping center marketing, DDR Corp.; Kim Calder, marketing director, DDR Corp.; and Margie Munoz, general manager, DDR Corp.
Ms Calder and Ms Munoz presented the $5,000 contribution to Bessie’s Hope co-founder, Linda Holloway, during the October Queen for the Day lunch at Panera Bread of Aspen Grove. “Queen” Elizabeth Horner, 91-yr young resident of Cherrelyn Health Care Center, stated, “Everyone should get to feel this special at least once in their life. I am so grateful.”
For more information about Denver-based, Bessie’s Hope and its many programs that engage schools and other youth groups (many from at-risk youth organizations and lock-down facilities); individuals; families; corporations; churches; and civic organizations to alleviate the loneliness in so many nursing home elders’ lives and bring them the respect and honor they deserve, contact www.bessieshope.org or call 303-830-9037.
