I got an urgent text message from Melissa, a wonderfully loving and devoted Mansion aide around 6 p.m. today, it was an SOS:
We’ve done this so many times, few words are necessary.
“We have a new resident and he doesn’t have any clothes other than what he is wearing. I gave him a shower and went down to the basement to find some clothes for him, but I thought of you and we need some help,” she texted.
I asked for more guidance. What kind of clothes, what size?
“Everything” she texted back, “extra-large.” She told me the name the staff had given the new resident, but I’ll just call him “G.” I have a protocol for this.
I called my two favorite consignment shops including Beverly at Carroll’s Trading Post. In the morning, Beverly will have a pile of clothes lined up and ready for me to see.
I know Melissa, this means he came to the Mansion with almost no clothes at all, he needs everything. I think I can find what he needs at the two consignment shops, I might have to go t0 Amazon for some of the items.
If any of you wish to help me get “G” what he needs, some toiletries also I expect and a jacket, you can donate via Paypal, [email protected], or via Venmo, [email protected].
You can also donate by check, Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
If there is any overage, it will go into the Mansion Fund. As always I will post photos and cost of what is purchased.
I am grateful to be asked, this is the best kind of small act of great kindness.
your article brought tears to my eyes. I just can’t imagine what fate brought this man to have only the clothes he had on. I am so grateful there are people like you Jon and Maria willing to help dole out kindness when needed. I will donate.
This has happened so many times it makes me heartsick. These people came from somewhere where I assume most of them had clothes. But nobody cared enough to pack their clothes up to take with them! Sometimes they were renters and when they went in the hospital or rehab for an extended say the landlord cleaned out their space and disposed of their belongings. Sometimes it is their family that does this. The person goes from having a home with their “stuff” that is important to them to ending up in a series of institutions with nothing but the clothes on their back and nothing of their former life. They have no photos, no mementos, no jewelry or anything else that made their house a home. I don’t understand how people can be so uncaring. G is fortunate he landed in such a nice place that will at least find him what he needs. So many places he’d be in state issued PJ’s forever more. Why do we as a nation treat our elderly as disposable? Why ask why I guess. 🙁
It’s true Jamie, it does happen all the time. I think when people’s homes deteriorate they don’t let anyone visit them, and then when a neighbor or family member arrives, they are stunned and rush to get them in care. Nobody takes the time to give them their clothes or things of value. It is hard to see, for sure.