During the pandemic, we decided it was safe to be bringing clothes from Thrift and Consignment stores to the Mansion residents, who were in grave danger, along with aides.
Life is returning to normal. There were a lot of staff changes, so after the pandemic slowed, we decided to coordinate our work there in a more organized way.
Tania Woodward, an aide, was my contact point for the residents’ needs. She screened the requests to make sure they were legitimate and that the residents’ needs were dire and genuine.
Once in a while, we found one or two of the residents hoarding clothes; another had much more money than she admitted having.
This is rare, but Tania does some screening. When we purchase something for the residents, it means they need help.
There is a great deal of continuing need among the residents, especially for clothes and when seasons change. This week, I’m getting two pairs of blue jeans, some underwear for Russell, and shirts, pants, and leggings for Jean.
There are many more men at the Mansion than usual; they have different clothing requests and needs, which I am learning. I’m getting razor blades, snow boots, and Spring walking shoes for them.
Often, the residents come to the Mansion so hurriedly they have to leave their belongings behind. Bev and Kayla at Carroll’s Trading Post in my town of Cambridge have been an enormous help in finding good, well-made, and clean clothing.
I have a network of five thrift and consignment stores in the area; I can move quickly and inexpensively when there is a need.
I got five shirts, six pairs of pants and five leggings for Jean today. Bev helped me pick them out, and I rushed them over to the Mansion. She only has good quality and clean clothes.
I get them to Tania, and she distributes them. Finally, we have a well-oiled system that works like a charm. We’re past the pandemic.
I need to thank Beverly and Kayla for helping me get the right clothes and Tania for doing the advance work. Having someone inside as competent and caring as she is (a Mansion Sue Silverstein) makes this work so much easier and more effective.
We move quickly and follow the need. She texts me, and I try to get the clothes to her the same day.
Today, I bought $135 worth of clothes for the residents, along with two stuffed Unicorns, some crossword puzzles, and extra shirts at very low prices.
It felt good.
I did explain it Julie, a number of times. They fall, break a leg or hip are rushed to the hospital, then to rehab, and then to an elder care place because they are impaired, or recovering, and can’t be alone and need care. They can’t go home if they are alone.
If they don’t have family or friends, and many don’t, there is no one to go and retrieve their belongings often and they need some urgent assistance. Sometimes they get their stuff back, sometimes are thrown away or stolen, etc. I make sure they have clothes and necessities in the meantime, sometimes longer.