Age Strong Live Long - Cardinal Ritter Senior Services

News from the Development Office
Why do you give?
Cardinal Ritter Senior Services is
blessed to have many generous and
faithful supporters! We asked a few
Why Do you give to CRSS?
Bill Hopfinger, CRSS Board Member
Although I had
been somewhat
aware of the mission
and work of
CRSS for quite
some time, it was in
the Summer of 2000
that I came face to
face with the wonderful
services offered by CRSS, specifically,
Mary Queen and Mother Center.
My dad had a rather severe stroke in
June of that year and although being a
health professional myself, it was still a
rather scary and daunting experience
helping my Mom choose a place in
which this man, a decorated veteran of
WW II and larger than life figure to me,
would spend the remaining days of his
life on this earth.
At MQMC we found a wonderful
and caring staff who not only had posted
the mission statement for quality
care of older adults with emphasis on
dignity, but lived that mission every day.
The facility became the center of my
Mom’s social life and the employees
embraced her in the same Christian way
they did my father until her untimely
death in late 2001.
Interested in supporting
Cardinal Ritter
Senior Services? We
always welcome monetary
donations which
help us serve senior
adults without
resources. We also
appreciate in kind gifts.
A few items on our Wish
List include:
CRSS Wish List
• DVD/VCR
• Patio Furniture
• Board Games
• Outdoor games
• Patio cushions
• Porch Swing
• New bed pillows
• Plastic mattress covers
• New Blankets (twin
size)
• Comforters (twin size)
with bed skirts
Although my family was fortunate
enough to be able to afford Dad’s care, I
soon realized this wasn’t the case for
numerous residents. Regardless, the caring
and compassionate way in which all
the residents were treated was surely
commendable. Being in the health care
profession myself for over 30 years, I am
acutely aware that providing high quality
care (particularly 24/7) requires maintaining
a high quality staff, and this is
not an inexpensive proposition.
Furthermore, often times government
programs only cover a fraction of the
cost of providing care. Therefore, to
maintain the mission and work of CRSS
it is imperative that we develop and
maintain a strong list of donors to help
provide care for some of our most vulnerable
brothers and sisters. In short,
this is why I am proud and happy to support
the work of CRSS.
DeCA Realty
Businesses
that give back
to their community
can make a difference! At Deca
Realty, we believe that Cardinal Ritter
Senior Services (CRSS) is one of the
best local charities that we can
support. The services of CRSS are
invaluable to the increasing number of
elderly citizens in our area. And, seeing
the smiling faces of the many seniors
who benefit from CRSS shows us our
money is being well-spent. It is a winwin
for both Deca Realty and the senior
citizens of our community!
• Sheet sets (twin size)
• Personal Care products
such as shampoo,
soap, disposable
razors,
• deodorant, lotion,
shaving cream, nail
clippers, Depends(the
pull up type), combs,
brushes, toothpaste,
toothbrushes, and
Efferdent
3
Volunteer imelda Benden
Imelda has
lived at Holy Infant
Apartments for a
year and a half and
volunteers at the
Mary Queen and
Mother Center gift
shop and also does
volunteer clerical work for the
admissions staff.
“I started volunteering about 8 or 9
years ago when I was living in Montana.
Originally it was about having something
to do and a way to be helpful. But
now, volunteering at Mary Queen, I
enjoy the interaction with the residents,
visitors and staff. It really makes me
feel good, and it keeps me healthy in
mind and body too.”
Daughters of Charity Foundation
The Daughters of Charity
Foundation of St. Louis focuses some of
its grant funding to assist seniors to
remain independent in their homes. We
have been pleased to assist Cardinal
Ritter Senior Services with transportation
services to allow the seniors they
serve to access door to door transportation
to needed areas for such important
services which will enhance their quality
of life. Such services will hopefully
allow many seniors, who do not have
the means or opportunity to drive, to
remain independent as long as possible.
‘Tis the Season
it is not too early to start
thinking about your holiday giving!
if your family, company or organization
you belong to is interested
in “adopting” a CRSS program or
facility we would love to work with
you! Towel sets, bathrobes, pajamas,
bedding and gift cards to
bookstores and Target make
fantastic gifts for our low income
seniors. Please contact us if you
are interested in learning more
at 314-961-8000 ext. 323.