Melissa, a Mansion aide, sent me a selfie of one of the dozen colorful scarves I bought for the aides. Melissa is one of the most loving and warm health care workers I’ve ever met, and she cares about style.
The Mansion aides are exhausted from working long hours and making sure the residents are safe and cared for.
Many have worked double shifts, if anyone gets a cold or any illness, they have to tested and quarantined. Some need help with food support for their families.
It’s been grueling and intense work there for months now, I want to try and brighten things up a bit.
The colorful and funny masks I’ve been sending are a huge morale boost, the aides have to wear the masks all day long, which is grueling enough if people smile at them all day it brightens the whole place.
I love these scarves, they are colorful and wrap around the neck. I bought two cigar masks which should be fun, they’re coming soon.
I’ve been scouring the Internet for neat masks that are bright and funny and I’ve gotten about a dozen so far. Some are pretty amazing. One of these cigar masks will go to Nathan, the Maintenance Director at the Mansion.
Two of the aides – possibly three – are experiencing some food insecurity, as the refugees did and still do. These are two aides, single mothers with small children, and one aide whose husband is gravely ill and without enough health care benefits.
I’m bringing them food gift cards. If you can help, you can buy Price Chopper Gift Cards in any amount and send them to me at Jon Katz, 2502 State Route 22, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
The refugee gift card program has been an amazing and efficient success – we really helped people, and I’d like to keep that going. Food security is an ongoing issue with the refugees, especially now.
But I want to help the aides of I can.
Some of these women (and men), who care so lovingly for our elderly mothers and fathers, could use some support. Sadly, they don’t make very money.
If you want to help, you can see and buy the gift cards here. If you prefer, you can send a contribution to me via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz. P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
I’ll be happy to purchase them for you, and thanks, as always. I love the mask idea, it makes a difference in there.
The cigar mask is just fabulous! You have a knack for choosing the right masks to brighten up the mansion. Love the owls as well….brighten up those long days for the aides + Nathan. I have 2 nieces who are aides at nursing homes outside of Philly. They have been working crazy hours + are exhausted. Kudos to you for bringing some joy + humor into their days.