Gifting the gift of love
Mother Theresa once said, “It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” This sentiment rings true year-round, but is especially relevant during the holidays. With so much emphasis given to presents and parties and food — all of which are wonderful things — it’s easy to get caught up in the holiday hoopla, trying to do more things and give more things. It’s no surprise that the spirit of how we do things can get lost in the mix. But with our clients’ needs at heart, we at Neighbors Who Care embrace the “how of giving” wholeheartedly and want to share why we believe this is important.
Our focus at Neighbors Who Care is to reach out to others and offer help with transportation, dinner deliveries, shopping/errands, respite care and minor repairs, among other services. Our volunteers give of their time and resources to lend a hand to local Sun Lakes and South Chandler residents who need extra support. For so many of our clients, our services help them remain independent in their homes for as long as they possibly can. This is especially true for those who do not have anyone else nearby.
While it’s true that taking someone to the doctor or to the grocery store may sound just like a glorified taxi service or an Uber ride, it is so much more than that. We know that our clients look forward to interacting with our volunteers because of their kindness and love.
“I am continually impressed with the volunteers who come to pick me up,” says Phyllis Walters, one of our clients who lives in Sun Lakes. “They are always willing to go above and beyond for me, and they are all so nice. I can’t imagine what I would do without them!”
Many other clients express similar feelings about how our volunteers make them feel special. For example, Sandra Horwitz, also of Sun Lakes, wrote to us about her experience with a volunteer named Sarah. She said, “She was so very sweet and even asked me for a hug when she dropped me off. I felt the warmth all weekend!”
When reflecting on this season of giving, we encourage you to think about how you can give to others. It’s not just about the size of a present or how much you’ve spent. It’s about the feeling behind the giving. It’s about remembering that there is more to life than just material things. It’s about showing others that a little bit of love and caring can go a long way.
Please consider how you can give to those around you, including your neighbors in need. Reaching out in love to help others is the greatest gift. Our donors know that. Our volunteers know that. And, our clients benefit from that.
In this season of giving, we invite you to get involved in the spirit that drives us at Neighbors Who Care throughout the year. Please call our office at 480-895-7133 or visit our website at www.neighborswhocare.com News From Your Neighbors to find out how you can help.