Residents of the Good Samaritan locations across the country are vulnerable to complications from the COVID-19 virus. Many face weeks and months without seeing their loved ones due to the visitor restrictions designed to keep them safe. It’s lonely – both for them and for those who care for them.
Which is why a recent gift to the Good Samaritan – Manzano del Sol Village in Albuquerque, N.M., is so touching. Donor Joseph Garcia included a simple note with his online gift: “Please give to where it’s most needed during this crisis. God is GOOD!”
Loretta Dunivan, donor engagement director, reached out to thank Garcia and to learn more.
“Please give to where it’s most needed during this crisis. God is GOOD!” - Joseph Garcia
“Joseph was surprised by the call!” Dunivan says. “I asked if he has a personal connection to Manzano and he does. His daughter Elizabeth, or Lala, is one of our Transition Services kids who comes in every Friday.”
The Transition Services Program helps people on the autism spectrum gain work experience after they finish high school. It is a partnership between the Society and the Albuquerque Public School System.
Gloria Zuber, Transition Services teacher with the public schools, explains the program.
“Staff at Manzano del Sol mentor these young people as they help with gardening, resident activities, clerical work and food service. Lala is well known on the campus,” Zuber says. “She joins the resident music group and helps out with computer work for the activities department. Staff are thankful for her help.”
“Lala is a master shredder,” Dunivan says. “And she gives the best hugs!”
Joseph told Dunivan he just wanted to do something extra to help out. “So very sweet!” Dunivan says. “He hopes his gift lifts our spirits and inspires more giving.
“It's moments like this that remind us why we do what we do.”
You can lift spirits and help the Society fight the COVID-19 pandemic too when you make a gift to the Emerging Threats Fund. 100% of your gift will help the Society rise to any challenge and continue to deliver the highest levels of care to the residents and communities who count on us, no matter the circumstances.
Information in this article was accurate when it was posted. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, scientific understanding and guidelines may have changed since the original publication date. Read more about the COVID-19 vaccines.
The Good Samaritan Society requires masking in its locations. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to the masking requirement or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
