| John Mitty Wednesday, December 12, 2012 |
Kiran and Philip Yocom felt the devastation of Hurricane Sandy when they heard the news about the sand and water damage to their own home in Ocean City, NJ. But more then their concerns for themselves, their thoughts immediately went to the emotional and physical loss for the seniors, who had lost shelter and meaningful personal photographs and mementos.
As co-founders of Seniors Helping Seniors in-home services, a national organization founded out of a Reading area non-profit, the Yocoms have made their life’s work about bringing home services and compassion to seniors. While Kiran and Philip knew that people in the community would step up to help seniors handle the physical needs of disaster recovery, they also knew few would bring what they could…love.
Pure and simple, the Yocoms and members of the Seniors Helping Seniors network are visiting Long Island nursing homes, assisted living facilities and senior centers to personally deliver their messages of love and caring along with cookies of holiday cheer to seniors.
The love has poured out and the Seniors Helping Seniors franchise partners, family and friends gave thousands of dollars for the Sandy victims to bring joy and hope and the holiday spirit.
Kiran Yocom, who originally worked with Mother Teresa in India, said that she believes that more than anything, it’s important for the seniors in those devastated areas to know that they are loved and that there is hope. Kiran came up with the idea of the cookie deliveries because “it’s one of the most basic pleasures in life,” she said. “Share a cup of coffee or tea and have a cookie. It’s an intimate, heartfelt moment,” she said.
The franchise partners from all over the country agree with her. For Donna Willborn, who operates a Seniors Helping Seniors office in San Antonio, Texas, her first thought was “Ohmigosh, how wonderful. These seniors are as much a part of my neighborhood as if they lived down the block. And how great is it to work with others who have a real sense of humanity and doing what is most important…letting others know they are cared for.”
Angie Chen, a franchise partner in San Gabriel Valley, CA, agreed. “There is nothing more important that we can do than bring joy into someone’s life through a visit and some sweet treats. Hopefully it helps each person to recognize that they are not alone.”
Terri Rockwell, franchise partner in Oneida and Madison counties, NY, said, “After I heard about Hurricane Sandy, I was first thankful that it had passed us. And then I thought about all the people whose lives had been changed because of it. Every morning I keep waking up thinking about them and wondering what I could do to help out. Delivering cookies with love is just the perfect response.”
For franchise partner Reema Nirola who is located on Long Island said that she just wants this little bit of effort to go a long way in her own backyard. “We were hit here on Long island with huge devastation. We want to deliver these cookies in person to as many places as possible as part of this incredible Holyday project. We want to help give seniors and their caregivers just a little bit of holiday joy in their lives.”
Seniors Helping Seniors representatives will be visiting the following locations:
Monday December 17th:
Time: Place:
11:30 am Alzheimer’s Association: 5 Channel Dr. Port Washington, NY
12:30 pm The Amsterdam At Harborside: 300 E. Overlook Port Washington, NY
1:30 pm Plattduetsche Home Society: 1150 Hempstead Turnpike Franklin Square, NY
2:30 pm Herricks/Alzheimer Senior Day Care: 999 Herricks Road New Hyde Park, NY
jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com Appears In: Local Events , Press Releases
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