Friends for Life » News and Media

Gifts For Grannies and Grandpas Too

Sherry — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:14:24 +0000

Our Gifts For Grannies and Grandpas Too donation drive went tremendously well!!! We are so thankful to all who donated gift items, volunteers who helped deliver gifts, and our lovely ladies who separated and bagged up each individual person’s Christmas present’s according to their request and need. A lot of time was spent organizing this event. Our mission is to bless as many people as we can, we don’t want to leave anyone out. Without the help and support of so many, this would not be possible. It is an honor and privilege to get to help those less fortunate. We are blessed to be a blessing to someone else. Thanks again!! We love and appreciate all of you so much!!!

The Big Texas Christmas Present – December 10th

claire — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:04:03 +0000

The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Friends for Life, Carter Bloodcare, and Big 95 have teamed up for the “Big Texas Christmas Present”
to benefit Gifts for Grannies and Grandpas too! We are collecting items for elderly and disabled people who have no one to remember them during the holiday season. Donations will be accepted at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum Saturday, December 10th, and anyone making a donation will receive free admission to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame – one admission per item. Mi Familia Car Club will have classic cars on display, there will be arts & crafts for kids, Carter Bloodcare will be accepting blood donations, and Big 95 will broadcast live from 1-3pm. Thanks for helping to make a difference!

Waco Tribune Herald Story About Our Dancers

inez — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:21:23 +0000

Today, the Waco Tribune Herald featured a story written by Wendy Gragg about ballroom dancing at our Adult Day Care Center. She tells how much our clients love it and you can read the article.

Website Changes

inez — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:33:07 +0000

As you may know by looking at our website, we have been making a lot of changes. We hope you enjoy our stories and feel like you are a part of Friends for Life. While you are looking around, we hope that you find something that you like and/or a way that you can help us help others. We are now on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to help connect with our many volunteers, clients, and friends. Thank you and we look forward to reading your thoughts and comments!

A Park for Charlie

inez — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:40:09 +0000

Every once in a while, Charlie calls to say how grateful he is to Friends for Life for the help we have given him. We have been working with Charlie for about 8 years now. He is a vet and he had so many problems, but in the past few years he has come to know the Lord. Now, he has the most amazing attitude in spite of the fact that he has lost both legs and has lived through lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and other health problems. Through the years we have helped him manage his money. When he had a chance to buy a house a few years ago he called us. It took some time to get the payments reduced to a point where it was possible, but then Charlie was able to buy his first home. He is a good neighbor and he watches out for all the children. When a park was built in his neighborhood, they named it after Charlie. You can read about Charlie in this article by Aileen Loehr at the Fayette County Record. Charlie is such a happy guy and he gives all the credit to God.

Rewards of service plentiful, The Washington Times

inez — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:36:45 +0000

Read about Inez Russell and Friends for Life in Rewards of service plentiful in the Washington times.

Showing Compassion

inez — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:32:24 +0000

Letter to the Editor of the Waco Tribune Herald. February 18, 2009

I was horrified to learn the case of 93-year-old Marvin Schur in Bay City, Mich., who froze to death in his home after the local power company restricted his electricity. I was reminded of a similar situation two years ago when our local gas company cut off my 89-year-old bed-bound mother’s gas the day before a major cold front came through Waco.

I was out of town at a conference when my mother’s caregiver called to say a man from the gas company was cutting the power. I asked that he delay until I could return and find the problem but he refused. I hurried home when I couldn’t get anyone at the gas company office to help, and I located electric blankets and room heaters to keep mom safe and comfortable.

The problem stemmed from a payment that never made it to the gas company because the post office inadvertently destroyed the envelope and returned the check to me with an explanation. I forwarded all this to the gas company. Checks for two later months were received and credited timely, yet the company insisted on turning off the power.

My folks lived in the same home for more than 50 years, had never failed to pay their bill, and there was absolutely no indication the bill wouldn’t be paid. It was just one of those “corporate policy” situations that could have been handled much better.

We should all be sure our seniors are looked after, which is why organizations such as Friends for Life are so important. And utility companies should have special departments that can be aware of customers who are elderly and vulnerable so that no power is cut off without contact and effort to resolve the issue.

Company letter notices may not be delivered or seen and are insufficient in these circumstances. Hopefully, the tragedy of Marvin Schur won’t be repeated.

Harry Harelik
Waco