Good Samaritan accomplishes goal

    GRANTS - Margaret Kaplan, Executive Director of the Grants Good Samaritan Society, said she is very pleased with the success of this year's fundraising goal: new wheelchairs. She explained the bulk price for 55 new wheelchairs is $11,000. Each chair costs approximately $200. Kaplan anticipates four to six weeks before residents actually sit in new chairs. Time needed for the physical therapist department's individual chair modifications causes the delay. A majority of residents require wheelchairs for mobility. For many residents this will be their first new wheelchair. Good Samaritan is an 80-bed facility where 74 residents currently receive services.

    Mona Gutierrez, Resource Development director, commented, “ Early this year new wheelchairs were identified as the urgent priority.” She immediately organized a number of community fundraising events to reach this goal. Since early spring Gutierrez has spearheaded activities such as an Easter appeals letter, Mother's Day pancake breakfast, sales of silk floral arrangements for graduation, a spaghetti supper, golf tournament, yard sales and a team-roping event in Cubero.

    Gutierrez reported Good Samaritan's next fundraising project is participation in Future Foundations Family Center Holiday Craft Show with harvest baskets, Christmas baskets and a diversity of handcrafted articles featured on its table. As a non-profit, Good Samaritan uses all donated monies, known as unrestricted funds, to benefit the residents. Goals for 2010 are focused on mattress replacement and window upgrades.

    Kaplan and Gutierrez expressed appreciation on behalf of all staff for the outpouring of community support demonstrated by this year's successful fundraising. Gutierrez said, “We really want to thank the community for their generosity in caring for the elderly. We wish them happy holidays and many blessings.”