This 90-year-old woman sure could use some holiday cheer.
Nearly crippled with arthritis, she struggles to perform simple daily tasks because of discomfort in her joints.
"She is currently in a lot of pain from arthritis and damage to her body from manual labor," said the woman's caseworker, "and the pain is so severe, she barely has an appetite."
She doesn't eat much, but she does like drinking meal-replacement shakes, like Ensure.
"They help her get all the nutrients she needs," the caseworker said. "She likes drinking them."
The woman doesn't receive much money, though, and the drinks can get expensive.
The caseworker said the woman has worked hard most of her life, caring for others as a nanny and housekeeper, helping others even as she was raising her own children. Now, she could use help of her own.
A store of meal drinks aren't the only thing that would lift the woman's spirits.
"A lift chair would help her with back pain and help herself get up and around the house," the caseworker said.
A lift chair is something the woman is not able to afford on her own. She lives alone and her only source of income is a few hundred dollars in Social Security benefits.
The woman needs $600 for a lift chair and $350 for meal drinks.
Those who wish to help her, and others like her, may fill out the donation coupon in today's paper and send a check made payable to Gazette-Mail Charities. To donate online, go to www.wvgazettemail.com/charities.
Gazette-Mail Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization. Charity cases have been verified by approved social service agencies.
Your tax deductible contribution can be mailed to:
Charleston Gazette-Mail
1001 Virginia St. E.
Charleston, WV 25301