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Profiles In Giving
Our donors help make our programs a success—and we are grateful. We would like to introduce you to a few of them.
Meet Some of Our Donors
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| Iva Johnson donates because a neighbor benefited from Meals on Wheels. |
Iva Johnson has been our “mystery donor.” Every month a donation from her would appear. No one around the agency knew her. We kept trying to reach her by phone—but there was no answering machine.
Nearly a year later, we finally connected with Iva and visited with her in the shade of her backyard in Windham, her grandchildren playing in the pool, her son hanging laundry, wild turkeys sauntering by.
When we asked Iva what motivates her to give so regularly to the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, she replied, “I had a wonderful neighbor, Gertrude, who had no family, and she received Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels and help from neighbors allowed her to stay in her home until she died last year.” Iva had read about Meals on Wheels in an article years before—and, then she had an opportunity to see it in action. Iva’s been sending checks to Meals on Wheels ever since.
For Iva, now 72, donating to Meals on Wheels is what works best for her. She has friends that help deliver with Meals on Wheels, but because she takes care of her grandchildren, she is not in the position to give of her time.
Iva knows first-hand the importance of nutritious food. She grew up on a farm in Scarborough with six siblings, cows, chickens, and pigs. She still has a large vegetable garden although not as large as when she was raising her four children and doing lots of canning.
Marjorie Allen—Bequest Donor
Marjorie Allen was an inspiration to her many friends for her long and active life, her independence, sharp mind, dry wit and “wicked sense of humor.”
Born in Cherryfield, Maine in 1910, Marjorie went on to work for the U.S. Government, Geological Survey, Water Resources Division in Washington, D.C., then took an assignment in the Agency’s field office in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Marjorie lived independently well into her 90s until she suffered a fall. After her fall, Marjorie needed assistance. Fortunately, Marjorie had the resources to hire outside care. During her final years, Marjorie frequently talked about how lucky she was to have the help of friends, without whom she would not have been able to maintain her independence.
Marjorie always felt it was important to provide for those were not as fortunate as she was. To this end, she supported many charities throughout her lifetime. Marjorie’s bequest to the Southern Maine Agency on Aging was a way she felt she could help others maintain the quality of life with which she had been so blessed.
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| Barbara McLellan remains independent in her own home and gives so others can do so as well. |
Barbara McLellan of Cape Elizabeth worked for the Southern Maine Agency on Aging for ten years, beginning as a clerk/typist and working her way up to office manager. In 1987, Barbara retired, but her commitment to our work continued.
Barbara is the third generation to live in her large house—and she’s determined to stay in the house as she gets older. But, Barbara also knows that sometimes that is difficult to do, especially when you are on your own. Fortunately, Barbara knows that if the time comes when she needs help, she’ll be able to turn to the Southern Maine Agency on Aging. In the meantime, she refers friends to our services and makes an annual contribution to support our work.
Barbara was surprised that we wanted to profile her. She asked, “Why me? I don’t give that much each year.” But, for us, it isn’t the amount of support that is important, but rather the consistency of her dedication to the organization long after her employment ended.
