Dorothy's daughter Candy clearly remembers the hopelessness she felt. "I was beside myself," she said. "I didn't know what to do." Dorothy faced losing her home and the around-the-clock services she desperately needed.

Dorothy lives in Pines Village. As the residents would agree, it's a place where life is celebrated, and it really is home, in every sense of the word.

Home is everything to Dorothy. Well over 90 years of age, Dorothy is frail now, and her memories have faded. But, they are memories worth sharing. Dorothy moved to Valparaiso more than 60 year ago. She had a good job in the factory at Indiana Steel, and she was strong as steel then, supporting herself and her two daughters after her husband Harold died.

Dorothy and her second husband, Howard, moved to Pines Village in 1998 when they could no longer live independently. The security that came from having their personal needs met made an immeasurable difference in their quality of life. After Howard died in 2000, Dorothy remained at Pines Village. Today she continues to be cared for by the Pines Village staff.

"She's very happy here," Candy said. "She knows the staff and they take good care of her. They watch over her. It's a blessing to know she's safe."

Even though Dorothy was safe and secure her assets were dwindling. After many years, her financial resources had finally ebbed to the point where it seemed inevitable she could no longer remain at Pines Village.

It was then that Candy experienced just how much Dorothy meant to the Pines Village family. Candy explained her dilemma to the CEO and she listened with her heart. Pines Village provided financial support which allowed Dorothy to remain at Pines Village. Candy was overjoyed.

"I was thrilled that she could stay. It meant a lot to me and took a big load off of my shoulders."

Dorothy's security is Candy's peace of mind. Thanks to the one gift Pines Village will always have in abundance - compassion - we can say. Dorothy's here to stay.

Can you imagine Dorothy's crisis as your own, or happening within your own family? It is a very real threat that can happen to anyone. The Good Samaritan Fund of Pines Village was established to provide financial support to residents in time of need. People just like you give to the Good Samaritan Fund because the residents' life stories are our stories, or our parents' or grandparent' stories.

Won't you join us in celebrating the lives of older adults by giving to the Good Samarian Fund? Our fervent hope is that no resident will ever have to leave the Pines Village family due to a change in their financial status. With your generosity, the Good Samaritan Fund can make this a reality.

For more information on how you can make a difference, give us a call at
(219)-465-1591.