The Power of Recognition
Every month there are many “official” special recognitions. In this season of thanks, there are a few that are near and dear to my heart including Veterans Day, National Caregiver Appreciation Month, and National Philanthropy Day. Veterans, caregivers, and philanthropists selfless generosity is an example for all to follow. These individuals make our communities stronger, better places to live.
Veterans Day: Celebrated on November 11 each year, this day reminds us of the men and women who have served our country to ensure and protect the freedoms we enjoy. This holiday coincides with holidays in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I.
National Caregiver Appreciation Month: An important recognition for those individuals, paid and unpaid, who selflessly give their time to care for those who are ill, disabled, and/or elderly. I am reminded each day of their work as I observe LifeBridge staff members walk alongside our clients to ensure they have a meaningful, inclusive community life. Some interesting statistics about caregivers:
29% of the U.S. population, some 65 million Americans are caregivers in some way and most of these individuals work full time in addition to caring for someone.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over 40 million Americans, age 15 or older, provide unpaid care to the elderly.
The average wage for a direct support professional in Missouri is $12 per hour.
National Philanthropy Day: We celebrated this day on November 15. As a nonprofit organization, LifeBridge relies on individuals who support our mission through volunteerism and donations. We are forever thankful for the volunteers who join us on programs to work with our clients. We are also tremendously grateful for the individuals who donate money, goods, or services to fund our mission.
I hope you find many things to be thankful for this holiday season.
Karen Schuster, CEO