"I connected with ElderTLC four years ago through North Central Women's League. I was immediately taken with the mission and the people behind this effort. It is hard to describe how gratifying it is when the facility shoppers come in to select holiday gifts for their residents. The level of care they display when choosing “just the right gift” for a certain resident really reinforces what we do.

"This year one facility sent the Director of Maintenance and one of his employees to shop. He said he wasn’t sure why they got tasked with the job of picking holiday gifts but it became clear when these two men got to work. They knew every person living there, knew their personalities and knew their needs. Their selections were individualized for the recipients and they felt great knowing they were a part of the process. We joked that they would insist on being able to do the shopping again next year.

"Being part of a program that might provide the only gift a low-income senior will receive for the holidays is one I can get behind. I am grateful to be part of ElderTLC."
​-- Anne Bettis

"I was fortunate enough to find out about volunteering with ElderTLC from a dear friend of mine. Because the geriatric population (especially lower socioeconomic) is one that is typically marginalized and forgotten, I was on the hunt for a volunteer opportunity that would honor and bless not only elderly people, but the facilities and workers who take care of them. Well ElderTLC turned out to be the perfect fit! It is a wonderful, well-organized non-profit charity run by some truly amazing and kind ladies. Through all their year round efforts, they are able to provide a special and beautiful shopping experience for the caretakers who are able to pick out personalized and special gifts for their residents. I can’t begin to describe how much joy this brought not only to me, but to these wonderful caretakers. They were so appreciative and grateful for this fun opportunity to shop for their elders. This truly is an amazing organization whose positive impact is far reaching. I highly recommend getting involved in whatever way suits you!"
​-- Amy Sutherland

"I happened upon ElderTLC by accident one day a few years ago when the shop was set up near the Wildflower Bread Company. I peeked into the window and saw such a fun retail store environment, it intrigued me to return home and look up the organization. After perusing the info, I was drawn to ElderTLC because of its mission statement to help low income elderly since they are often overlooked and neglected. What sealed the deal for me was meeting Cathleen and Linda since they are both so fun, energetic and passionate about the cause. An added bonus is that I love all the people I’ve met through Elder TLC and have so enjoyed my time these past few years."
​-- Darla Helms

I was in Walmart and saw a rack of men's shirts for $3.00. I walked over and joined a man who was also looking at them. I greeted him and asked, "Do you have all the shirts you would like? Because I'll probably buy the rest. Feel free to take as many as you want." 
He replied, "I have two and that's plenty," and asked me why I was buying the shirts. I gave him my usual ElderTLC "elevator pitch" which I give over and over knowing the typical response is "Good for you," or "Bless your heart."
But this time was different. This kind man reached into his pocket and gave me $20, and said, "Let me help you buy the shirts." I was speechless and felt myself getting emotional.
I choked out, "I can't tell you how much this means to me. This is so kind of you. May I have your name and address so we can send you a receipt?"
He replied by reaching into his pocket and giving me another $20. "No, I just like what you are doing and want to help. I don't need a receipt."
I pulled myself together and said, "Let me tell you a little bit more about our nonprofit so you understand how your donation will be used." I quickly told him about how ElderTLC was an all-volunteer organization, that we shop year-round for clearance sales, our growth of 450% since 2016, and that we gave away over 4700 gifts in 2020.
When I finished, he told me that he has been very fortunate in his life and he likes to share his fortune with others. He then pulled out a $100 bill and handed it to me, "Please take this and continue your good works." At this point, I tried to give him back his original $40 donation thinking that he meant to give me $100 total. He smiled, "Keep it all," and he turned to continue his shopping.

To the kind Gentleman at Walmart,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your donation was meaningful in so many ways. Not only because you will provide gifts to our seniors, but your kindness will also bring joy to our  volunteers working so hard trying to acquire donations and inventory for our 2021 Holiday Shop. You lifted our spirits during a difficult year and we are so appreciative.

​"As it has been for all of us in our personal lives, 2020 was a year like no other for ElderTLC. I recall one of the options considered this summer was to not deliver gifts this year, but to focus on preparing for a more “typical” 2021. While I understood this had to be considered, I also knew none of us close to this important effort could even imagine not forging ahead and figuring out how to deliver on our mission in a safe way. And that we did! 4694 gifts, 73 facilities, countless boxes, bows and Butterfingers... While the delivery of the gifts was different this year, the gratitude on the part of the facilities was more evident than ever. The stories we heard were everything we’ve heard on the news and more. Every time someone picked up their boxes we were reminded why we do what we do. And as David from Maryland Gardens said as he pumped his arms in the air, “ElderTLC rocks!”.
​-- Anne Bettis

"This was my 4th year at ElderTLC and I love this organization. Cathleen, Linda and Tracy have earned a straight shot to heaven. I was a tennis teammate of Cathleen's when ElderTLC was in its infancy, and was intrigued by the idea of giving gifts to seniors in need. Once I did my first day of volunteering I was hooked. The camaraderie of the volunteers, the warm fuzzy feeling you get of helping those in need and the feedback of the recipients makes this non-profit a priority in my Fall volunteer time. Although COVID threw us a curve this year, we were still able to pull this out with the help of our fearless leaders. Hats off and good tidings to all that helped this year and in years past. CHRISTmas is the reason for the season."     
-- Lori Krimbill