Matt’s Kindness Ripples On is happy to announce the Kindness Award Winners for August, 2024.

A huge shout out to Jesse’s Paddle (aka, The Jesse Klump Suicide Awareness and Prevention Program) for their very generous donation to sponsor this month’s award winners.

Jerry Martin and Elaine Mack (Mesa, AZ) were nominated “for their exemplary and selfless efforts in advocating for the senior community in Arizona. Their dedication to addressing the needs of low-income 55+ communities has been nothing short of extraordinary, and their tireless work deserves recognition.”

It’s shocking to know that more than 17 million Americans (or roughly 1 in 3) age 65+ are economically insecure. They struggle with rising housing and health care bills, inadequate nutrition, lack of access to transportation, diminished savings and job loss. For older adults who are above the poverty level, one major adverse life event can change today’s realities into tomorrow’s troubles.

These are the people Jerry and Elaine help. “On an almost daily basis, Jerry and Elaine invest their time, money and energy into organizing meetings within these communities. These gatherings serve as a platform for them to educate residents about their rights and available resources, especially in the face of rising living costs that are disproportionately affecting those on disability, social security or fixed incomes. The couple passionately advocates for this growing population, working to prevent homelessness among the elderly due to financial constraints.”

Jerry said, “We teach the Landlord Tenant Act for mobile homeowners on leased land. They are the laws that dictate the relationship between homeowners and landowners. Laws that the landowners are ignoring. We have made sure AC’s are working, rents getting paid, there’s food in the house, the electric bills are getting paid, or when they can’t afford rent anymore, they have a place to go. I guess we were raised right, this all comes natural to us. We’re retired, this gives us purpose. So, thank you for the recognition, we don’t think of ourselves when helping others, it just comes naturally.”

   

One of the most remarkable aspects of Jerry and Elaine’s efforts is their commitment to funding these initiatives themselves. They use their own resources to travel between communities, providing valuable information to residents who might otherwise be unaware of the assistance available to them. The duo’s financial investment extends beyond advocacy, as they have also established a food bank to support the community they serve. Importantly, they ask for nothing in return, embodying the true spirit of selflessness.

Jerry and Elaine’s impact reaches far beyond the establishment of a food bank. They have become beacons of hope for seniors facing financial challenges, offering not only practical guidance but also a sense of community and support. Their dedication is a testament to the power of compassion and the difference that individuals can make in the lives of those around them.

Their efforts have undoubtedly improved the well-being of countless elderly individuals in Arizona, and they deserve to be acknowledged as unsung heroes in our community.

We couldn’t agree more. It’s always so impressive to see the impact a few people can have. We’re happy to shine the light on their kindness and we’re honored to have them as part of our MKRO family.

———————————————————————————————————————————————-

More about Jesse’s Paddle/The Jesse Klump Suicide Awareness and Prevention Program. Their objective is to end the threat of suicide in Worcester County (MD) and beyond through a program of outreach and education. This is a mission that MKRO supports wholeheartedly and we are so grateful for all the work they do to support mental health and suicide prevention initiatives.

Thank you to everyone at Jesse’s Paddle for all you do and for your very generous donation to MKRO so we can recognize and reward people who dedicate themselves to making our world a better place.  

If you need help, please call 988.