A Follow-up: CRC Sleeping Mats Keep Area Residents Warm

Last week we told you about the sleeping mats made by residents of UMRC’s Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC).  This week, we are honored to share a note from Nancy Zavrel, a resident of The Cedars of Dexter and a member of the Journey of Faith Christian Church in Ann Arbor.  She describes how our residents’ handiwork is making a difference in the community for people in need.  Nancy’s church is serving as a warming center for the month of December, serving those from Washtenaw County who are without stable housing.

“The Sunday before Thanksgiving, three of CRC’s mats were delivered to the Journey of Faith Christian Church in Ann Arbor.  As the mats were carried in, everyone ‘ooh’d’ and ‘ah’d’ at their attractiveness.

It so happens that on that day some of our dinner guests were people who may receive these mats.  While I was there, I was introduced to a woman.  She was overwhelmed as she described to me that she was housing her family of five in her car.  She had come to the church a week earlier asking if she could possibly have two mats, and it so happens that we had just delivered two!  This woman has been using them as blankets, and she was so grateful for the warmth they provided in the cold car.

As you work on these, please know that these are a precious commodity, treasured by those who receive them.”

For more information on how you can help, contact Hazel Mead at 734.433.1000.

From all of our residents and staff at the United Methodist Retirement Communities and UMRC Foundation, we wish you the joy, warmth, and blessings of the season.