April 22, 2020

With the emergence of the COVID-19 virus, and the governor’s stay-at-home advisory for Massachusetts, Springwell remains fully operational and continues to create contingency plans for service continuity. The organization has established the Seniors are Essential Emergency Relief Fund so that the older adults and families served by the organization will continue to receive critical assistance such as food, personal care, and other essential items on either a short term or one-time basis. Through this fund, you can help provide essential support so that Springwell will have the immediate and substantial resources we need to adjust and continue to operate during these incredibly difficult times for so many of your neighbors.

Your generosity will provide the funds Springwell needs today to cover the costs of these urgently needed, unbudgeted resources, including:

• Surge in demand for home-delivered meals and added costs of preparation and delivery.
• Personal Protective Equipment including masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers: Springwell has scrambled to purchase the masks, gloves and hand sanitizers needed to protect Meals on Wheels delivery volunteers and other front line staff who need to visit vulnerable older adults during this pandemic crisis.
• Direct service grants including grocery gift cards and pharmacy gift cards that care advisors can get directly to seniors in need for food, medications, and other short-term or emergency necessities.

Please know that your donation to Springwell, a private, nonprofit 501c3 organization, is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was signed into law. One of the features of this new law is the Federal Charitable Giving Incentive which includes a new above-the-line deduction (universal or non-itemizer deduction that applies to all taxpayers) for total charitable contributions up to $300. The incentive applies to contributions made in 2020 and can be claimed by donors on tax forms next year.

Please support the Springwell Seniors are Essential Emergency Relief Fund. Your gift will help your neighbors continue to receive the supports they need to live in health and safety at home. You can donate online or by sending a check to the attention of Springwell, 307 Waverley Oaks Rd., Suite 205, Waltham, MA 02452.

 

April 3, 2020

Massachusetts continues to operate under an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 essential services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public until Monday, May 4th. The state also issued a “stay at home” advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols. Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during this two-week time period.

Springwell, because of the work we do to support older adults and the disabled, is classified as an essential service and will remain fully operational through the duration of this crisis unless otherwise directed.

At this time, maintaining our Home Delivered Meals program is both a priority and a challenge in the face of staffing shortages, and potential supply issues. We are putting emergency staffing in place to deliver meals while we explore other options going forward. We are actively recruiting volunteer drivers to fill the gap in staffing that we are experiencing. Learn more here. If you are interested, email volunteer@springwell.com.

Springwell is still accepting new referrals for older adults in need of in-home services. More information is available here.

Lastly, over the past two weeks, Springwell has seen an outpouring of support from the community. Many have asked how they can help us through this time. At the moment, after volunteer drivers for our home-delivered meals program, our most critical need is funding from individuals and businesses, which will enable us to manage the increasing costs of providing services and respond to the growing needs of the elderly and disabled, without delay or restriction.

If you have already made a contribution, we thank you for your support. Otherwise, we hope you will consider making a donation that is meaningful to you so that we can continue our work. Click here to make a donation online.

In the meantime, please stay safe, take care of yourselves, loved ones and neighbors and know that Springwell will be here to assist in any way we can.

 

March 23, 2020

Today, Governor Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon until Tuesday, April 7th at noon. The state also issued a “stay at home” advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols. Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during this two-week time period.

Springwell, because of the work we do to support older adults and the disabled, is classified as an “Essential Service” and will remain fully operational through the duration of this crisis unless otherwise directed.

At this time, maintaining our Home Delivered Meals program is both a priority and a challenge in the face of staffing shortages, and potential supply issues. We are putting emergency staffing in place to deliver meals while we explore other options going forward. We are actively recruiting volunteer drivers to fill the gap in staffing that we are experiencing. Learn more here. If you are interested, email volunteer@springwell.com.

Springwell is still accepting new referrals for older adults in need of in-home services. More information is available here.

Lastly, over the past several days, Springwell has seen an outpouring of support from the community. Many have asked how they can help us through this time. At the moment, after volunteer drivers for our home-delivered meals program, our most critical need is funding from individuals and businesses, which will enable us to manage the increasing costs of providing services and respond to the growing needs of the elderly and disabled, without delay or restriction.

If you have already made a contribution, we thank you for your support. Otherwise, we hope you will consider making a donation that is meaningful to you so that we can continue our work. Click here to make a donation online.

In the meantime, please stay safe, take care of yourselves, loved ones and neighbors and know that Springwell will be here to assist in any way we can.

 

March 17

Springwell recognizes that we are an essential part of the social safety net for many older adults in the communities we serve, and that these community members are facing particular challenges at this time when we are all grappling with COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Springwell leadership and staff remain in close contact with, and have been putting in emergency policies and procedures in consultation with, the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) and the Department of Public Health. We have been following their guidance as well as the CDC recommended best practices.

At this time, maintaining our Home Delivered Meals program is both a priority and a challenge in the face of staffing shortages, and potential supply issues. We are putting emergency staffing in place to deliver meals while we explore other options going forward. We are actively recruiting volunteer drivers to fill the gap in staffing that we are experiencing. If you are interested email volunteering@springwell.com.

Springwell is still accepting new referrals for older adults in need of in-home services. More information is available here.

Springwell is moving in-home visits to telephonic check-ins as is appropriate and in keeping with guidelines from EOEA and partner organizations (nursing homes, housing authorities, etc). We are working with our network of in-home service providing vendor agencies to maintain in-home services, and to prioritize the highest need seniors in the face of potential worker shortages.

 

March 11, 2020

Springwell is in close contact with the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Department of Public Health, and is following their guidance as well as the CDC recommended best practices.  We are also in close communication with our extensive network of in-home service providing vendor agencies and our community partners in providing services.

At this time, in keeping with the most up-to-date information that we have and the program regulations that guide our work, Springwell is continuing to provide services, while taking all possible precautions to safeguard wellness. We understand that this is a fluid situation and information may change quickly so we are continuing to monitor what is happening and make contingency plans for service continuity. We are asking our staff and urge all members of our community to stay home when sick, to limit close interpersonal contact, and to practice frequent handwashing. Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, and the members of the communities we serve.

We have moved our own staff to telecommuting wherever possible. While our office remains open, it is important to call first before visiting to ensure the staff member you may need to see or talk to is available. We are asking our staff and urge all members of our community to stay home when sick, to maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet during personal contact, and to practice frequent handwashing. Our highest priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, and the members of the communities we serve.