A COMMUNITY VALENTINE

The Greenwich-based Parsonage Cottage Senior Residence “To My Valentine” project, which wasl aunched three weeks before Valentine”™s Day, was intended to show its residents that people care. “”¦ I wanted to do something that would demonstrate care and respect for them,” said Penny Lore, who has served as executive director at Parsonage for nearly 20 years.

The Greenwich community responded with donations numbering more than 800. Lore and the Parsonage Cottage staff created individual baskets for each of the 38 residents and gift bags for the 20 staff members. “This is a perfect example of when love is viewed as a verb; its focus is on giving, not receiving,” said Lore. “We are so touched and overwhelmed by the generosity of our community.”

The donations included greeting cards, many of which were handmade, chocolate and other candy, decorated cookies, chocolate-covered pretzels, miniature bottles of Kahlúa, hand-crocheted hearts, origami, jokes from kids, balloons and even chatterboxes (the beloved paper fortune tellers).

Parsonage Cottage Senior Residence is an affordable home for Greenwich older adults to age in place, near friends and family, remaining in the town they call home. Recently updated, the Cottage has 34 bright, spacious single rooms and three double rooms, all with large private baths. Residents are allowed to bring their own furniture to create a familiar home environment.