We all remember how this community changed the life of cashier Ed Bambas! An 88 year old working 5 days a week just to get by. The community came together to allow this elderly gentleman the opportunity to retire.
Elaine's story is similar, she is an 86 year old woman who is doing a physically challenging job with health issues. We are hopeful we can bring this community together again to allow Elaine to retire with dignity.
Please read the following story and if you can't contribute, PLEASE SHARE, for others who can.
I want to introduce you all to someone truly special — Elaine Dorland.
Locals of our small town of Wyandotte may already know her as she visits and supports our local taverns and eateries. Elaine is recognized for her warm smile, polite manners, and bubbly personality that lights up the room. Over time, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know her through our conversations, and her story is one that deserves to be told.
Elaine is 86 years old. She is a widow who lost her veteran husband closely followed by her son just two years ago, both to heart attacks. Elaine now lives alone in a small apartment in the senior apartment complex in Wyandotte. She has to work just to afford her rent and living expenses.
Despite her age and serious health challenges (including having rods in her back) Elaine works most days of the week to make enough to survive. Her job is to clean her entire 9-floor apartment building. Her chores include mopping all floors and cleaning eight bathrooms daily. As a very petite woman nearing 90, she is still bending, reaching, scrubbing, vacuuming, pushing a mop and filling and emptying buckets up and down the entire building nearly every single day. Although she appreciates her boss and the opportunity to make extra income, it is exhausting work for her at her age which is evident as she describes her day to me.
Elaine's husband was self-employed as a local plumber most of his post-military life which left only a small Social Security check for her each month when he passed. She has applied but has been denied food assistance multiple times. On top of these challenges, as a dedicated mother, she continues to support her children as needed.
And yet… Elaine never complains.
She is proud and never asks for help.
She shows up every day with quiet dignity, strength, and perseverance… and always a good word for those she talks to.
She is the kind of person who gives everything she has, even when she has very little.
When I asked her permission to post this, she was in tears and said she didn't feel worthy, but at the same time the gratitude in her eyes shined through.
Elaine should not be working this hard at 86 years old just to survive. She deserves rest…she deserves comfort…she deserves peace.
This fundraiser is being created in the hope that Elaine can finally retire and live the life she has earned as she continues to process the grief of her loving family. A life without daily physical labor, financial stress, or constant worry is the ultimate goal.
Every single dollar raised will go directly to Elaine to help her cover her basic living and medical expenses, and allow her to enjoy the simple joys that make life meaningful.
Elaine represents so many seniors in our community who fall through the cracks — particularly widows who either worked or supported their families their whole lives and now struggle just to get by.
If you’ve ever been moved by someone’s perseverance, if you believe our elders deserve dignity, safety, and rest in their final years, please consider donating to help Elaine retire.
Let’s come together and give Elaine the retirement she never thought she could have — one filled with comfort, security, and the kindness she has shown the world for so many years.
Thank you so very much for your support!