In an article in the January 30, 2014 edition of the Statesman Journal, Stefanie Knowlton, who writes about causes, volunteerism, nonprofits and philanthropy, wrote about Willson House collecting donations to replace our emergency call system.

Here is an excerpt from Stefanie's article:  

A local nonprofit that runs a residential care home for seniors is asking Salem residents to spare a buck for its emergency call system. Willson House serves 52 low- to moderate-income residents, and its call system is one breakdown away from extinction. The system is a lifeline between residents and staffers for everything from untied shoelaces to medical emergencies.

Last year the system broke down six times, so it’s not a matter of if it will fail but when, said Executive Director Cathy Parkinson. The system’s manufacturer, 3M, stopped making replacement parts Dec. 31.

Willson House has raised $2,500 of the $75,000 it needs to replace the system, and it’s coming in one dollar at a time.

“Does $1 make a difference?” Parkinson asked. “Yes, 75,000 of them would make a great difference to our residents.” 

Contributions can be made online here or mailed to United Methodist Retirement Center, 1625 Center St. NE, Salem, OR 97301.

The nonprofit has a backup call system that residents can activate from the wall in the living room or in the bathroom, but the range is limited.“If someone gets into trouble in the middle of the room, they are absolutely useless,” Parkinson said.

Instead they’ll rely on the pendants that residents wear around their necks, which used to signal pagers so attendants got the call on the go. One by one the pagers broke, and now one attendant has to wait at the computer in case an alarm sounds. Article continued here.

The heart of our Willson House needs to be replaced, which is our emergency call system for residents to summon help. The economic down-turn affected us greatly and we do not have the means to finance a new system. The cost is $75,000, which is a huge expense for Willson House Residential Care Facility, a 103 year old, non-profit business, serving seniors with low to moderate income. We believe that with God’s grace and your help we can raise the money needed, $1 at time in only 7 weeks. Can you spare a buck?

On December 31, 2013 our present emergency call system became obsolete because 3M stopped its technical support for the system, and will no longer make replacement parts for it. We are still using the system, but if it goes off line or needs a replacement part, it will have to be disconnected. We would then have to employ several more staff to make sure that residents’ emergency needs continue to be met. This would put considerable financial strain on Willson House.

If you can spare a $1, please help by giving towards our goal. Your dollar will make a difference to our seniors. Click here to read more about the importance of  an emergency call system, or to make a donation. Thank you!