GIFT (Giving It Forward Together)

GIFT is a grassroots organization started in 2015. GIFTs Thanksgiving to GO program provides 600 Thanksgiving kits for seniors spending the holiday at home.Adult volunteers cook and package the perishables, assemble the nonperishables, and deliver the kits to seniors all, as the nonprofits name suggests, giving it forward together.Now, during the pandemic, many seniors who would normally have interactions with their families are now completely isolated, staying at home and no one to speak with. GIFT is stepping up, offering an intergenerational phone matching program called CHAT. We reach as many seniors as possible. Before COVID, I dont know that everyone could understand that concept how a senior might feel, that feeling of being really lonely and out of touch said Rochel Tombosky, Founder of GIFT, But I think now that weve all experienced loneliness or not being able to be social or connect to people like we used to, we can now relate and hopefully be more empathetic.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Rochel S. Tombosky, Founder and Executive Director, GIFT, (412) 401-5914, giftpgh@gmail.com, www.giftpgh.org

GIFT is a grassroots organization started in 2015, it is the kind of effort that lets everyone get involved.The organization engages seniors who are homebound or living in a senior community the opportunities to give back to their own neighborhoods. GIFTs programs tap into seniors abilities to stay active in their community.Before Covid-19 hit, GIFT was very active in weekly programs. GIFTs home base of Squirrel Hill has a particularly large senior population. 35 percent of Squirrel Hill residents are over the age of 60. GIFT was invested in reaching out to seniors in all communities, and providing services/ programs to Rankin, Braddock, Oakland, the South Side and other neighborhoods.GIFT realized from its very inception, that providing people of any age a sense of purpose directly impacts their emotional and physical well-being. This was no different for the elderly demographic, No one really loves to be only a receiver, said Tombosky, the Founder of GIFT. We work all our lives to be givers, and then we get to this stage in our life where it seems like more and more, were just receiving. We lose this feeling of meaning and purpose in our lives. GIFT is all about reestablishing that, reminding people that if they still have a breath, they still have a purpose.Now, during the pandemic, this need is even greater than before. Many seniors who would normally have interactions with their families are now completely isolated, staying at home and no one to speak with. GIFT is stepping up, offering an intergenerational phone matching program called CHAT. Before COVID, I dont know that everyone could understand that concept how a senior might feel, that feeling of being really lonely and out of touch said Tombosky. But I think now that weve all experienced loneliness or not being able to be social or connect to people like we used to, we can now relate and hopefully be more empathetic. GIFTs irreplaceable services affecting our seniors community will be stronger than ever. Despite the devastation of a world pandemic we will keep strong with the communitys help.Editors Note: Article submitted by Rochel S. Tombosky, Founder / Executive Director of GIFT; 412-401-5914; giftpgh@gmail.com; www.giftpgh.org