The philosophy of humanism reminds us that every person has the capacity for good, and that caring for one another is deeply rooted in who we are as human beings. That spirit of compassion and empathy was recently brought to life in Spokane through a grant awarded to the Senior Action Network of Eastern Washington (SANEWA) by the American Humanist Association's American Empathy Project.
SANEWA was honored to receive a $1,000 grant to help spread kindness within our local senior community. After thoughtful discussion, we chose to use the funding to create and deliver May Day baskets to residents at Grace Court, a 62+ subsidized apartment complex, and Cherrywood Place, an assisted living community that serves many Medicaid residents.
A Simple Delivery With A Lasting Message
Rather than focusing the grant on a single large event, we chose something simple that would allow us to reach as many people as possible. The May Day baskets served as small reminders that people in our community are still thinking about our seniors, caring about them, and choosing kindness every day.
Sometimes the smallest gesture, a flower, a thoughtful gift, or a simple act of recognition, can brighten someone's entire day and remind them they are not forgotten.
Giving Back To The Community We Serve
Projects like this reflect the heart of SANEWA's mission. SANEWA is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization made up of professionals from across the Spokane area who are connected to the senior community in multiple ways.
Our members come from retirement communities, in-home care agencies, medical services, real estate, home improvement industries, and many other senior-focused professions. While one of our primary goals is helping connect seniors and families with trusted local resources, we also believe strongly in giving back directly to the communities we serve.
Throughout the year, SANEWA participates in a variety of outreach and community improvement efforts. These include beautification projects where volunteers help refresh outdoor spaces at senior communities, community barbecues that encourage connection and fellowship, and our annual Christmas gifting event, which reaches more than 500 seniors every year.
We are incredibly grateful that the American Empathy Project entrusted SANEWA with this opportunity to spread kindness in Spokane. Grants like this allow organizations like ours to continue building meaningful connections within the senior community and demonstrate that compassion still matters. We look forward to future opportunities to continue serving, uplifting, and supporting seniors throughout our community.
