The light of candles nestled in thick white icing glowed against Parsie Tackett’s face as he took a breath and blew as hard as he could to extinguish the tiny flames. Parsie was celebrating his 85th birthday, and Kasey Mills, a Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) Elderly Services Program caseworker, had brought him the cake and a special pizza lunch.

“He said that was the best cake, pizza, and birthday he had ever had, and the only time he had ever had candles on a birthday cake to blow out,” Kasey explained. “He really enjoyed the visit and said he is grateful for CAP staff who visit him.”

Here at Christian Appalachian Project, we give thanks to you for your enormous generosity. Your gifts allow caseworkers, like Kasey, to visit Parsie and other isolated seniors throughout the region. As part of our Elderly Services Program, Kasey brings Parsie monthly food boxes and other items he needs. She also provides transportation to appointments, runs errands for Parsie, or makes special visits just to check on him. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, you’ve made it possible for CAP staff and volunteers to safely continue visiting vulnerable elderly men and women, bringing them gifts or engaging them in activities to let them know they are not alone. 

“Parsie and I have a genuinely special relationship,” Kasey said. “He knows with us he has someone to call if he needs anything or if he just needs a friend. He cares for us as much as we care for him. He calls me every Sunday night to just check in, and that’s OK — because I know if he is calling me, he’s OK.”