Jade’s Hips

Jade just turned 50 and all she wanted for her birthday was new hips – but she can’t get them yet.

For 25 years, Jade worked in a highly specialized job that required her to jump in and out of trucks all day. The activity took its toll on her body, and even though Jade kept physically fit, she now needs two new hips. The problem is that her insurance will pay for hip replacements only after age 60, meaning she must wait 10 more years. As a result, Jade had no choice but to change careers.

However, in the three months it took her to seek a diagnosis and treatment for her chronic pain, and also find a new job, Jade depleted her savings and found herself in danger of being evicted. An only child, Jade had never married, and her parents are elderly and in no position to help her financially.

Jade came to the Serving People Across Neighborhoods (SPAN) for financial assistance with her eviction. SPAN helped her through this crisis, and she should be able to get back on her feet once her paychecks begin coming.

“I never thought I’d be someone who accepted help from an assistance network, but thank God you were here for me,” Jade confessed.

While Jade’s story is unique, her circumstances are not uncommon. Every day, we hear sad stories of how divorce, job loss, abuse, illness, and other crises force local families to seek help. And every day we hear gratitude for the help we give.

To see how you can help your neighbors in need, visit our website at www.spanhelps.org. Your donations to SPAN remain completely local, staying within 14 zip codes in Anne Arundel County.

Eat at Craft American Eatery, on Tuesday, October 1, and Craft will donate 10% of all sales to SPAN between 4:00pm and 9:00pm. Visit the Shoptoberfest in Park Plaza on Saturday, October 5, hosted by the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce. SPAN will have a booth there and will give away some freebies! Enjoy music, games, prizes, trick-or-treating, and much more. Also on October 5, Team Caropreso at Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland is hosting a bull roast at Reflections Hall in Curtis Bay to benefit SPAN. Sponsorships are available, and auction items are also being collected.

For more information, contact Melinda Caropreso at melinda@teamcaropreso.com or 443-375-2737. Save the date: SPAN’s biggest fundraiser, the Turkey Trot 5K/1M race at Kinder Park, will be held on Saturday, November 16. Registration is now open on www.active.com. Sponsorships are available – email strideforspan@gmail.com for more information.

SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) is a faith-based nonprofit food pantry and emergency services provider that has been helping local families with eviction prevention, utility turnoffs, prescription needs and food since 1990. SPAN serves Severna Park, Millersville, Arnold, Broadneck and other surrounding areas. SPAN is located behind Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 400 Benfield Road. Hours are Monday through Thursday 10:00am-1:30pm. For more information call 410-647-0889, email spanhelps@yahoo.com, follow us on Facebook, or visit our website at www.spanhelps.org. Financial donations may be made through the website. Food donations may be dropped off 24/7 using the storage bin behind the building.