What American didn’t grieve with Nancy Reagan when she so honestly revealed to America the heartache of Alzheimer’s disease? The fact is, aging is a reality that touches everyone. Whether it is caring for parents who are unable to care for themselves, seeking help for a loved one with Alzheimer's, or watching the physical and mental health of a spouse or family member slowly decline, aging is a certainty that everyone must face.

Need

It is estimated that the total number of senior citizens in America will increase from 12% of the population in 2000, to 20% of the population in 2030 . Currently, 4 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. It is projected that by 2050 that number will increase to between 11.3 and 16 million unless a cure is found.

With these increasing numbers comes a growing need for services and programs designed specifically to serve this group of Americans. Across the nation, state budget cuts have forced most nursing homes, hospitals, and extended care facilities to dramatically limit programs that provide personal contact with patients. Less and less time is being spent personally interacting with those who need it the most. In spite of facility financial limitations, communication and contact with these special ones must be an integral part of their maintenance and therapy.

"Ezra's Touch of Love" focuses on this exceptional corner of our American society as it brings irrepressible happiness to patients and staff members alike. Planned "encounters" have become limited since funding primarily comes from the donations of dedicated sponsors. Gail and Ezra Ministries want to significantly increase their encounters and thus give more opportunities to “bring the living to LIFE.”

Purpose

Gail and Ezra Ministries, Inc. have been bringing joy, laughter, and love to audiences for over 30 years. Now with "Ezra's Touch of Love," Gail and Ezra reach audiences that are often unreachable – the elderly, veterans, Alzheimer's patients, special needs adults and children, and those in hospice care. Their goal is to communicate love through personal contact. Ministering to individuals one at a time they share their hearts, their songs, and their hugs.

Background

Gail Wenos and Ezra D. Peabody have been charming audiences with their unique brand of humor for more than 30 years. As members of the National Speakers Association, both have been acknowledged as Certified Speaking Professionals (CSP), and are distinguished members of the Speakers Hall of Fame (CPAE). They have spoken to corporations, church groups, women's groups, teachers and students all across America, making audiences laugh with delight through their programs on Teamwork, Communication, and Making a Difference. Many lives have been touched and enriched with their entertaining and powerful messages.

As a young girl, it seemed that God had given Gail a special love for the elderly. Through the years, that love has grown into a passion... a passion to reach out to those precious souls and make a difference in their lives. After more than 30 years of sharing their talent with audiences of all kinds, Gail and Ezra are excited about launching “Ezra’s Touch of Love." The same talent they have shared with thousands over the years is now being brought to one senior at a time.

The platform they speak from has changed from a stage with lights and a microphone, to the lap of a senior with an open and hungry heart. The applause of big crowds has been replaced with a smile on a face that was without expression. The contact they make is not with a group in need of a good laugh but with a person in need of a special touch.

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Description

The Introduction
It takes just a moment or two after Gail and Ezra walk through the doors of a senior or special needs facility for the fun to begin. Ezra's voice carries through the lobby and down the halls as he boldly announces his arrival. Although a few residents may be timid and not quite sure of who this Ezra is, it doesn't take long before all eyes are on him and he begins his greetings. Ezra greets everyone individually in their own room, in a small gathering or in their wheelchairs that line the hallways. As each person is greeted the "encounter" begins.
The Encounter
Ezra perches himself on the lap or cuddles into the arms of each person he meets. He looks them right in the eye (sometimes nose-to-nose) and asks them their name. He talks with them, jokes with them, and sings their favorite songs. Some can answer him… some cannot. Some can smile and laugh… some cannot. Some can sing along with Ezra… some cannot. Some understand Ezra’s unique touch of love….all can enjoy it. He becomes "real" to them and they become "alive."

The Effects
"Ezra's Touch of Love" is more than a program of entertainment for forgotten seniors. It brings unequivocal joy, tenderness, and love to those who are often unable to communicate with others. Ezra’s engaging personality breaks through many of the communication barriers as he spontaneously "brings the living to LIFE! "

"Ezra's Touch of Love" is not limited to the patients. It dramatically affects the staff at most facilities. Staff members are moved by watching their patients respond so joyfully to Ezra. Their faces beam as they watch Ezra make his rounds. Over and over again facial expressions reflect the impact of love. Gail and Ezra bring these caregivers an often much-needed break from their routine duties and give them a good laugh in the process.

Family members too are affected by "Ezra's Touch of Love." As they watch their loved one respond to Ezra they see glimpses of the person their parent, spouse or relative once was. For a moment, the physical and mental limitations that have imprisoned their family member temporarily disappear as they laugh, and sing, and connect with Ezra. It is not uncommon to see tears of joy in the eyes of the family members as they are reunited with the memories of the way life once was.

Program Objectives

The objectives of "Ezra's Touch of Love" are to:

• Visit nursing homes, Alzheimer's units, special needs adult and children's facilities, hospice homes, and veterans hospitals across the country to meet one-on-one with the residents.
• Bring joy to this special population through individualized attention, humor and love.
• Help families recapture memories of the way their loved ones once were.
• Do special programs for staff and caregivers to encourage and thank them.
• Raise public awareness of the increasing senior population and particularly the needs of those seniors in nursing homes and hospitals with the future goal of Ezra being a spokesman for these special people.
• Improve communication methods between patients and the world around them.

Sponsorship Opportunities

"Ezra's Touch of Love" is funded by the generosity of corporate friends who support Gail and Ezra Ministries. Sponsors make this program possible. Residents in nursing homes, Alzheimer's units, veteran's hospitals, and special needs facilities all across America need "Ezra's Touch of Love." Help restore communication and bring joy and love to those who need to be loved. “Bring the Living to LIFE.”

Since Ezra's "roots" are somewhere deep in the Northwoods, he has helped in the naming of the donation levels. Select from the following levels of sponsorship:

MIGHTY OAK LEVEL……………………………………………………………………………………$5,000 and above
A donation at this level would provide:

• 25+ visits to a local facility (see list provided) or
  2 visits per month for one calendar year to a local facility or
  Out of state visits to a facility of your choice (number of visits negotiable)
  Program for staff members at the facility
  

SAPLING LEVEL.…………………………………………………………………………………………. $1000 - $4,999
A donation at this level would provide:

• 5-25 visits to a local facility (see list provided) or
  Visits to an out of state facility (number of visits negotiable)
  

SEEDLING LEVEL……………………………………………………………………………………………….$500 - $999
A donation at this level would provide:

• 3-5 visits to a local facility (see list provided)
  3 home visits for housebound or hospice patients (within a 100 mile radius of Murrieta, CA)
  

ACORN LEVEL………………………………………………………………………………………………………$100 - $499
A donation at this level would provide:

• 1-2 visits to a local facility (see list provided)
  1-2 home visits for housebound or hospice patients (within a 100 mile radius of Murrieta, CA)

In addition, ALL sponsors will receive for one calendar year:
1) Recognition in "Ezra's Touch of Love" publicity material.
2) Your corporate logo and hyperlink on Gail and Ezra's web site (www.gailnezra.com).
3) Your name on Gail and Ezra's letterhead.

All donations to the "Ezra's Touch of Love" program are tax-deductible.

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Local Facilities List

Consistent visits to the same facilities make this program most effective. Below is a list of local facilities where "Ezra's Touch of Love" is embraced. Donors at all levels may choose from this list. If there is a facility not on this list that should be, contact Gail and Ezra Ministries, Inc. at (951) 696-1345 to add it to the list.

Morningside of Fullerton (Graduated Care)
800 Morningside Drive
Fullerton, California 92835
Phone: (714) 529-2952 - (800) 499-6010 (CA only)
www.morningsideoffullerton.com

Chancellor Place of Murrieta (Assisted Living)
24350 Jackson Avenue
Murrieta CA 92562
Phone: (951)696-5753
Fax: (951)696-8082

Pegasus Riding Academy (Horseback Riding for the Severely Handicapped and Stroke Survivors)
35-450-B Pegasus Court
Palm Desert, California 92211
(760) 772-3057
www.pegasusridingacademy.org

Home Visit
Chloe (a three year old with cerebral palsy)
Corona, CA

Country Villa (Skilled Nursing/Rehabilitation)
24100 Monroe Ave.
Murrieta, CA 92562
(909) 600-4640

Quaker Gardens (Graduated Care)
12151 Dale Ave
Stanton, CA 90680-3899
Phone: (714) 530-9100
Fax: (714) 530-0945

Sponsorship Packet Download
Click here to downlaod this packet.

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