In the spirit of St. Jeanne Jugan, Mary Anne Barothy who has worked in the Development Department for the past 19 years, shares her timely ‘St. Jeanne Jugan’ story. On February 7 Mary Anne met with our St. Augustine Guild President, Debbie Simmons, to discuss the Guild’s upcoming ‘needs auction’ for their annual HATS OFF TO SPRING Luncheon/Style Show coming up on May 2 at the Ritz Charles.
Debbie said Mother Francis Gabriel mentioned some major needs for our Home: new beds, mattresses and pillows. Learning of the ‘pillow’ need, Mary Anne couldn’t help but think of the commercial on TV heard several times an hour for Mike Lindell’s MyPillow. Having learned ‘how to beg’ from the dear Little Sister who hired her in 1999, Sister Marie Jeanne Ranallo, Mary Anne went on the MyPillow website. She submitted a request for 115 MyPillow – enough for each of our 96 Residents and also for the Little Sisters. This was late afternoon on Wednesday, February 7.
Little did anyone know on Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday (a week after the request online) that 10 large boxes would arrive with 115 queen size MyPillows! Mary Anne had no clue of the donation until another employee asked for the boxes. Needless to say, Mary Anne asked, “what boxes?” only to find all ten boxes with her name and a return label from MyPillow! What an awesome surprise!
From St. Jeanne Jugan we learn to “ASK for our Residents” for their needs. When Mother Francis Gabriel came to the dock area to see the ‘donation’ she was overwhelmed saying they had just ordered a few pillows for Residents. Mary Anne assured Mother she requested enough MyPillows for our 96 Residents, but also one for each of our Little Sisters.
We thank Mr. Mike Lindell of MyPillow for his generosity in granting our request. This is truly a modern day St. Jeanne Jugan story! God bless Mr. Mike Lindell, CEO & Inventor of MyPillow! Our Residents are really going to enjoy their new pillows!
St. Jeanne Jugan and Pillow Talk