The Gift of Love Non-Profit

Hello,

My name is Brittney Bade and I have been a resident of Mesa County for my whole life. I have seen throughout the years how wonderful our community can be for giving back to those without families or friends of their own.

By watching other deeds by community members and knowing I always wanted to give back I started doing Holiday gift baskets for the Latimer House back in 2018. I am a Mary Kay saleswoman and was able to fill the baskets with my products to allow the women something to pamper themselves with. I also included small toys and gifts for the children as well as comfort items such as socks. The impact these baskets had was immediate. The women in the shelter felt validated and heard simply by myself raising these funds and delivering the baskets to them. They all expressed their gratitude and the difference it made in their life.

The last few years I have been wanting to grow this gift by also delivering to the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the Grand Valley. I am aware of many who have been stuck isolated and lonely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and inability of family or friends to visit them. As restrictions have lifted sadly many of these people still don't have visitors or care packages being brought to them. I know the gift baskets that I have been doing for Latimer House would be just as worthwhile and impactful to nursing home and assisted living members. Beyond delivering the packages having someone to consistently visit with them on a quarterly, monthly or even just occasional basis would make all the difference for their mental health.

of Love Ine At the Gift of Love Inc, our hope is to bring love to many people in Mesa County.

 We started providing care packages to the Domestic Violence clients at Hilltop's Latimer House back in 2018. Then we decided that we could be helping even more people in Mesa County feel less lonely and give them something to look forward to. 

As a Mary Kay consultant, I would make holiday gift sets to sell. I saw that people were really happy to purchase them and I thought people would also be happy to receive them, especially people who might not receive a Christmas gift.

 I figured out ways to raise funds and make care packages to be donated. Today, we serve babies all the way to seniors and each care package is designed for the person. For example, seniors may be in more need of food items, hygiene products and warm socks because most seniors have a limited income. I also include some fun things like candy, snacks and crossword puzzles. 

For kids we do stuffed animals, toys and games. Our brain injury clients receive basic necessities such as water bottles and snacks. We try to pamper our clients in the DV shelter with beauty products and comfort items. We try to see what they need and add in special gifts to help them feel loved.

 We're also currently serving about 2000 people in Mesa County who are in need of groceries and necessities weekly. Currently, we are serving Hilltop's Latimer House, Fountains and Life Adjustment Program, as well as Karis Teen Shelter (The House,) Ariel Clinical Services (Fostor Youth), Walnut Senior Apartments, Nelly Senior Apartments, Mesa Maner, Capella, Solstice of the Grand Valley, Monterey Park and the Tiffany Apartments, Midland Village and Housing Authority, and many more in Mesa county.