Helping hand

Middle schooler reaches out to senior citizens

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 3/18/20

Emily Rose Martin has been helping her grandmother Valerie, who lives in the Golden View complex, by shopping for her groceries because of the impact the coronavirus has had on the senior …

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Helping hand

Middle schooler reaches out to senior citizens

Posted

Emily Rose Martin has been helping her grandmother Valerie, who lives in the Golden View complex, by shopping for her groceries because of the impact the coronavirus has had on the senior community.

Renae Martin said her daughter is only in Middle School [and is Miss Teen Hudson Valley 2020] but came up with the idea of shopping for other seniors on her own a few weeks ago.

“Emily decided that this was something she wanted to do and we expanded it through the month of March to give back to the community,” Renae said. “It is a good thing for her to learn as a child. It’s always been instilled in her to care about her community and her elders, so it’s really encouraging her to do something good and we’re just running with it.”

Emily Rose has been focusing on the Highland and Clintondale area and doing this on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. She calls her outreach ‘Seniors Opt4 Safety.’
Emily heard about the coronavirus in science class.

“We learned that the elderly are more susceptible to it. I want them to stay safe and I want them to know that people in the community will help them get their food and their medicine. I don’t want them to get stressed about that kind of stuff,” she said.

Renae created an order form that lists all of the details, the amounts and a receipt so seniors would feel more comfortable with the entire process.
Emily said seniors most often ask for personal hygiene products, fruits and vegetables and soups.

Emily said she hopes her actions will inspire others to lend a helping hand in this difficult and uncertain time.

“I feel the community should come together and help people because I feel it will help with the panic,” she said.

Renae said many people have seen their Facebook posting, Seniors Opt4 Safety, and have reached out to offer their assistance. She can be reached through her shop, Lilly Rae in the Hamlet at 845-616-4251.