by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 2/2008

The Doolittle auction event is finally here! After months of preparation and the round-the-clock work of a dedicated group of volunteers, we’re proud to present over one hundred quality items – many priceless – at the fifth annual cable auction to benefit the Doolittle Home.

Did you know that Doolittle Home is truly one of Foxboro’s treasures? This beautiful residence is home to nearly 30 senior citizens, and provides total care in an elegant, dignified atmosphere. Doolittle Home is licensed by the State as a retirement facility and also provides for the medical needs of the residents in a fully accredited nursing unit. Most residents enter under the Life Care plan, which provides care for life, but options for monthly residents are also available.

If you visit Doolittle, you will quickly see that it is not at all like any extended care facility you have ever visited. Those investigating options for themselves or an elderly loved one will quickly learn that there are many different types of facilities meant to address different needs. While there are many different models to choose from, Doolittle Home’s life care approach is unique. Other entry plans are also available.

Like retirees everywhere, residents of Doolittle Home retain their own independent lifestyle. There is also an Activities Director who plans special trips as well as in-house activities which they find enjoyable. Through the Residents Council, they have a voice in planning activities, making their needs known, and helping to plan menus.

The licensed nursing staff is accessible to all residents on a 24/7 basis. To assure each resident’s total care, Doolittle Home has also contracted with several other health care professionals to assist with any of the residents’ health needs, whether it is in their rooms or on the nursing unit.

The admissions fee is comprehensive and provides for services throughout the life of the resident – there are no monthly or additional fees. The upfront fee covers the resident’s room, 3 meals a day plus snacks, medication management, nursing staff, activities, laundry, housekeeping, etc. If it becomes necessary to move the resident to the medical unit, that cost is covered as well.

For those who enter under the Life Care plan, the contract with residents at Doolittle Home is for life. They are cared for with love, dignity and whatever support is necessary for the remainder of their lives regardless of any change in physical or financial condition.

I have visited Doolittle many times. I love the place which is why I accepted so quickly when asked to join the Board of Trustees. I think the residents are amazing – they are obviously so comfortable, so happy. I spoke with one resident, who’s approaching 100 – I asked her if she planned on “going for 100” and she smiled and said it didn’t matter -- Doolittle is her home and she’s happy now – she’s at home. You’d never believe she’s 98. Another resident is 94 years young. Last Saturday I saw her going over a sheet of paper. “So many activities,” she told me, “I have to plan my day!” That Saturday morning after breakfast, some residents are chatting with others over cards, another is doing a puzzle, one is reading the newspaper, and several are hosting visitors.

People live longer at Doolittle, and one reason is that they don’t need to worry about their future. Will I be able to afford anything? What if I get sick? ALL of that worry is dismissed when someone lives at Doolittle. The worry is replaced with security, a happy life and knowledge that everything will be taken care of.

And may I add that the staff at Doolittle is just phenomenal. There’s little staff turnover and that means continuity for the residents. I watch the staff interact with the residents and I am impressed by the level of care, and the obvious affection the staff and residents share.

So you can see why I have come to love Doolittle Home – for someone who loves seniors so much, to see that this fine facility provides seniors with dignity, respect and quality of life – well, how can you not want to help?

Now here's the pitch. Doolittle Home is a non-profit organization organized under section 501 (c) 3 of the IRS code. As such, it must demonstrate outside support (read: auctions, donations, other support) and provide care at lower cost than could be obtained on the open market. Residents must also be afforded some sense of financial security and, in the case of Life Care residents, funds have to be available to continue those services even beyond the exhaustion of an individual's up front payment.

As part of the fundraising, for the fifth year, Doolittle Home will be holding an auction LIVE on Foxboro Cable Access (Channel 8) on Saturday March 1, starting at 1:00pm. I am urging you to watch, to call in and bid, and make a difference.

The auction is a Herculean effort coordinated by Jack Authelet, Lynda Walsh, Robert Gillis, Ken Bryant, Ginny Coppola, Marie Crimmins, Beth Ferencik, Lauren Bitar, and Mike Webber. We’re also so very grateful to Mike Everson, Marge Nash, Neil Kaiser and everyone at Foxboro Cable Access for their lengthy and detailed preparation, coordination, and clockwork execution of the annual show. We thank the Foxboro Reporter for all the news coverage and also thank the Foxboro Jaycees, who lug, tug, present items, and do hours of running around and heavy lifting. Many thanks to Andrea Cummings for arranging Jaycee manpower, and Kris Long for acting us out “floor manager” for auction day behind-the-scenes.

Now, let’s talk about some of the auction items: The donated items up for bid this year are phenomenal. There’s the usual excellent assortment of gift certificates to local businesses, stores, clubs and beauty salons, and of course (close to my heart) food. Truly something for everybody.

But let’s talk about some of the priceless items. Here’s just a sample:

• A New England Patriots ticket package for two with VIP parking.
• An original Homer White painting, “Heading home,” depicting a sailing ship with gorgeous colors.
• How would you like to play golf with NFL hall-of-famer Andre Tippet? You can if your bid is the highest!
• How about a week in a beautiful vacation home in Bethel Maine? Just bring the groceries and get away from it all in one of the most beautiful places in New England. Want to stay closer to home? We have a $500 gift certificate to Normandy Farms campground.
• Soccer fan? Check out the family pack of New England Revolution Tickets.
• Like Country Music? Bid on the tickets to see KENNY CHESNEY at Gillette this year!
• Do you like tech toys? How about a digital camera? Of a state-of-the art car GPS system that tells you the names of the street?
• In addition to the sports tickets mentioned above, we have a Red Sox World Series collage featuring the winning team and the original tickets to all four games. We also have a Mike Lowell autographed Red Sox Baseball.
• One of our most prized offerings is a unique, all wood, hand hewn reproduction of a barn built in Western New York in 1823. This scale model features post and beam pegged construction just like the original. Built by Bill Gifford of Canandaigua, New York, whose work appears in collections around the country. For collectors or fun, this model brings back many memories and pays tribute to the craftsmen of old.
• We have an impressive selection of appliances to make your kitchen chores easier, and dare I say… fun?
• Tours are again a favorite offering; both Rep. Jay Barrows and Senator Timilty are offering State House Tours. There is also a tour of WCVB channel 5, and WBZ radio with Jordan Rich.
• We have a variety of artwork to compliment any room and taste.
• My favorite category is “Uniquely Foxboro.” Included in our hometown selection are items such as the last of the gorgeous sketches of Foxboro Common. A vibrant watercolor of the old fire station. A unique “Foxboro Townie” bracelet. An original Foxboro fire call box. Sets of rare historic photographs of Foxboro. Your own historic house plaque – researched for you. And a guaranteed pleaser: RIDE A FOXBOROUGH FIRE TRUCK IN THE FOUNDERS DAY PARADE. Also, we’re offering another of the hand-crafted tables created by the late Cliff Curry.
• There’s a selection of new brass lamps and lanterns from the renowned Sturdy Lamp Company.

And that’s just for starters.

As always, we have a full page ad in this week’s Foxboro Reporter for which we are most appreciative. Also, the Doolittle Home web site, www.Doolittle-Home.org features a PREVIEW of over one hundred high quality items up for bid. Visit the website daily for a constantly updated preview and start making a list of the items you wish to bid upon come auction day! And while you’re there, check out the rest of the Doolittle site for tons of information about residents, staff, the Doolittle mission, trustees, activities, even sample menus and calendar.

The items are also being previewed on Foxboro Cable Access.

All donations are tax deductible. For additional information about Doolittle Home or its auction or to make a cash donation toward this wonderful cause, please call the Doolittle Home at 508-543-2694 or auction chairman Lynda Walsh at 508-543-2668.

And PLEASE: Watch the live auction and bid. Mark your calendar now. I am asking you –for this one day -- to set aside time at 1pm on Saturday March 1 to tune into the Doolittle Auction on Channel 8.

So many people have worked very hard for months to put together this grand event to support one of Foxboro’s treasures. You can help by tuning in, calling in, and bidding. Tell your friends out of town to check out the website – perhaps they might like to call in as well? Bid high. Bid often. Keep those phones ringing! You have an opportunity to help our seniors once again. Remember, we’ll all be a senior someday! Help make a difference. Support Doolittle Home! www.Doolittle-Home.org