A Gift of Comfort
A simple gift of a good night’s sleep has made a world of difference for the residents at Booth Manor Apartments on Indianapolis’ west side. Booth Manor, owned and operated by The Salvation Army, is home to low-income seniors who often arrive with few personal possessions. Thanks to a generous donation from the Hyatt Regency in Bloomington, the residents of Booth Manor now have new beds to call their own.
The hotel, which is currently undergoing renovation, saw an opportunity to give back by donating more than 50 gently used mattresses and box spring to Booth Manor. They didn’t stop there, though, providing an additional fourteen mattresses to The Salvation Army’s other Booth Manor Apartments in Columbus, Indiana, ensuring that seniors in both communities would benefit from this act of kindness.
Hyatt Regency’s generosity inspired several other Salvation Army donors to step up and provide mattress frames, brand-new linens, and pillows. While some residents didn’t want a new mattress, everyone living at the two locations still received new linens as a gift of appreciation.
“This whole project came about after we helped one of the Booth Manor residents,” said Major Malinda O’Neil, Area Commander of The Salvation Army of Central Indiana. “We then realized that some people were sleeping on air mattresses – or even the floor – because they didn’t have their own mattress and we don’t furnish the rooms.”
The logistics of coordinating each of these donations could have been daunting, but that’s where Two Men And a Truck stepped in. The company, which has been a longtime supporter of The Salvation Army, not only handled the pickup of the mattresses, but also delivered them directly into each resident’s room, making the transition seamless and stress-free for the seniors.
“The new mattress is great for me and I’m sure the rest of us in the building,” said Walter, a resident of Booth Manor in Indianapolis. “I was happy and when they asked me if I wanted a mattress and box spring I immediately said yes.” Major Malinda spoke to many happy recipients of mattresses, linens, or both as each resident returned to their apartments to see their newly made beds.
Booth Manor Apartments provide affordable housing and support for low-income seniors, offering a safe and welcoming environment where residents can thrive. This donation reflects The Salvation Army’s mission to meet human needs without discrimination, ensuring that all individuals have access to the basic necessities. Thanks to the generosity of Hyatt Regency, the hard work of Two Men and a Truck, and the support of Salvation Army donors, the residents of Booth Manor can now rest more easily.