much needed help- 1968

Anita McDonald (Bear) was in a tough spot. She was struggling to manage her MS and take care of her 3 children, now nearly all teenagers, without the help of her husband, who had left several years before. Unable to cook, clean, or care for herself in many ways, her daughter had taken on these duties at a very young age. The family was struggling to get by.

Out of the blue, Johnny Baker contacted Anita and came to visit. While she was too proud to ask him for help, he saw how his old friend was struggling. When he returned home to New Jersey, he asked his church for help. They contacted the First Presbyterian Church of Northport, NY, where Anita was living.

A Deacon inthe church, Emma Meissner, came with the pastor to visit Anita and see what kind of help they could provide her and her family. Emma and Anita instantly became good friends, talking on the phone each night. Emma and her husband, Claus, opened their hearts and home to Anita's family. Soon the Meissner and McDonald children were friends and the families gathered together for birthdays, holidays and other occasions.

Emma and Claus decided that Anita and her family really needed a better home, one equipped to fit Anita's wheelchair. in 1969 they bought the McDonalds a house and had it renovated to accommodate Anita's needs. As you would expect, they had a ramp built and made sure doorways and hallways were wide enough, but they went beyond and had