Singing Summit Sisters Lend Voices To Support Sage Eldercare

Summit NJ

22 October, 2020

4:09 PM

Description

SUMMIT, NJ — Two years ago, when Kareena and Esha Gupta arrived at Sage Eldercare to sing at the Summit facility that provides medical and cognitive care for local older citizens who receive treatment there, they were as moved by the experience as their audience was by their performance. The two teenage sisters from Summit returned to Sage's Spend-A-Day Adult Day Medical Health Care Center again in 2019 when they provided musical entertainment. Once again, they found their time at Sage rewarding. But this year, when the coronavirus pandemic prevented the Gupta sisters paying a visit to the senior facility that opened in Summit in 1954, they decided to take their musical talents to a different platform. Kareena, 17, and Esha, 14, video-recorded a concert from their home in Summit and sent it out to the residents who participate in the Sage Eldercare program. But rather than just providing musical entertainment, the two sisters are hoping to make even a bigger difference. In addition to making the video, the teenagers also established up a fund-raising effort to support the Spend-A-Day initiative, which has been forced to be suspended because of the ongoing pandemic. As of Thursday, the grassroots effort has raised more than $1,500 toward the girls' $10,000 goal. "It's so important that we stay positive," Esha Gupta said. I'm glad to have been able to spread some happiness." The 30-minute video was compiled with photos of those who participate in the Sage program. Kareena and Esha said that they wanted to provide the concert to let people who are served by the Sage program that they are not forgotten. According to the Sage website, Spend-A-Day benefits older adults feeling isolated, needing companionship, or need care due to Alzheimer's disease, Dementia or other medical challenges. The program also provides much needed respite to caregivers who provide daily care to the residents who find support at the senior facility. "Esha and I wanted to create a music video to stay connected to the clients and bring them some joy and hope," Kareena Gupta said. Funds donated through the online concert will help to reopen the Spend-A-Day program at Sage with coronavirus pandemic safety protocols in place. "We are so inspired by Kareena and Esha's support of our Spend-A-Day clients," program director Pam Marusic said. "For such young women to come up with this idea to raise money and awareness it's just unbelievable. We are so thankful."