Gretel Fitzpatrick has lived in the same Colorado Springs home for the 54 years since she married a soldier who brought her from her home in Germany.

Widowed for 10 years, Fitzpatrick, 78, found her home in need of major repairs — a new roof, furnace, siding — all at once, eating into her meager Social Security checks.

“Sometimes things break down,” Fitzpatrick said.

A friend told her to contact Silver Key, a non-profit assisting senior citizens in the Pikes Peak region with such things as groceries and home repairs. It is one of 15 area charities receiving grants from The Gazette-El Pomar Empty Stocking Fund.

On Fitzpatrick’s first visit to Silver Key about 6 months ago, a volunteer assessed her immediate needs. The next day, another volunteer was at her home fixing the gate and some windows.

The day after, four firefighters arrived to install new smoke detectors.

“I said, ‘Am I the luckiest girl in the world?’” Fitzgerald said.

Recently, Fitzpatrick suffered a series of blackouts and falls. When she showed up to Silver Key to get her monthly groceries, volunteers saw the large bruise on her face.

That evening, a Silver Key staffer called to check up on her.

“I talk to them like they’re my friends,” Fitzpatrick said. They are so caring. They are always available. They always make sure in any way or form that they can help you or direct you to what you need.”

Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE FILE