An attic clear-out turned into an opportunity to improve seniors’ quality of life
It’s a fundraising opportunity that could help bring more joy into the lives of seniors… and it all started with an attic clear-out that uncovered a centuries-old treasure.
Westmeath Residential & Nursing Home had reached out to Delight Morris, founder of Orange Bay Company, and asked her to help sell items they had in storage.
Ms Morris realised a cedar chest they had may be something special, and had auctioneer Andrea Casling appraise the antique.
Showing the item to Bermuda Broadcasting, Ms Casling said, “This is a fabulous Bermuda cedar chest on frame, circa 1700… Its value is probably in the $25,000 area.”
This discovery has grown into a $35-thousand-dollar fundraising campaign entitle ‘A Life Well Lived‘, in an effort to supply more quality-of-life programmes for seniors – something that became harder to provide during and following the pandemic.
Sue Sharpe, a trustee at Westmeath said, “Senior care homes were very hard hit during COVID… the whole activities program was shut down.”
“It’s taken us a while to get a business back up and running. So this is very timely, because we’re now at the stage of enhancement, adding more [of] the nicer aspects of of care.”
The fundraiser will help provide more music programmes, gardening and outdoor activities, scenic tours, and equipment to help residents at Westmeath stay mobile.
As part of the campaign, a silent auction will be held for the antique cedar chest.
Find out more in the report above. Full press release below.
Orange Bay Company Press Release:
Orange Bay Company is proud to announce its official sponsorship of A Life Well Lived, a $35,000 fundraising campaign designed to enhance the quality of life for Westmeath Residential & Nursing Care Home residents.
This 30-day campaign, from April through May 2025, focuses on more than upgrades. It centers joy, mobility, and human dignity, meeting fundamental needs with compassion and care. The funding will support mobility aids, outdoor gardening, community outings, music therapy, and essential bedding replacements for the elders who call Westmeath home.
“As a company rooted in meaningful spaces and thoughtful legacy, this partnership makes perfect sense for us,” said Delight Morris, founder of Orange Bay Company. “Orange Bay has always believed that beauty, purpose, and care should extend into every part of our lives, including where we honor and support our elders. Westmeath has been doing the quiet, dignified work of care for decades. This campaign helps uplift that work.”
“Westmeath is very grateful to Orange Bay Company for sponsoring this resident wellness-focused fundraising campaign,” said Natalie Chaves, Chair of the Board at Westmeath. “It started with a humble request to Delight Morris to help clear out Westmeath’s attic, and during that process, they came across a cedar chest that had been quietly sitting there. She quickly recognized it was something special, and from that moment, this campaign began to take shape. Bermuda’s seniors are often forgotten when it comes to giving, but how we treat them is a measure of who we are as a community.”
Sponsorship packages include:
Joy Through Music Package – $500
Provides silent disco headphones for residents who find connection and comfort in music.Safe Steps Package – $3,500 to $4,130
Funds essential pothole repairs around the Westmeath grounds, making walking safer for all.Gardens & Gatherings Package – $5,000
Supports the creation of raised bed gardens, giving residents the joy of nurturing life outdoors.On the Move Package – $5,000
Covers the cost of a larger bus for scenic tours and community outings, so no resident is left behind.Mobility Matters Package – $6,000
Provides a platform walker and a hydraulic lift to restore independence and ease of movement.Rest & Renewal Package – $12,500
Delivers 50 new twin sheet sets and 50 washable pillows for improved daily comfort and care.The Whole-Hearted Package – $35,000
Sponsors the entire initiative, creating a ripple effect of dignity, wellness, and joy throughout Westmeath.All donors contributing $500 or more will be permanently recognized on a dedicated plaque at Westmeath. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to Westmeath for quality-of-life enhancements, not general facility repairs.
As part of the campaign, an exclusive antique Bermuda cedar chest on frame, circa 1700, will be sold via silent auction. This chest can be viewed at Orange Bay Company. Bids can be submitted by email to delight@orangebaycompany.com through May 15, 2025.
“This exquisite antique Bermuda cedar chest is so very Bermudian with its onion feet, detailed dovetailing, and scalloped apron replicating the roll of our ocean,” said Andrea Casling, Bermuda’s renowned antique dealer. “It is a treasure, as are our fabulous elders.”
By supporting this initiative, you make a direct impact:
- By funding a garden bed, you give someone a reason to go outside again.
- By sponsoring mobility tools, you return independence to someone recovering from a fall.
- By contributing bedding, you replace something worn and clinical with something soft and personal.
Join us in building joy, dignity, and comfort together. The campaign ends on May 15, 2025.
To support A Life Well Lived:
Delight Morris
Founder, Orange Bay Company
Email: delight@orangebaycompany.comDirect donations:
The Westmeath Trustees
HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited
Account Number: 010-035723-011Westmeath Residential & Nursing Care Home is a registered charity (#206).
