A generous gesture could make life easier for Damaris Pelay, an 85-year-old Cuban woman who worked all her life but now can barely afford some of the basic goods she needs.

In her native town of Jovellanos, in Matanzas province, Pelay worked in her early years as a teacher in a primary school. But when she came to Miami in 1966, she could not continue teaching because she did not speak English and had to take care of her sick mother.

That’s what her younger sister, Gloria González, told El Nuevo Herald, adding that Pelay finally got a job as a cashier in a Hialeah supermarket and eventually retired with a modest pension.

“She was not paid a lot, but she nevertheless managed to save enough for her old age, not knowing that she would become the victim of a person who promised to invest that money in the stock market and wound up losing it all,” said González. She lost her life savings in the investment scheme.

The sister added that Pelay was always a good Christian who helped members of her church in any way she could, be it taking care of the children or advising new members who were immigrants from Cuba and other Latin American countries.

But her memory started to fail in recent years, and she could no longer take care of herself. She also broke her leg, which put her in a hospital for two months and still affects her ability to walk.

“The doctors diagnosed her with senile dementia. She could no longer take care of herself or carry on a coherent conversation, so I decided to put her in an efficiency apartment next to my house so I could take care of her,” said Gonzalez, who is 72.

Gonzalez, who receives a small pension, needs to buy her sister a microwave oven, blankets and other basic goods that will cost about $200. So she asked for help from STEPS in the Right Direction, a nonprofit based in Miami Lakes that nominated her for Wish Book.

During the holiday season, the Wish Book initiative by the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald seeks donations for community members who need help and the relatives who care for them.

STEPS in the Right Direction has been helping low-income residents of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties for the past two decades.

“I had no choice but to ask for help, because I just can’t spend more,” said Gloria, who has helped the nonprofit by visiting elderly people who need help. “I hope someone lends us a hand. God will repay you.”

HOW TO HELP

Wish Book is trying to help hundreds of families in need this year. To donate, pay securely at MiamiHerald.com/wishbook. For information, call 305-376-2906 or email wishbook@miamiherald.com. (The most requested items are often laptops and tablets for school, furniture, and accessible vans.) Read more at MiamiHerald.com/wishbook.