Column: Senior Resources does more than many know

Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 30, 2007

Karol Held, Touch a Life

Two weeks into the United Way campaign, we have reached 22 percent of our goal and we are excited about the generosity, caring and compassion of the people in Freeborn County.

Five essential needs are served using the money raised by United Way.

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They are: nurturing youth and children, assisting people in crisis, increasing self sufficiency, strengthening families and supporting older people.

Today, I&8217;m going to address how the United Way serves older people in Freeborn County.

Thirteen percent of United Way funding goes into programs designed to assist senior citizens.

Senior Resources is one of the agencies helping to provide this assistance. The mission statement of Senior Resources reads &8220;The mission of Senior Resources is to provide services to seniors and other persons of need that assist in their ability to be independent, active and a participating member of their community.&8221;

One of their programs is ride services. Transportation is cited as one of the most important services to seniors in order for them to remain active and independent. Volunteer drivers are instrumental in assuring that seniors have access to social, business and medical resources. Last week, I visited with some of the volunteer drivers about their role. They had wonderful stories to tell about their experiences and agreed that seniors utilizing this service are able to be more independent because of this help. Senior Resources estimates that in the past 27 years, volunteers have driven 1.8 million miles, giving 146,100 rides and donated 118,810 hours of their time! Without funding from United Way to pay for fuel and provide driver training, this service would be seriously limited.

Another reason your United Way contribution is important to Senior Resources is the additional grant funds our contribution provides. In other words, for each $10 given through United Way, they can receive as much as $30 in matching funds from federal and state agencies.

The United Way contribution has a huge impact on their budget.

Senior Resources also has a Chore Services program.

This program helps seniors with outdoor chores including mowing, leaf raking, and snow removal.

In addition, program staff recruit community volunteers to provide assistance with cleaning gutters, washing windows, yard cleanup and occasionally house painting.

I was also impressed with the program Senior Resources provides called Senior Advocacy. This program provides help finding information on housing, senior drug programs, finances, medical assistance, home health care, insurance options, and a host of other areas. They will call on seniors in their homes to assess what services they may need.

Senior Resources places emphasis on services that allow seniors to remain independent and in their own homes.

Last week, we were honored to share a Semcac meal with some seniors at Senior Towers. This meal is available to anyone 60 years or older and is subsidized by the contributions Semcac receives from United Way. Diners are given the opportunity to contribute to the cost of the meal but no one is denied a meal because they are unable to contribute.

This also provides an excellent way for people who are living alone to socialize. These programs, funded in part with United Way contributions, help to touch the lives of the elderly in Freeborn County.

You can support United Way, both with your contributions and by participating in upcoming events. Don&8217;t miss the Giving Your Best Family Fun Fair at the Northbridge Mall on Oct. 13. It will be a fun day for kids of all ages. The Grand Wine Tasting & Silent Auction at the Ramada Inn is another favorite and is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Please give generously to the United Way.

Karol Held is a co-chairwoman for the 2007 United Way of Freeborn County campaign.