“Senior Resources of Freeborn County must be the best kept secret in Freeborn County!” The board of directors has heard board chair, Paul Anderson, make this statement many times.

The board has recently decided to help those who don’t understand what Senior Resources does. They would like everyone to know how great it is that Freeborn County has this nonprofit organization.

The board would like to clear up confusion that it’s similar to a senior citizen’s center. Freeborn County’s Senior Citizen Center is also located in the Skyline Plaza, and while it’s a treasure that provides social, cultural and an entertainment area for elderly citizens in the area, it does require membership and dues. Senior Resources focuses on providing services to the elderly and disabled to aid in maintaining safe independence and wellness in their own homes when possible.

These services include chores, transportation, advocacy, guardianship and training and support for caregivers, mostly provided by volunteers and coordinated by various staff members. There is no membership other than to a group called Friends of Senior Resources, which pledges financial support.

In each of the seven areas in which Senior Resources provides services, there is a coordinator in the office. There is also an executive director whose charge is the business of this nonprofit. This challenging position is responsible for compiling the information from each of the programs, budgeting, grant writing, fundraising, quarterly and year-end reports, payroll and public relations.

This year the guardianship/conservatorship program has assisted four elderly persons who had no one who could assume that responsibility. It also assisted five developmentally disabled young adults for the same reason. So far this year, 1,767 individual families received information and support to meet their needs in housing, health care, nutrition, finances or in areas of vulnerability.

Just in the month of October, Ride Services provided 788 rides. That adds up to more than 700 hours of volunteer time and almost 10,000 miles logged.

The wellness campaigns in our community have been helped by the Bone Builders program organized by the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program area of Senior Resources. There are 29 volunteer leaders who carry out twice-weekly exercise groups in 14 sites in the county. There are 180 participants who take part in that free program.

If you or someone you know needs assistance contact Senior Resources at 377-7433.