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From the Director: Neighbors helping
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Older Americans most at risk for medication-related problems
Neighbors
helping neighbors
From the Director
by Robert P. Dean, Executive Director
The late Thomas (Tip) O=Neill, Jr., former Speaker of the U.S.House of Representatives, was fond of saying that Aall politics is local@. Part of what he meant by this was that you should never forget about your neighbors and their needs. I would like to paraphrase Congressman O=Neill and suggest that in many ways Aall human services are local@. Our community certainly reflects this. We have interwoven a safety net to protect and serve those who from time to time, must rely upon the help and support of others. Much of this support comes from volunteers who give of themselves to help a neighbor, and from those who provide financial support to the many agencies and organizations who provide help for their neighbors.
A few examples as they relate to services for elders:
Even during these difficult financial times, the Berkshire United Way, the City of Pittsfield, the Northern Berkshire United Way, and the Williamstown Community Chest continue their commitment to help support elders who are at risk of losing their independence or who need assistance to manage monthly financial tasks. The United Ways and the Williamstown Community Chest were able to continue their support because of the dedication and generosity of their volunteers and supporters, particularly during these difficult times.
For 25 years, the Greylock Federal Credit Union has sponsored an annual golf tournament to benefit local human service agencies. For this year and last, the recipient of all tournament proceeds has been Elder Services' Meals on Wheels program, which delivers hot nutritious meals to homebound elders throughout Berkshire County.
The General Electric Foundation continues to provide support for programs that provide for the well-being of elders by matching G.E. employees= and retirees= charitable donations to Elder Services.
The Williamstown Savings and Hoosac Banks, in conjunction with Elder Services, recently presented a series of community forums to provide information about identity theft and fraud awareness and the steps that elders can take to protect themselves.
In regards to volunteers, it should be recognized that a volunteer freely gives the greatest gift of all.... his or her own time.
More than 400 people volunteer through Elder Services to assist their older neighbors in a variety of ways, including providing help with such things as shopping, companionship, transportation to medical appointments, performing minor home repairs, and providing assistance to manage monthly financial tasks. Other Elder Services volunteers advocate for the rights of nursing home residents, help prepare and deliver meals to homebound elders, provide health insurance information to elders, assist with the production of Berkshire Senior TV, help with mailings, and with the distribution of this newspaper, Berkshire Senior.
This past winter, a number of students from the McCann Vocational Technical High School in North Adams volunteered to assist local elders by shoveling their steps and walkways.
The Earth Angels are a group of volunteers who perform like professionals. Each year, the Angels expend a considerable amount of their time planning, rehearsing, and building sets for their musical performances. And each year the Angels donate the entire proceeds from their performances (which are considerable), to a number of local organizations which serve children, adults or elders.
This past July, for the first time ever, Elder Services entered a float in the City of Pittsfield=s Fourth of July Parade. Many people (staff, family and friends) volunteered a great deal of their own time to work on this float, which had an inter-generational theme and depicted AA Day at the Park@ as enjoyed by children, parents, and grandparents. The float won the prestigious AMayor=s Trophy@. But for many who worked on the float, the proudest moment came three days after the parade... when Elder Services received a telephone call from an elder who had seen the float in the parade, and was calling for help in order to stay in his own home. Now, THAT=s a successful float.
Neighbors helping neighbors build a better community. Thanks, neighbor, for all you do.