Aging Ahead salutes our many community partners in this newsletter edition. By working together, we can help ensure the journey of aging is filled with honor and dignity. Help us re-imagine aging as we collectively support adults to live their best lives through services and opportunities we can create and offer together.
The Northwest Way
Staff and students of the Northwest (NW) R-1 School District in Jefferson County demonstrate their commitment to community in remarkable ways.
10 years ago, employees of the district established “The Northwest Way,” a philanthropic program that supports organizations by helping friends and neighbors in Jefferson County. Employees are given the opportunity to participate through a payroll deduction. Each month the district selects a nonprofit organization that reflects the community’s diverse needs and interests.
On August 15, Aging Ahead was once again honored as a Northwest Way recipient. The check was presented by Dr. Desi Kirchhofer, Superintendent and Kim Roesch, Chief Human Resources Officer and received by Lisa Knoll, Bernita Reinarman and Beth Sachs, from Aging Ahead.
In addition to the donation, staff members of the NW Schools have delivered meals to homebound older adults for many years. Local high school students support older adults by attending and providing entertainment at a variety of senior center events. Completing the intergenerational community involvement, early childhood students play games and enjoy treats with older adults who share space under the same (school) roof. The seniors give back to the community by assembling backpacks each fall for the students and have recently started reading to the young children.
Working together, the students and staff demonstrate their commitment to the community and specifically to older adults in Jefferson County. Aging Ahead thanks you for your support!
Bank of Sullivan
Thursday, October 17th was a cold and rainy day, but the weather didn’t stop Bank of Sullivan employees, Debbie Durham and Abie Volner from volunteering their lunch hour to deliver meals to seniors in need.
For over 10 years, employees from the Bank of Sullivan have “adopted a route” and volunteered their lunch hour every week to help Aging Ahead deliver meals to homebound older adults. Debbie, the bank’s Senior Vice President, also serves on the United Way Committee Board and said, “serving on the [United Way] Board really opened my eyes to the needs of seniors and Aging Ahead.” When asked why they were drawn to volunteering, both Debbie and Abie responded that they each had a family member that received Meals on Wheels. “My mother received Meals on Wheels, and it always made me feel good that she had a smiling visitor to check in on her every day,” Debbie exclaimed.
Abie added, “my grandfather also received Meals on Wheels, and I’m glad I can provide that connection to others now.”
Bank of Sullivan’s delivery route is eight stops, including the house of Harland and Agnes Price. Harland suffered a stroke last March and remains the primary caretaker of his wife, Agnes, who is afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease. The Prices began receiving meal deliveries after Harland’s stroke and he expressed his thanks by saying, “I don’t know what we’d do without you all. It makes life a little better every day.”
Assistance Home Care
Allen and Sally Serfas founded Assitance Home Care 9 years ago on the principle of providing the highest quality of dependable home care in St. Louis for those who wish to remain in their own homes and need some assistance.
Another critical component of Assistance Home Care’s business model is giving back to the community. AHC has been a longtime supporter of Aging Ahead and has recently contributed in two big ways with the hope of inspiring other area businesses to “step up and support older adults in our community”. Becoming a Patron at all of our senior centers, AHC makes a monthly donation to help ensure centers remain a welcoming and valued part of the community filled with a variety of activities, delicious lunches, and opportunities to socialize. AHC has also made it possible for Aging Ahead to offer participants and supporters an additional way to donate.
Through the purchase of eight DipJars, AHC has given Aging Ahead the ability to place these unique donation tools throughout our service area and increase the donations we rely on to provide services.
We are profoundly grateful for Assistance Home Care’s ongoing support for Aging Ahead and those we serve!
Comments 1
Betty Grba Craghead
Thanks to the volunteers, we seniors are not forgotten. I donated my time when I was younger, and I was proud to do it.
I am very grateful for the volunteers who help older folks like myself.