Get the word out
Welcome to the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging blog: it’s our ongoing effort to bring information to help and inform seniors in our county. And please feel free to let us know YOUR ideas for events or forums that you want to see. We actively solicit your comments. You can contact the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging by email aging2010@gmail.com.
“Jots & Thoughts”
1. When did the Tuolumne County Commission on Aging come into being? Well, it isn’t clear from those locals who would know these things, as it was never tracked. Whatever the timeline, by the end of 2010 the existing Tuolumne County Commission on Aging consisted of 18 members, a two-and-a-half times increase in numbers from earlier in this decade.
2. Getting the word out! One morning last week, I got a call from the “The Navy Legal Services Office” in Lemoore looking to help someone from Sonora, a vet, who came to their office for legal help. So I gave the young lady who called a couple of names and phone numbers. Bill Loring, who volunteers with the Senior Legal Advocacy Program, called me back and said he is following up. Gratifying that we could help. By the way, Bill relays the information that the program’s staff could use another volunteer legal advocate. For more info or to volunteer, call 209-588-1597.
3. A recent USA Today story explains how other cities – such as Nashville, Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Chula Vista, Little Rock, and Philadelphia, in such groups as the “Cities of Service coalition” and the “Cool Roofs initiative” among others, are using volunteers (mostly retired) to “do good” by turning their energies and talents to community projects and programs. To quote from the article: “In an era of dwindling revenue and slashed spending, volunteerism is becoming a crucial part of city operations and a strategy to solve its most pressing problems.”
4. Another article I found of interest to older folks: How Safe is Your Home?” by George Feder on March 31, 2010. Click on: http://crimeprevention.crimereports.com/2010/03/31/how-safe-is-your-home/ … for your own information, please check it out. Good info!
5. The Commission’s Senior Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony was held in front of the Board of Supes on June 22. Audrey Sweat, longtime volunteer at the Sonora Senior Lounge, was named Tuolumne County Senior Volunteer of the Year. She and other nominees for the honor were presented with certificates and plaques by board chairman John Gray. Sweat was honored for 26 years as a volunteer at the Sonora Senior Center at North Washington and Elkin streets, where she greets people. Audrey has done a number of volunteer jobs. When presented with the award, she said “I’m kind of embarrassed, I don’t like to be in the limelight too much. I didn’t even realize it had been 26 years.” Congrats to Audrey!
6. The Commission’s Centenarian Society Event is October 19. The Commission on Aging is seeking information on local centenarians, those who have reached or surpassed the age of 100 years. A special recognition and honoring event is planned for Wednesday, October 19th, 11AM, at the Senior Center on Greenley Rd., in Sonora. The Commission is asking eligible individuals’ family members, friends, churches, residential care and skilled nursing facilities to submit names. For additional information and nomination forms, contact Cathie Peacock at 586-4802 or JoAnn Rascon at 588-9004. Or you may download a nomination form here: http://portal.co.tuolumne.ca.us/psp/ps/TUP_COMM_ON_AGING/ENTP/h/?tab=DEFAULT
Our next GENERAL MEETING date: August 8, 1:30PM at Area 12 Agency on Aging. All our meetings are open to the public. Come join us!
To view our blog, go to: http://tuolumnecountycommissiononaging.blogspot.com/
