Submitted by Maria Reed, Administrator
Join us in saying “Goodbye Winter and Hello Spring!” We had several closures through the last couple of months. We appreciate everyone’s understanding in this matter. We do not want to put our senior citizens, staff, or volunteers in danger during snow storms, slick conditions, or frigid temperatures. Closure notifications are currently broadcast on KMA radio, KMAland.com/cancellations, St. Joe KQ2 news station, and Facebook. In the future our wish is to have a text alert set up. If you are interested in getting text alerts about closures and other special events happening at the center, call the center at 660-744-5812 and give us your cell phone number. Once we have enough signed up we will begin sending text alerts.
Back to Spring! Bingo has begun again. It is held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m. We have a pretty good stock pile of donations for prizes. If you still wish to donate, snack items and candy are the quick pick amongst our participants. Who doesn’t love their chocolate?
Other things to look forward to this spring include our Easter dinner on April 16. We will be closed April 18-21 for the Easter holiday. We will have our annual Mother’s Day dinner and a Father’s Day dinner as well. Currently, we are brainstorming ideas for a fundraiser dinner for one of those two occasions. All are welcome to join us for these dinners.
There have been and will continue to be lots of changes with the final rule under the Older Americans Act of 1965. To remain in compliance with our Area Agency on Aging and the state and federal agencies which fund our program, these changes are necessary.
With that said, I want to give a brief description of our program. Rock Port Senior Center Associates provides nutrition services to local aging Americans. We do this to help them sustain their independence. Our home delivered meal and congregate participants age 60 and older qualify for this service at no cost. This includes their spouses and age 59 and under who are disabled. Contributions are welcome and encouraged to help continue and expand our nutrition program. Monies received during program hours from program participants must be put back into the program. Funding for this program is paid in part by the Area Agency on Aging, Young at Heart Resources. The suggested contribution amount, under contract with Young at Heart and the federal and state agencies must match the amount it costs the center to make the meal. Inability or unwillingness to pay will not result in denial of services. We want to remind everyone that you should only contribute what your budget allows if you are willing to and able. Please don’t be discouraged when you see the suggested contribution amount change. If you wish to donate directly to Rock Port Senior Center, please reach out to the administrator to learn how.
If you are looking for summer volunteer opportunities, please reach out. We lose a few of our volunteer delivery drivers after school gets out for the summer and will be looking for a couple of people to fill in temporarily. Our clients enjoy seeing all the volunteers that help!
As always, we appreciate all of our volunteers and those who donate to the center. We are always looking for volunteers to help deliver to our homebound clients. An added bonus is that volunteer hours are reimbursed by the state to the center, which helps feed the senior citizens in Rock Port. Not only are you taking a hot meal to someone who may not otherwise get one that day, you are also helping fund that meal. If you are interested in volunteering reach out to Maria at the center for more information. Each volunteer receives one free meal each time they volunteer. Just let the kitchen know (744-5812) if you will be taking a meal.
