Essex Happenings 2.15.12

ESSEX HAPPENINGS 2.15.12
The following letter was prepared and provided to local Newspapers By North Shore Elder Services. The effort supports the numerous food and nutrition programs provided to the elderly through numerous sources in communities across this region.

January 31, 2012
Letter To the editor… Important that Congress Renews Older Americans Act
Every year, North Shore Elder Services provides 200,000 hot nutritious meals to elderly residents in the communities of Danvers, Peabody, Salem, Marblehead and Middleton.
This vital service is made possible through federal legislation known as the Older Americans Act. In Massachusetts alone, the funding allowed agencies to serve 8.6 million meals to older adults last year. These meals were served at luncheon programs in senior centers, elderly housing and other community venues where seniors gather or delivered to older adults in their homes through Meals on Wheels.
The future of this successful program now rests with members of the U.S. Congress, who are expected to vote this month on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. We are asking the community to show your support for this important legislation.
According to the data from the Massachusetts Elder Nutrition programs, close to 67 percent of the recipients of the home-delivered meals are age 80 or older and about 75 percent report that the hot lunch is their main meal of the day. Participants also cited improved health as a result of the delivered meals. In fact, more than 75 percent reported eating better, feeling better or having more energy as a result of the nutrition program.
With minimal stigma attached, the program also continues to prove to be successful in reaching those with the lowest incomes.
With the baby-boom population increasing at an unprecedented rate, 2012 is a critical year to guarantee the nutrition and health of older adults across the country. North Shore Elder Services joins with groups such as the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs to emphasize to members of Congress the need to keep the vital community and home-based services provided by the Older Americans Act ongoing.
The Older Americans Act has enjoyed bipartisan support during its more than 45-year history. It's critical to the 75,000 older adults who received nutritious meals that there is no disruption in the renewal process.
Paul Lanzikos Erica Blumberg
Executive Director Nutrition Program Manager
North Shore Elder Services
Danvers

Letter Received from Governor Patrick to North Shore Elder Services and other

organizations regarding nutrition funding.

On behalf of Governor Deval L. Patrick, thank you for your letter regarding your support of the Elderly Nutrition Program in the FY2013 budget. Governor Patrick welcomes your thoughts on the state spending initiatives that are important to you.

Massachusetts is experiencing many encouraging signs of economic recovery, but we will continue to face difficult challenges in the new fiscal year.
The Governor's budget proposal is a responsible and balanced plan to fund the state's programs and services next year, while recognizing that the state must live within the resources available. This budget continues to drive innovation and change the way government does business to ensure every taxpayer dollar is being stretched as far as possible. We will continue to work with our partners in the Legislature in the coming months as they move ahead with the budget process.

Please know that the Governor is grateful to have your voice as part of this important discussion. If you have additional concerns, please feel free to call us at 617-725-4005.

Sincerely,

Governor Patrick's Constituent Services Office

617-725-4005

North shore Elder Services Case Managers Melissa Daly and Barbara Quinn were recently Recognized by the Massachusetts Council for Home Care Aid Services for their commitment to seniors from this region.

At its 41st annual meeting, the Massachusetts Council for Home Care Aid Services saluted North Shore Elder Service case managers Melissa Daly and Barbara Quinn. Daly and Quinn were among the nominees for the Cathe Madden Award, which is given to case managers who demonstrate extraordinary enthusiasm, innovation and commitment to their job. Danvers-based North Shore Elder Services provides services to older adults in Peabody, Danvers, Salem, Marblehead and Middleton.

The Salem Partnership has Provided the Following Notice about an open Meeting that might be of interest to local Residents


Salem Train Station Improvements
And Parking Garage



Thursday, February 16, 2012
6:30PM - 8:30PM

Carlton School
10 Skerry Street
Salem, Massachusetts

AGENDA
• Projects Update
• Project Impacts
• Design Progress
• Schedule



I am not sure if any of you have ever benefited from the generosity of the Salem Rotary and if you have, the event described below could serve as an opportunity to help their valuable support to this region. I have been a member of this group for many years and can attest to their unusual level of support. They annually provide about $50,000 in scholarship grants and other generous gifts to many organizations. Please think about how you might be able to assist their auction event.




Service clubs like Salem Rotary cannot function without the assistance of all of its members and their friends, families and business acquaintances. We are calling for your help in our BIGGEST fund-raiser of the year, our annual auction. It is scheduled for Friday evening, March 16, at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Here is some pertinent information on how you can help:

1. Buy tickets, not just for yourself, but for some friends and business contacts who will come and bid for the good of our cause. Then COME to the auction and bid early and often!

2. Tickets are only $75 each, or a table of 8 for $475, which works out to less than $60 per ticket -- and includes Drink Tickets, Hors d'oeuvres, Dinner, and Wine with Dinner, as well as the taxes and service charges. You cannot go out to dinner for that much and have such a nice evening!!

3. Bring some bottles of wine to be included in our "WINE CELLAR" raffle. If everyone who attends brings two bottles of wine, there should be one person who will win over 200 bottles of wine. You can bring the wine with you in advance to Rotary, and Juli Lederhaus will collect it in her office.

4. Donate items to the auction. Think about things you have access to that others might desire and want to pay for! Think about creative things you can make or do, and give those. Donate those items to the auction and please do so soon. You can bring things like gift certificates to Rotary with you, but we ask that anything of size be brought to John Walsh Insurance on Margin St. to be held until the auction. We need to know SOON what items we have to auction, so we can get them in the program book.

5. If you are not able to think of those kinds of things, donate cash now to the auction committee. They will use your cash to create innovative and desirable gift baskets to put in the auction. See Chair Liz Bradt to do this.

6. Take out an ad in the program book. This is good for your company, or a way you can recognize a special someone.

7. Spread the word. Everyone is welcomed to attend. The more of the general public we get to attend, the better. Do you know anyone who has a child who has benefitted from our generosity? Get the word out through them!! Forward this email with great abandon!!!!

8. Volunteer to assist the committee the afternoon and night of the auction. We have some one and two-hour shifts where we can use your help, or help from members of your staff or family who you would recommend to us.

If you have questions, email Liz Bradt at docliz@creaturehealth.com or call her at 978-740-0290.

We cannot do this alone!!! We need your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much from the entire hard-working AUCTION COMMITTEE!!!