“Older Americans Day” Recognizes Volunteers

by Jonathan Weaver

Hundreds of senior volunteers that aid those at the county’s dozen senior centers and locations were honored yesterday afternoon for their service last year.

At the Kittanning Senior Center along Queen Street, Area Agency on Aging Executive Director Janet Talerico and Commissioner Bob Bower presented certificates to those volunteers.

“There were 15 (volunteers recognized) at the Kittanning center, but we’re doing that at all of the centers. I think for 2014, we had 231 volunteers in all the different programs we had,” Talerico said. “We’ve been really lucky that if we lose volunteers – if they move out of the area or are no longer able to -, there are people willing to pick up.”

Though there are plenty of volunteers, Talerico – who has been with the Area Agency on Aging since December 1980 and started out as In-Home Services Supervisor - said she is “always” recruiting volunteers for the APPRISE Health Insurance Counseling Program and the Ombudsman Program

“We’re, talking about, the site council - not only what the people here need, but what would people who don’t come be interested in to get more people to come, ”Talerico said. “I know they’re planning a ‘Bring a Friend Day’ because, once people see what they’re missing, they always come back.”

She said the Kittanning center has a lot of potential with a newly-refurbished pool table, computer lab and exercise room, among other activities.

Art Morrison has come to the local senior center for seven years, following the lead of his girlfriend, June Cravener – a 26-year participant.

Morrison – a former auctioneer - and Cravener are two of six local residents that have donated during the past few months to purchase the new pool table top.

Cravener, formerly of Spring Church, has won a cabinet full of medals at the Senior Games (started by neighbor Jo Ellen Bowman), and said the couple played regularly to purchase the $300 top.

“Every day we’d come in and shoot pool and we threw a dollar in the box every time,” the couple said. “We shoot five days a week.”

The pair estimated money collecting began before Christmas.

Bob Essenwein, who also donated regularly to the pool top, has volunteered for about seven months

Morrison and Cravener agreed that more activities would aid the Kittanning Senior Center and expand membership.

As well as being a day to recognize volunteers, Talerico and about two dozen other center participants recognized Center Manager Goldie Reeseman – who will be retiring effective tomorrow.

Reeseman – Center manager at Kittanning exclusively since 1999 - was presented a card with a gift of money included.

“Her heart and soul have always been in the Kittanning Senior Center,” Talerico said. “She just loves the people.”

June McElwain, of Ford City, started volunteering Christmas crafts with her late-husband, Harry, in 1996

“Goldie’s my best buddy – I think the world of Goldie,” McElwain said. “When no one else would help me, she would.”

Harry Wagle, of Leechburg, has worked maintenance at the Kittanning center for 15 years, and also complimented Reesman

“She’s quite a lady,” Wagle said.

The current Freeport Senior Center manager – Sheri Goldinger - will move to fill in at Kittanning effective Monday.

Sandra Fennell was recently presented with the Department of Aging’s BRAVO Client Service Award at the department’s APPRISE Annual Conference in State College.

Fennell was also praised for her unwavering professionalism and flexibility to rearrange personal appointments and even vacations to better serve clients. As an
Apprise Coordinator for Armstrong County Area Agency on Aging, its Fennell’s job to ensure that older Pennsylvanians and their caregivers understand their health insurance coverage options including Medicare, private insurance, veterans’ benefits, and more.

Under this year’s theme, “Diversity: Strength lies in differences, not in similarities,” five other APPRISE coordinators state-wide were recognized: Joanne McDermitt of Beaver County, Glenda Radical of Delaware County,
Sandra Darlington representing Columbia/Montour Counties, William McKendree of Allegheny County and Holly Irvine who provides leadership in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga Counties.

APPRISE is Pennsylvania’s State Health Insurance Program. It provides free health insurance counseling intended to help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries understand their insurance benefits and coverage.

APPRISE is a program that is available throughout all 67 counties of Pennsylvania, according to Acting Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne.

“The dedication and incredible efforts of our network of APPRISE volunteers and staff to provide free and unbiased health insurance counseling ensures that older
Pennsylvanians are empowered to make informed choices about their health insurance.”

The BRAVO Awards honor local APPRISE program local coordinators for their exceptional leadership in areas of client service, program performance, collaboration with community partners and innovation.

This July will mark the 50 anniversary of the creation of the national Medicare program.

Applications are already being accepted for next month’s Senior Games – held June 22-25 in various locations such as Community Park, King’s Lanes and the Kittanning Senior Center. Talerico said new senior citizens and reigning athletes – such as Cravener and Jack Nulph - have shown interest.

 

 

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