Senior Moments

Fantastic Volunteers Make Fan Drive a Success!

2011-06-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

Belinda Luna is a CSS volunteer that goes above and beyond. She not only drives Meals-on-Wheels routes for us, but was one of the first ones to volunteer for the Fan drive last weekend. She is always behind the scenes when we need help. She took 43 fans home after the Fan Drive so her and her family can put them together for our clients. She not only is putting them together but also storing them at her home for us. We appreciate all the hard work and the continued dedication from her and her family. It is great to have volunteers like them that make this program so successful, and pleasant to work with.

Welcome Amanda!

2011-06-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

Amanda Gunter joins the Foster Grandparent Program in June as the program director, replacing Hal Combs. The program is currently in need of about 10 or so new Foster Grandparents and I believe Amanda is perfectly suited for that challenge. Amanda brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the program and we are excited to have her.

Spotlight on Southeast Senior Center Member

2011-06-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

Arleena Johnson, a lifelong resident of the city, has been an active member at the Southeast Senior Center for 14 years. If you’ve ever been to the center, you’ve probably seen her. Arleena attends the center daily and has held several positions on the advisory board, including serving as president for 6 years.

Arleena is a genuine person with a good heart. If a member becomes ill, she personally delivers them a get-well card; if a member has a birthday, she decorates a table for them at lunch; if a member passes away, she sends the family a sympathy card. All these gestures are done with pure sincerity.

While at the Southeast Senior Center Arleena participates in ceramics and dominoes but she says what she enjoys most about the center is being in the presence of good company.” She encourages other members to participate in wellness and social activities offered. "the senior center is a great way to keep senior citizens in the community active and it gives them something to look forward to each day,” she said.

-DeAnna Bowers, SESC Director

RSVP 2011 Expo

2011-06-01T07:11:00.000-07:00

Have you or someone you know been searching for the right volunteer opportunity? There are needs for volunteers in Midland in every area from Habitat for Humanity, Meals-on-Wheels, Midland Memorial Hospital, Hospice and so much more! Midland Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) invites all current and potential volunteers to Expo 2011. The Expo will be held June 16th at First Baptist Church, 2104 W. Louisiana Ave in Midland from 9:30 – 11:30 am. in the Fellowship Hall. The Expo is a wonderful opportunity designed to recruit new volunteers, recognize existing volunteers and allow everyone to enjoy a morning of good food and fun! Jumburrito will provide the breakfast burritos, enjoy the passport game and win a door prizes.

Midland RSVP is a national volunteer program that targets mature adults providing them with the opportunity to enrich their lives through volunteer service. Mature adults 55 years and older are matched to the volunteer opportunity best suited to their own skills and interests. Service opportunities are available through over 89 non-profit agencies and organizations in Midland. "I enjoy volunteering at the Petroleum Museum," a long-time RSVP volunteer said, "It gives me something to look forward to each week."

For more information please call Saul or Jeannette at 689-6693 today!

Helen Chappell: Midland Senior Center Outstanding Member of the Quarter

2011-05-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Helen Chappell has been a member at the Midland Senior Center for four years. Helen was born and raised in Paris, Texas and married Marshall Chappell in 1945. Helen and Marshall moved to West Texas and worked on a farm for 25 years, and later moved to Midland when their children were teenagers. Helen and Marshall have three children, eight grandkids and three great grandkids! Helen and Marshall shared 60 years together!

Helen said she loves to come to the Midland Senior to play Chicken Foot, work on puzzles, play 42 and do ceramics! She said ceramics is her favorite part of the Center, and she loves all the members! Helen can be observed telling the members who sit across the table putting puzzles together that she loves them. “I’m not dead yet,” she said, “I plan to enjoy life.” On occasion Helen cooks and brings food to the center, and she always makes sure the staff gets some of her goodies. Linda Jackson, Midland Senior Center Director, said most of the members at the Midland Senior Center have been spoiled by Miss Helen.

“My all-time favorite meal is fried bologna, fried potatoes, cream gravy, red beans, cornbread, tomatoes, onion and coconut pie for dessert,” Helen said.

The Midland Senior Center is located in Kingsway Mall at 3303 W. Illinois. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Hot lunches served 11:40 a.m. For more information call 681-7636.

Handymen Helping the Homebound

2011-05-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

The fastest growing segment of our population is the group 85 years and older. Many of these people are low-income, frail and living alone. As they grow older they are in need of health and safety repairs and adaptations to their homes. Unfortunately, many do not have the financial resources to pay for these services. Once an elderly person becomes frail and disabled, they need changes made to their homes such as adding grab bars in the bathroom and building a wheelchair ramp to their front door. They may also need minor repairs to their homes to ensure their safety, including replacing doors, widening doorframes, and installing deadbolt locks.
The CSS Handyman Program helps seniors remain safe and secure in their own homes for as long as possible.In 2010, 99 projects were completed including installing grab-bars, building wheelchair ramps, repairing locks, etc… "I love my new wheelchair ramp," a client said, the gentleman was so nice too."

MOWs Volunteers with Texas-Size Hearts

2011-05-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

Volunteer driver Robert Ramirez has enthusiastically tackled, on a regular basis, two of our most difficult Meals-on-Wheels routes, out in Midland county. When he can, Robert drives four times per week. With one client, a Spanish-speaking man in his 90's, Robert frequently went above and beyond the normal obligations of our volunteers. In an energetic quest to bring some improvement into the client's life, Robert and our caseworkers got him extra blankets, extra food, bed pads and via our Handyman program, repairs to his storm door. One day earlier this year Robert found the client on the floor, covered in vomit and unresponsive. He called 911, then our office. When the client died about a month later, his daughter told us that every aspect of her dad's life during the previous year had been chaotic and uncertain. The man needed nursing home care but could not find an affordable situation. He needed Hospice care, but could not get enrolled. The only bright spot he had was the daily lunch and visits from volunteers, especially Robert and the caring of nutrition caseworker Judy Guzman. This is just another example of the frequently heard Meals-on-Wheels slogan, "To the world you may be just one person, but to one person, you might be the world."

-Bill Adams
Community and Senior Services

Marvelous Mable- Foster Granparent Program Volunteer

2011-04-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Foster Grandparent, Mable Smith is the 2011 recipient of the Annual “Humana Distinguished Volunteer Service Award.” Mable started in the program in July of 2003 at Bunche Early Childhood Center with Jena Prince and has volunteered all 8 years there with Ms. Prince .

Mable exemplifies in every way, the meaning of “Distinguished Volunteer.” She is respected by her teacher, children, parents, as well as her pears in the Foster Grandparent Program.

Senior Companion Spotlight

2011-04-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

Billie Mason joined the Senior Companion program in the second class of volunteers in January of 2004. Since then she was been a busy lady. At the end of 2007 she received the Lifetime Presidential Service Award for volunteering 4,000 hours in this program. But Billie did not stop just because she received a reward; she kept on working and now has more than 7,000 hours of service. Billie has 4 homebound elderly clients that she takes to run errands and to their doctor’s appointments, but most importantly she provides companionship. She takes a couple of clients to the Southeast Senior Center were they can enjoy a hot lunch and play Bingo together. “I wish I could clone her twice over,” Senior Companion Director Jannee Banner said.

Southeast Senior Ceter Celebrates 20 Years!

2011-03-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

For 20 years, members at the Southeast Senior Center have enjoyed coming to the Center to visit with their friends and make news ones! The special celebration was held March 25th and included a donated spaghetti dinner by Olive Garden and special guests including Councilwoman Vicky Haley, County Commissioner Luis Sanchez, Former Mayor Carroll Thomas and City of Midland Health & Senior Services Director Sal Garcia!
The Southeast Senior Center is opened Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00, and is located at 1801 E. Indiana near Washington Park. A hot, healthy lunch is served daily congregate style. Members also enjoy the health and wellness clinics, the computer lab, ceramics, exercise classes, scrapbooking classes and participating in billiards, cards and other table games. For more information call 685-7231.

7th Annual Senior Companion Program Recognition Banquet

2011-03-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

Seniors Helping Seniors is what makes Midland a great place to live!

On Friday March 25 Community and Senior Services’ Senior Companion Program recognized more then 40 dedicated volunteers. Senior Companions are active seniors that serve homebound seniors! Eight volunteers received the Presidential Lifetime Service Award for volunteering at least 4,000 hours to the program. Award winners received a letter signed by the president as well as a plaque and a pin.

The Senior Companion Program has been in Midland for eight years. The Senior Companion Program is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service and locally by Community and Senior Services.

2011-02-04T12:54:00.001-08:00

http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_cd56769b-8491-594c-9325-e7ab91b10431.html

2011-02-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

“Make It A Day On…..Not A Day Off”

2011-01-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

Midland Senior Corps/AmeriCorps Celebrate MLK National Day of Service

Senior Corps including CSS’ Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion and AmeriCorps lead more than 300 Midland residents in a community health fair January 17, 2011 at Greater Ideal Family Life Center to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy by working together to ensure seniors a healthy future. Mayor Wes Perry presented a proclamtion for the MLK National Day of Service. The local residents joined hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country in making the holiday a day on, not a day off by serving others with free health screenings, food and entertainment. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. National holiday. The Corporation for National and Community Service lead the annual MLK Day of Service, working with the King Center in Atlanta and thousands of nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, and schools and businesses nationwide.

Angels Among Us: 16th Annual RSVP Volunteer Recognition Luncheon

2010-12-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

Community and Senior Services's RSVP program held their 16th Annual Volunteer Recognition luncheon at the Midland Center December 16, 2010. Hundreds of volunteers were recognized for their dedication and service in 2010. The event featured a catered meal, entertainment and a simulated check presentation to City Councilman John James. Six RSVP volunteers were honored with Presidential Service Awards for having served over 4,000 hours of service during their lifetime. The "BIG CHECK" respresented $2,379,923.25 to the city for the 756 RSVP volunteers that contributed over 114,145 documented hours of community service! Long-time RSVP and Meals-on-Wheels Volunteer Jack Rice, was presented the Humana Lifetime Achievement Award.

2010-12-16T12:22:00.000-08:00

Santa's Little Helpers

2010-12-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

Santa's Little Helpers! The Meals-on-Wheels kitchen staff arrives bright and early Monday-Friday to prepare and package over 720 hot, healthy meals! They are very festive today in their cute Santa hats! Thanks gals for working hard to help feed our elderly in need EVERY WEEK DAY!

Carver Center Students Create Birthday Wishes for Meals-on-Wheels Clients

2010-11-23T14:57:00.000-08:00

More then 500 homebound seniors receive a hot meal Monday-Friday through the Meals-on-Wheels program, but this year they will receive a special treat when their birthdays come around! Carver Center houses the Gifted and Talented Services office of Midland Independent School District in addition to serving as the site for the implementation of the 4th - 6th grade GEM program. Community outreach is strongly encouraged at Carver Center. Since the beginning of the school year one the Designation Imagination service projects was to let the students use their creativity to develop birthday cards for the clients receiving Meals on Wheels. The students created over 500 unique cards with personalized birthday messages for the clients. Many of the students had delivered meals with their parents or grandparents and were excited about making the cards for people on their parent’s routes.

Destination Imagination provides educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Destination Imagination teaches students to be active in their communities at home as well as around the world.

Stonegate Super Stars

2010-09-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

Thank you Stonegate Fellowship for your servant hearts. Each Saturday in September a team of volunteers did yard work, painting, house repairs and much more for Meals on Wheels clients!

We are so thrilled with the support of Stonegate Fellowship Church .

Below is a link to the Stonegate Mission Page. There are two videos available to watch. They showed the last one two Sundays in a row for all 3 services. The first one posted is a wrap-up video of all the projects they did for us. They will bring a tear to your eye for sure! Enjoy watching when you get a moment!!!

http://stonegatefellowship.com/missions2.html

National Senior Corp Week

2010-09-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

CSS will held a press conference and reception today to kick-off National Senior Corp Week, “Making a Difference for Generations.” Mayor Wes Perry presented a proclamation on behalf of the City of Midland. CSS is proud to be one of the only programs in the state of TX that sponsors all three Senior Corp Programs: Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Foster Grandparent Program and the Senior Companion Program. On the National level, for more then four decades, the three Senior Corps programs—have engaged age 55-plus volunteers in service to meet critical needs. Last year, nearly 500,000 Senior Corps volunteers provided 98 million hours of service estimated to be worth more than $2 billion. The first ever Senior Corps Week – taking place Sept. 20-24, 2010 -- celebrates the extraordinary commitment and contribution made by Senior Corps volunteers and recognizes their critical impact on addressing tough challenges in our nation.

In Midland, TX alone more then 1,000 Senior Corp volunteers served more then 240,000 hours of service last year. Senior Corps members help students learn to read, mentor at-risk youth, provide health services, build homes for low-income families, and help nonprofits recruit more volunteers to better achieve their mission, just to name a few. Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) places more then 800 55 and older seniors in more then 85 volunteer stations in Midland. They do everything from driving Meals-on-Wheels, Working at Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at the hospital, museums, etc…There are more then 60 grandparents and 40 senior companions in Midland. These two programs benefit active, low-income seniors, at-risk children and homebound seniors. Foster Grandparents provide one-on-one tutoring, mentoring and serve as role models. A performance survey found that 81% of children served by Foster Grandparents demonstrated improvements in academic performance! Senior Companions enables frail and elderly adults to live independently in their own homes by transporting them to medical appointments, shopping for groceries, helping with bills and paperwork, and offering respite care.

Senior Corps Week recognizes that service by older Americans benefits everyone – volunteers, our communities, and our nation: it helps volunteers by keeping them active, healthy, and engaged; it helps our communities to have millions more skilled volunteers; and it helps our nation by saving taxpayer dollars and reducing healthcare costs and strengthening our democracy.

Community and Senior Services Needs Community Effort

2010-09-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

COUNTY ROUTE MEALS-ON-WHEELS DRIVERS NEEDED

Meals-on-Wheels needs you!

Do you have an hour to spare in your day?
The change of seasons and people’s calendars are creating an immediate need for the two county routes. Everyone is busy – but the meals don’t stop.

A hot, healthy meal is delivered to more then 450 homebound seniors each day. This program works ONLY because of our dedicated volunteers that drive one of the 35 routes. Meals-on-Wheels deliveries begin at 10:30am Monday through Friday.

Give a gift of your time to the homebound elderly of Midland. Carve out an hour or two of your normal schedule this Fall. We have great volunteers…we simply need more.

Contact Shanda Garner – 689-6693

Groceries for Seniors

2010-08-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

Each weekday, more then 450 hombeound seniors in need in our community receive a hot, healthy noon-time meal through the Meals-on-Wheels program. Many of our clients find a way to stretch that meal to last for supper. Its not surprising to find a freezer full of half eaten meals being "saved"for a time of crisis. One particular client shared with me that she always saves and freezes her veggies from her Meals-on-Wheels meal, and finds away to make a soup out of them when she has a "bare pantry." Recently our caseworkers distributed a survey to learn some of the major needs of our clients. Surprisingly, food was NUMBER ONE.

Next time your at the local supermarket, consider filling up a bag of groceries to help us supplement the food needs of our clients. Drop off the groceries anytime Mon-Fri between 8:00-5:00 3301 Sinclair. The following is a great list to go by!

Approximate Price Point $25.00

· Jar of Peanut Butter
· Individual servings of fruit cups
· 2 Cans of stew
· 1 Box of crackers
· 1 Box of cereal
· 2 Cans of corn
· 2 Cans of green beans
· 2 Cans of chicken
· Individual servings of tuna
· Instant oatmeal
· 1 Package of pudding cups
· Package of Cookies
· Individual servings of pasta i.e. ravioli, spaghetti Os, etc….

GO BE...

2010-08-12T12:44:00.001-07:00

THANK YOU STONEGATE FELLOWSHIP!!

For adopting Community and Senior Services for the month of September!

CSS Staff and Volunteers signing Stonegate Fellowship members up for volunteer jobs including driving Meals-on-Wheels routes, working in the Meals-on-Wheels kitchen, helping with yards and minior home improvment projects for the homebound, elderly in the community and volunteering at the Texas-Size Garage sale!

FOR SALE

2010-07-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

CSS has a 1991 Buick Lesabre for sale for $1,500! There has only been one owner! The car is in great shape with 109,670 miles. The sale of this car will benefit Measl-on-Wheels! Call Arleen Armstrong if you are interested 689-6693!

SENIOR COMPANIONS NEEDED

2010-07-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

CSS is currently in the process of recruiting Senior Companion Volunteers. The Senior Companion Program (SCP) provides opportunities for income eligible individuals aged 55+ to serve adults with special needs. These Senior Companions provide high quality and reliable personal support to homebound adults, primarily the frail, elderly experiencing difficulties with activities of daily living.
The intended number is 45 volunteers served by the Senior Companion Program. The Senior Companion program is a program that strives to improve the quality of life of two different beneficiaries: The Senior Companions themselves and the clients that they serve.
Active, healthy seniors have the opportunity to be contributing members of our community. As a result, their overall quality of life is better and their overall health is better. They also receive a tax free stipend that increases their income level anywhere from 20-50%. This enables the companions to become more financially independent and less reliant on community resources. The clients have the benefit of assistance with daily living activities, such as meal preparation, housekeeping and transportation. Another important part is the companionship. Without social interaction, many seniors can quickly become forgotten, isolated members of our society. If they do not have friends or family that can take them to their previous activities like church and other social groups that they once participated in, they are all too often forgotten. The Senior Companion Program helps keep homebound seniors connected to the community. We have several companions that take their clients with them to VAN or to the Midland Senior Center and the Southeast Senior Center that CSS manages. This is a great opportunity for both clients and companions to make new friends and participate in activities like table games, congregate meals and exercise classes.
If you know of someone interested in becoming a Senior Companion, call Jannee Banner, at 689-6693!

Permian Basin Area Foundation Grant Awards Reception

2010-07-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

CSS Administrative Vice President, Shane Stokes, thanks the Permian Basin Area Foundation at the Grant Reception held July 7th. CSS received a grant for the Handyman Program. The Handyman Program performed close to 100 projects last year, including installing grab bars in bathrooms, wheelchair ramps to front doors and a host of other minor – but very important safety repairs for the homebound seniors in our community.

2010 National Conference on Volunteering

2010-07-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

Retired Senior Volunteer Program Director Saul Herrera, Foster Grandparent Director Hal Combs and Senior Companion Director recently attended the 2010 National Conference on Volunteering and Service held in New York, NY. Senior Corp Directors said that had many opportunities to learn, connect, and shape the future of service and volunteering through a wide range of sessions, workshops, special events, service projects, panels, and special dialogues in New York City

http://www.volunteeringandservice.org

Help Seniors Beat the Heat

2010-07-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

CSS held our Annual Fan Drive at Lowes Home Improvment Center June 26, 2010. Thanks to Boy Scout Troop 270, RSVP volunteers and CSS Board Members who encouraged shoppers to "donate" or buy a fan at a reduced price for a Senior!

The Stonegate Fellowship Pursuit Group were so helpful in getting the fans loaded up!

"Tis a gift to be simple"

2010-07-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

Meals-on-Wheels Outreach Coordinator Bill Adams provided the following story. A perfect example of what we do!

One of our Meals-on-Wheels caseworkers recently enrolled a person whose main health problem, severe short-term memory loss, made cooking unsafe. The client said "I only have two friends, and every day I have to call one of them and be told what day of the week it is. I hate to invade their privacy for something so trivial to other people, but it is important to me to know. It makes me feel ashamed to be so limited in memory. I keep their numbers next to my night stand so I won't forget their names or how to reach them. It is embarrassing."

Our staffer suggested the client call the local time and temperature number instead, and wrote it down next to the names and numbers of her friends. The client dialed it and was absoultely delighted to find out the day, date, time, temperature and weather forecast just for listening for two minutes to a recorded voice whoes privacy was not an issue. The client thanked the worker and commented, "I would have never thought of this solution on my own. It makes me feel so much better."

Our clients have many complicated life issues which defy comprehensive and quick solutions, but when we really listen to what they say, once in awhile a simple suggestion can do enormous good.