Recognizing those who make contributions to older adults

Society of Honors Nominees and Winners, front row, l. to r.,Anna Marie McGrath, S. P. Wright, Mary Halfacre, Richard Orwig, and Miriam Fife. Back row, l. to r., John J. Kolodziejski, Ed Novak, Trish Currie (standing in for Al Bahl), Lois Cade, Mary Theis, Gus Polychronis, (stand-in for Louise Lekfort), Hubert L. Evans, Rev. Dr. John F. Newby, Jr., Andrea Taylor, and Bryan Borowski.

The fourth annual S.C.O.P.E., Inc. “Society of Honors” luncheon was be held on September 16, 2008, 12:00 p.m. at the Trumbull County Country Club in Warren. The Society of Honors acknowledges those individuals who are advocates for older adults in Trumbull County. The Society of Honors Award Recipients are: Miriam Fife, Social Services; Ed Novak, Gardening; Gus  Polychronis, Housing; Louise Lefkort, Community; S.P. Wright, Education; Mary Halfacre, Healthcare; Anna McGrath, Military; Hubert L. Evans, Music; Rev. Dr. John F. Newby Jr., Religion; and Richard Orwig, Government.

The Dorothy S. Klein Award, presented in memory of Mrs. Klein who was one of the founders of S.C.O.P.E., Inc. of Trumbull County was given to Al R. Bahl.

Juanita James, Warren S.C.O.P.E. Senior Center Manager, presented Jenna Hart, an intern at S.C.O.P.E. and a student from Akron State University studying gerontology, the S.C.O.P.E Gerontology Scholarship.

In 2007, S.C.O.P.E. provided nearly 90,000 units of service, throughout the S.C.O.P.E. programs of Senior Centers and Home Care, including heavy cleaning, house cleaning, and personal care, such as bathing, laundry etc. In addition, the six senior centers provided about 130 different activities.

Contract limitations, defining which activities fit in which categories, have caused even more checking and discussions of what fits where and when.

Since S.C.O.P.E. functions under several different funding streams, it is important that each funder whether state, county, private, or federal knows what is paid and how we are working. S.C.O.P.E. must put our different grants into “matches”, so we can provide the most service for each dollar.

When you speak of dotting “I’s” and crossing “T’s”, you must realize that for every one of the 90,000 units, requirements include documentation, signatures of workers, and hours spent on thousands of 81/2 by 11 papers. Unintentional and infrequent glitches may occur.

Across this county, chore workers have mowed hundreds of lawns, carrying mowers in an out-of-date van and traveling on routes designed to save gas and manpower. For each lawn, regardless of size we are paid a fixed rate per hour, regardless of the crew size.

We have cleaned thousands of times for those who are too frail or unable to do it for themselves, and given baths, and helped those with infirmities to stay at home instead of living in nursing home settings.

In fact, S.C.O.P.E. responded to 30 percent more requests from those who need help than we ever billed. Unfortunately, the money was limited so we could not bill more than the amount allotted.

In senior centers, only certain classes and events can be billed, so the senior centers must work hard to provide enough of the billable units. Taxpayers are getting a full measure for the dollars expended by S.C.O.P.E.

We appreciate your understanding and we look forward to continuing to serve you.

Flu shots will be administered at the Niles S.C.O.P.E. Senior Center by appointment only Friday, October 17th and Friday, October 24th from 1:00-3:00 pm. Call 330-544-3676.

S.C.O.P.E., Inc. of Trumbull County will honor all volunteers, Tuesday, October 14 at the Warren S.C.O.P.E. Senior Center. Please RSVP by Friday, October 10, 2008 by calling 330-399-8846.

Monday, October 13th - Columbus Day

Tues., Nov. 11th - Veterans Day

Thurs., Nov. 27th and Fri., Nov. 28th - Thanksgiving

Thurs., Dec. 25th, & Fri., Dec. 26th-Christmas

Wed., December 31st, - Thurs., Jan. 1st

New Years Eve & New Years Day