SSC News

Farm Market Fresh for Seniors

The Farm Market Fresh for Seniors program will be held in the SAW Region again this year. This program gives eligible older adults $40 in coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs at the Staunton, Verona, and Waynesboro Farmer’s Markets this summer. In addition to supporting senior nutrition, the program also supports local farmers and farmers’ markets.

The coupon books will be distributed at enrollment sessions at Staunton Senior Center on Thurs., June 27, 10:00am – 2:00pm and at Waynesboro Senior Center on Fri., June 28, 10:00am- 2:00pm. The coupons are valid from July 1 – Nov 16, 2013.

To qualify for the program, individuals must be 60 years of age or older, live in Staunton, Augusta County, or Waynesboro, have a monthly income of no more than $1,436 (single) or $1,939 (couple), have transportation to one of the Farmer’s Markets, and be present to pick up the coupons. Individuals cannot be an immediate family member or live with a participating farm market vendor. Only one coupon book per eligible senior or two coupon books per eligible couple per Market Season will be permitted.

VPAS Outreach Coordinator, Debbie Branham will also be at the enrollment sessions to conduct eligibility pre-screening for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) formerly known as Food Stamps for persons who are interested in extra help with groceries throughout the entire year.




Staunton Senior Center Members Recognized

90s plus celebration 5Staunton Senior Center members show off their certificates of recognition Tuesday, May 14. These five and four others were recognized for reaching age 90 or greater as part of SSC’s celebration of Older Americans Month (May). They are (from left): Warren Olson, Dot Harvey, Ernest Boone, Ethel Clifton, and Laura Luziach. Not pictured are: Daisy Curry, Martha Deavers, Paul Thacker, and Sarah Willauer.




Staunton Senior Center Announced Quilt Raffle Winner

Staunton Senior Center member Grace McGovern won a quilted wall hanging during the SSC Open House. The raffle and Open House were part of SSC’s celebration of Older American’s Month. The week of special events concluded with the Senior Ms. Virginia pageant in the Ntelos Theater of Gypsy Hill Place on May 17.




Staunton Senior Center Local Council Met

Staunton Senior Center met May 16 to discuss a variety of subjects.

Center Director Lynn Harris reported the funds earned at the Country Store and the quilt raffle – a total of $287 will go toward supplementing a big trip in the summer and/or fall; let council members know about the upcoming CDSME leader training; and reported on membership data – the number of unduplicated clients is 22 percent higher in the first seven months of FY 2013 over 2012.

Chairman Michael Thompson told members about the upcoming elder abuse awareness event in June. Council members were asked to take part as volunteers to distribute purple ribbons to local businesses, doctors’ offices, etc. for theJune 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Harris also spoke briefly about the recent visit to MRSC and encouraged local council members to take part in the “I believe older adults …” project. Based on a video available on Youtube, SSC will create a video with staff and local council members who complete the sentence “I believe older adults …”

Eventually, this may be included in a Center video.

The next local council meeting will be June 19, 2013.




Staunton Senior Center Working To Increase Awareness of Elder Abuse

Staunton Senior Center and the Greater Augusta Coalition Against Adult Abuse are working to increase awareness of elder abuse in our area.

With an increased awareness, we hope to prevent the problem, or prosecute the abuser. Saturday, June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. SSC & GACAAA are seeking volunteers to distribute ribbons in recognition of the day. On Tuesday, June 11, the groups will host a kickoff where volunteers will be assigned a minimum of five locations; and will ask store/office/business managers to have staff wear the ribbons throughout the week, but especially on Saturday, June 15.

Distribution is at the volunteer’s convenience throughout the week, but we ask that all ribbons be distributed by Saturday morning at the latest.

If you and/or someone you know are willing to take part in this special service for vulnerable older adults, please call Lynn Harris at 540-886-4634.




Older Americans Month Observed at Staunton Senior Center

Every day next week will hold a special event at Staunton Senior Center in observance of Older Americans Month in May.

On Monday, May 13 the Program Director will read a short story at 12:15 p.m. honoring seniors, and on Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. there will be a ceremony to recognize members who are ninety years old or more (there are nine who hold that title!). Wednesday will offer a new challenge for the brain with “Crosswords” at 11:00 a.m., a giant crossword puzzle making its debut at SSC.

On Thursday, May 16, SSC opens its doors to the public as well as its members with an Open House from noon until 2:00 p.m., an especially busy day since it is Red Hat Day and May birthday celebration as well. So wear your red, purple or pink, and come on out to enjoy refreshments and the music of Quail Hill Quartet. Friday rounds out the week with a visit from the Blue Ridge Bells at 10:30 a.m. and a trip upstairs to the nTelos Theatre for the Ms. Virginia Senior America Pageant at 1:00 pm. Stop by the Center next week as we celebrate the seniors in our area.




CDSMP Leader Training Rescheduled

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) Leader Training that was scheduled to begin May 9 in Waynesboro has been rescheduled for May 22, 23, 29, 30 2013 from 9:00am until 4:30pm. To get more information or register for Leader Training please call Joyce Nussbaum at 540-820-8567 or email joyce@vpas.info.





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