Athens Community Council on Aging

The Senior Companions at Winding Hollow in Winder, GA and their clients are our final Outstanding Volunteers to celebrate Senior Corps Week!!  These women are lively, active, and fun – serving 20-30 hours each week with other older adults in the building and in the community at large. They discussed their day-to-day activities such as eating lunch together, driving to doctor’s appointments, going to the movies, playing bingo, running errands, and there is certainly no shortage of laughter and the simple joy of companionship. It is apparent in everyone’s bright smiles as we sit around the table and discuss the program. “Ellen [the coordinator] asked if I wanted to be a Senior Companion and I said no, I was just too busy. That same week, I was visiting my mother when someone knocked on the door. I told my mom she had a visitor and as the person walked in, her face just lit up like a Christmas tree,” Estelle Ferguson, Senior Companion, recalls. “I got back to Winding Hollow that same day, found Ellen, and said, ‘Sign me up!’ If I can give someone the same joy that that visitor gave my mom, then this is all worth it.” The impact of the Senior Companion’s service is apparent through their client’s stories. One woman spoke of her battle with cancer and the patience and kindness of her Senior Companion, who drives her to her treatments and helps her with everyday tasks that she is often too tired or weak to do herself. Another client said of her companion, “She helps me do things I can’t do. I needed help from somewhere. I have a peace of mind now, and I am so thankful!” “I think it’s a great program,” says Estelle of the Senior Companion Program. “I’ve talked to people that see no sense in paying a volunteer. But if you met my two clients, you’d understand the impact it makes. The impact can’t always even be measured – just like the smile on my mother’s face.” Having personally seen the smile on her own client’s face, I have to agree.

Submitted by: Elise North, Program Director for Senior Corps
Outstanding Volunteers: Estelle Ferguson, Judy Finley, Dorothy Jones, Joan Leon, Farrell Nash, Shirley Thompson, and Dolores Waller
Program: Winding Hollow in Winder, GA

Mrs. Brown works one on one with academically struggling students.  She also reads with a student twice a week for 30 minutes.  At the beginning of the school year, this particular student was a behavior problem.  After working with Mrs. Brown throughout the school year, the student is calmer, has a better attitude toward school and others, and her school work has improved.  Mrs. Brown helps me in the classroom each day.  She is such a positive role model for my young students, and she is so kind and compassionate towards each and every one.  I am nominating her for this award because of the dedication and hard work she has provided to me and my students all year.  I was out for two months due to maternity leave, and she really stepped up and helped my long term sub with all things related to the academics and behavior with the class.  She was an asset to not only my classroom, but to our school.

Submitted by: Wendy Greer, 1st Grade Teacher 
Outstanding Volunteer: Dorothy Brown
Program: Foster Grandparent at Fowler Drive Elementary School

Ms. Love has been a valuable asset to our classroom.  She has evolved into so much more than a volunteer!  She goes beyond that with the love and how interactive she is with the children. She reads, plays, talks, and laughs with them. We call her “Grandma Love.”  She has been an encourager for me! There are days when I get a “little” stressed and she will simply say, “You handled that so well.” Those few words mean so much coming from her.  I have so much respect for her. My co-teacher left during the year to pursue another job and Ms. Love has been there to support me in the classroom.  She is aware of our daily schedule and just jumps in to help where she can. She brings love, patience and consistency into the classroom. She comes in with a smile and the children are so happy to see her (and so am I). She is very courteous and kind to our teen mothers.  Thank you so much to Senior Service Corps for sharing her with us!  She is truly an inspiration and a valuable asset to your program and ours. We already want her in our classroom next year!

Submitted by: Sonia Holloman, Child Development Specialist
Outstanding Volunteer: Maxine Love
Program: Foster Grandparent at Early Head Start in Clarke County

Courtesy David Manning, Athens Banner-Herald

In addition to the duties provided by our foster grandparents, Mrs. Deadwyler (or Mrs. D as the kids call her) goes above and beyond the service she provides to children in her classroom. On any given day, Mrs. D can be seen assisting students, taking interest in their hobbies, struggles and lives. It is not unusual for Mrs. D to be seen on an evening or weekend at a student’s event to show her support. Not only is Mrs. D committed during the course of her work with the foster grandparent program, she is invested in her community and goes well above the call of duty to show children and families that community is a top priority for her.

Submitted by: Scott Emard, School Counselor, JJ Harris Elementary  
Outstanding Volunteer: Marion Deadwyler
Program: Foster Grandparent at JJ Harris Elementary

Howard is what I would consider an “all-star” volunteer. Howard has been a volunteer for Winder HDM since July of 2009 and has been an excellent addition to this program. Howard is the kind of person that can make you smile just by spending a few minutes with him. Howard is always eager to lend a helping hand and go the extra mile; He drives a once a week or more and fills in for volunteers when they have to be out. There have been many days where he has driven more than one route and he is trained and can drive any of the four routes. If ever a route is out, Winder HDM can always count on Howard. Not only does Howard deliver with a smile and exceptionally upbeat attitude, but he genuinely cares about the clients he serves. Howard not only has a heart for seniors as he also volunteers for the YMCA several days week driving a bus full of kids before he stops by the Winder Adult Day Health center to deliver Meals on Wheels. His truck, who he has nicknamed GT (green truck) is also always full of other seniors in Barrow County who he helps transport to doctor appointments, grocery stores and pharmacies. Howard shows great concern for the people on each route by leaving detailed reports on each client when he returns from the route. The client’s safety and well-being are of upmost importance to him. In 2011, Howard drove an outstanding amount of miles. He drove over 5,000 miles while delivering meals to the people of Barrow County, which accounts for roughly 300 hours of his time over the course of the year. Howard is a wonderful person to know and Winder HDM is so grateful to have a volunteer like him!

Submitted by: Mary Beth Toles, HDM Program Specialist, ACCA   
Outstanding Volunteer: Howard Benson
Program: Meals on Wheels Volunteer

ACCA is excited to announce Toni Edwards as the agency’s new Chief Financial Officer.  Toni comes to ACCA with a wealth of financial knowledge and background.  She has her Certified Public Accountant Licensure in both Georgia and Louisiana. Prior to joining the ACCA, she was an Accounting Supervisor for a Fortune 500 telecommunications company in Louisiana and most recently, was the Accounting Manager for a local non-profit critical care access hospital. Toni and her husband Matt live in Oconee County and stay busy with their two children Cole, age 14 and Alana, age 11.  In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis and scrapbooking.  Welcome to ACCA!!

Did you know that many eligible low-income older adults are not receiving food stamps?  Did you know that receiving food stamps can help older adults eat better, prevent and manage chronic diseases, and promote healthy aging?

Now, you can do your part to help!   Athens CAFÉ is looking for volunteer food stamp advocates.  Training dates will take place at UGA’s Center for Teaching and Learning on:

• Friday, May 4 from 1-4 pm
• Wednesday, May 9 from 1-4 pm
• Wednesday, May 16 from 1-4 pm

After attending the training sessions, you will be able to help older adults in your community apply for and receive food stamp benefits.

To sign up to participate in this program, please call or email Lauren Badger (706-583-0116, lbadger@uga.edu).

Local Athenian, Warren Flick and his son Andrew started a blog in December 2011 about life after retirement.  In Warren’s words ” We started this venture because we both like to write. I wrote articles and other pieces as part of my career as a forestry professor, and now, after having been retired since 2002, decided to return in a dedicated way to writing about new topics. We picked retirement because that is my recent experience. Andrew does some writing, and he also helps with Internet and social media applications. “  They have covered some great topics!  Check it out at Later Living: discovering and owning retirement. 

Marie Norris was crowned as the second Ms. Senior Athens yesterday at the Athens Country Club.  Huda Lillard won the first ever, People’s Choice Award and Bessie Freeman was 1st Runner Up and Anne Cook was 2nd Runner Up.

With over 250 guests in attendance, the signature fundraiser for ACCA was a huge success.  Chuck Dowdle and Liz Dalton hosts the afternoon affair with entertainment from the Dazzlin’ Dames and Miss UGA, Shelby McLeod.  Thanks to all of the sponsors again, thanks to all of those that showed support by attending, and thanks to all of the volunteers who helped make the day run smoothly.

Congratulations to Marie and all of the contestants who are great examples of living and aging well!!!

The People’s Choice Award was developed for the community, family, and friends to show support for a specific contestant and support for the fundraiser for ACCA. Each contestant can have donations made in their honor. The contestant with the most money raised for the fundraiser will be the 2012 People’s Choice winner.

CLICK HERE TO THE SEE THE 2012 CONTESTANTS AND VOTE!!!!