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Gately Community Connections

   For Our Community of Caregivers

                                                                May 2012 

In This Issue
Click for a Cause! Help us Help Heroes in Transition
A Worthy Organization: Heroes in Transition
Memorial Hall Celebrates 100 Years!
Information Vital to Seniors
FAQ: What should I know about organ donation?
Milano Senior Cente - A Hub of Activity


 

Click For a Cause  

Help Us Raise Money for Heroes in Transition  

 

   This month we are donating $1 to Heroes in Transition for each visitor to the Gately Funeral Home website from May 20th through May 31st.   

 

    All you need to do is click here and you will go directly to our website. Check out the Preplanning section or visit the AfterCare section for Questions and Answers on recovering from grief.

 

     Either way, we'll donate $1 for each and every visitor to our website from May 20th through May 31st.

 

    

Gately Montage 2012 resized   



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Heroes in Transition - A Worthy Organization That Deserves Your Support  

 

      Providing assistance for veterans in need, Heroes in Transition recognizes those who have served and those in active duty, especially those involved in the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom conflicts. Heroes in Transition provides assistance not readily available from other organizations, to those with special needs in four key areas:

 

1)    Home modifications for disabled veterans

2)    Transitional support group therapy

3)    Financial support for service families

4)    Assistance dogs through Canines for Combat Veterans  

 

     NEADS logo   

       The  National Education for Assistance Dog Services  (NEADS) provides Canines for Combat Veterans. Dogs are trained to help with the transition to prosthetics and aid with balance when walking. They can retrieve and carry objects and press buttons, open doors, and turn lights on and off. They provide support on ramps and stairs and assist with tasks for veterans in a wheelchair. In addition, they can respond to sounds for veterans who have hearing loss. Most importantly, they offer valuable social interaction for heroes in transition.

   

        Heroes in Transition is a nonprofit 501 3C charity that was established to honor the memory of fallen Marine Aviator, Capt. Eric Jones. Capt. Jones was born and raised in New York and attended Northeastern University in Boston. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. He served in Iraqi and Afghanistan flying combat missions. He earned many personal decorations, including the Air Medal with gold numeral one, 6 Strike/Flight awards, Combat Distinguishing Device, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal with two gold stars. Captain Eric A. Jones was killed in a helicopter collision during a combat mission in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on October 26, 2009.

 

          John Gately said, "Heroes in Transition is such a worthy organization. We are proud to support them and encourage everyone to visit their website, learn more, and assist them in any way they can."  

 

          The organization founded in Capt. Jones' memory seeks to fill in where other agencies, local, state, or federal, have fallen short of providing for veterans. Heroes in Transition aids veterans directly as well as the families they leave behind while they are on active duty. Visit the Heroes in Transition website to learn more about this worthy organization and how you can help.  

 

 

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   Memorial Hall Bldg

 The Soldiers & Sailors
Memorial Building
Celebrates 100 Years

 



   

        Dedicated on December 14, 1912, in remembrance of the soldiers and sailors of the Civil War, Memorial Hall in Melrose celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year.  

 

        The Mission of the Soldiers' & Sailors' Memorial Building is to provide a commemorative monument to the patriotism of service men and women from Melrose who died for their country. It is a cultural center for the community, hosting events throughout the year. It features a seating capacity of 800 in the main auditorium, which has a 30' x 40' stage and a grand organ which was dedicated in 1919 as a memorial to the veterans of World War I.

 

       The gray granite building, at 590 Main Street, is one of the most distinctive performance centers on the North Shore. The Grand Army of the Republic Hall (GAR) is located upstairs and has a capacity of 60 to 100. It boasts a full commercial kitchen facility.

 

       Memorial Hall is home to The Melrose Veterans Group and the Melrose Symphony Orchestra and many other community groups use the building for annual events and fund-raisers. On May 19th, the 100th Anniversary Gala was held at Memorial Hall, and featured the 18-piece band, Dan Gabel & The Abletones, dancing, and hors d'ouevres.

            

     Memorial Hall is handicap accessible and there is free parking available in the lot and on the street. Whether for a musical performance, theater group, business meeting, dance recital, concert, trade show, fundraiser, or wedding, Memorial Hall is available for rental. Call Kathy Pigott-Brodeur at 781-979-4185 for information.

 

         

 

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Senior Seminar
Planning Seminar at
Milano Family Senior Center
student         

 

       Information vital to seniors and their families will be presented on Tuesday, June 5th at 2 pm at the Milano Family Senior Center in Melrose at 201 West Foster Street. Sponsored by Gately Funeral Home, Martina M. Kirby, Esq. and John Gately will speak about key issues, including estate planning, asset protection, preplanning for funerals, and options concerning cremation.   Anyone interested in learning about these essential elder care concerns is invited to attend this free seminar.

 

       Martina Kirby, Esq. with the Waystck & Kirby Law Offices in Melrose, will discuss financial and legal strategies and requirements for effective estate planning and asset protection, including accessing Medicaid and Veterans' Funding benefits.

           

      John Gately will talk about pre-planning funerals, which can be an important part of estate planning.  He says, "Getting started may be difficult because we are all procrastinators. But when the advance plan is done, people tell me they are thrilled ... it gives them a feeling of freedom. Later, when death occurs, the emphasis shifts from making arrangements to focusing on the person and the memorable experience the family can create to celebrate their loved one's life."

 

       John Gately will also speak about the choices available today regarding cremation. "One of the important things to remember is that choosing cremation does not limit your ceremonial choices in any way. You can still memorialize your loved one in a manner that is personal and meaningful to you. This seminar is an opportunity to explore options in a comfortable setting. You will be able to relax with your neighbors, enjoy a cup of coffee and ask questions."     

 

     Reservations to attend this free seminar can be made by calling Gately Funeral Home at 781-665-1949.

 

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student         

Frequently Asked Questions   

"What should I know about becoming an organ donor?"


 

       Any individual can decide to become an organ donor - those under the age of 18 need parental consent, however. Medical suitability for organ donation is determined at the time of death.

 

      According to the National Network of Organ Donors, a single donor can potentially save eight lives ... eight people who will get a second chance, because someone made the selfless decision to be a donor. By joining the National Network of Organ Donors you are a part of a national registry that works to remove the barriers, both legal and emotional, that can prevent life-saving transplants from taking place.

 

      Organ donation does not disfigure the body and will not interfere with having an open casket service. Surgical techniques are used to retrieve organs and tissues, and all incisions are closed. There are no costs associated with organ donation. Your family pays for your medical care and funeral costs, but not for organ donation. Costs are paid by the recipient, usually through insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.  

 

      When you sign a donor card or indicate your donation preferences on your driver's license, you help to ensure that your wishes are carried out. However, it is essential that your family also know your wishes regarding organ donation as they may be asked to sign a consent form in order for your donation to occur. If they say no, the hospital may refuse to accept your organs.

 

        Patients are matched to organs based on a number of factors including blood and tissue typing, medical need, time on the waiting list, and geographical location. The number of people requiring a life-saving transplant continues to rise faster than the number of available donor organs. Approximately 300 new transplant candidates are added to the waiting list each month, representing both genders and every race and age group. If you want to know more, visit
The National Network of Organ Donors
.   Information about the transplant waiting list is available through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. 
 

 

   

 

 



Health Fair
Milano Senior Center
A Hub of Activitiy

 

 

     Executive Director of the Council on Aging, Dawn Folopoulos travels over an hour to commute to the Milano Senior Center in Melrose from her home in New Hampshire. "I pass the time listening to audio books - bestsellers, especially ones by one of my favorite authors, Toni Morrison," she explains. "Melrose is a terrific community to work in. The people are friendly and down to earth. The city really cares about its seniors. I can see that in the beauty of the Senior Center and the resources that it provides. It really shows," she added.

 

     Dawn oversees a staff of eleven part-time workers at the Council on Aging. They plan programs and activities that have a singular goal - to bring people together. She credits Senior Center Coordinator, Georgie Lewis, with the successful activities plan. "She is fabulous in every way! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful staff," she said.

 

      "For seniors, isolation breeds depression and worse," said Dawn. "At
the Senior Center, weBeach Party have something for everyone. Some people come to a program and stay for lunch. Most spend about one to three hours here." Events include parties, special luncheons, entertainment, and educational seminars. Then there are the "everyday" activities like exercise classes, Zumba, art, current events - "We love to have parties, like our luau planned for July. It's good to give people an opportunity to act silly," said Dawn. "The place is hoppin'."

 

     The activities are open to any senior from any community. Actually, anyone - of any age - can participate. You don't have to be a senior! There is no charge to attend, although the Zoomba and exercise classes have a nominal fee (not more than $5). Most activities are free.

 

     Art Class 

      Anyone who is interested can get an email notice of when the new events are posted on the website. Printed newsletters are available at the post office, library, supermarkets, city hall, and senior housing in Melrose. "In April we had more than 2600 participants attend various activities at the Senior Center - some, of course, came to more than one event. We are always looking to introduce new seniors to our facility," said Dawn.

 

     Prior to coming to the Milano Senior Center one year ago on April 2nd, for six years Dawn worked in Reading as Director of Elder and Human Services. She is very pleased with a relatively new concept called The Friendly Visitor Program where a senior and a volunteer are matched for visits with the Senior in his or her home. "Even those who live with relatives can be lonely, especially during the day. A one to two hour visit breaks up isolation and gives a senior a special friend," she said. Dawn explained, "Another goal of the Council on Aging is to help people age in place - so they can stay in their own homes as long as possible. The Friendly Visitor Program is one way to help us meet this goal."

 

 

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l

 Coming Events at the Milano Senior Center

June 14th

Entertainment by Jim Porcella,  singing big band tunes; sponsored by Home Instead Senior Health.

June 5th    

"Planning Seminar" with Elder Law Attorney Martina M. Kirby, Esq. and John Gately, owner and funeral director at Gately Funeral Home.

 
 

June 19th  

"Empowering Seniors," seminar sponsored by MA Senior Medicare Patrol

 

June 28th  

"The Health Benefits of Laughter," sponsored by Hallmark VNA and Hospice.

 

Watch for details about the Hawaiian Luau Party in July!

 

 

 
   


Community Reading Day

 
     Every March, the City of Melrose celebrates Dr. Seuss's Birthday in conjunction with their Community Reading Day. This year, John Gately read "What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?" to the second grade class of Mrs. Jeanne Orlofsky.

     The book features many careers, including that of a friendly mortician. John Gately explained, "I love reading to the children. I always ask them to guess what I do for work. It is fun to hear their answers! Many of my fellow Rotarians participate and the event was very well attended."



Since 1889 the firm of Gately Funeral Home has been dedicated to providing the people of Melrose and surrounding communities funeral services unsurpassed in quality and caring. We thank you for your continuing support.  It is our honor to assist your families in times of need.
Let the healing begin with us. 

Contact Info
For more information about the articles in this issue of Gately Community Connections or to contribute to a future issue, contact John Gately at [email protected].  Gately Funeral Home is located at 79 West Foster Street, Melrose MA 02176.