New Logo 2013 

 

Newsletter

Fall 2013
  
  
In This Issue
GALA Save The Date
How You Can Help
Volunteer Luncheon
Meals on Wheels for PETS
Farmers Market 2013
Volunteer Leadership Committee
Resource Center
The Mystery of Medicare and Medicaid
Aging Services Network

Serving North Fulton 

 

 Senior Centers 

Meals on Wheels

In-Home Services

Transportation

 

Senior Center Locations

 

Crabapple Center

12624 Broadwell Road

Alpharetta 30004

770.751.9397

 

Milton Center

Community of Christ Church
3315 Francis Road
Milton, GA 30004

470.554.0758

 

Roswell Center

1250 Warsaw Road

Roswell 30076

770.640.1583

 

Sandy Springs Center

6500 Vernon Woods Dr.

Dorothy Benson Multipurpose Center, Bldg. C

Sandy Springs 30328

404.612.2345  

Quick Links
 
  
  
  
  
  

 

GALA
Save The Date  
    

Saturday February 8th

Atlanta Athletic Club

 

As you know, once a year Senior Services North Fulton reaches out to the community for support through our annual fundraiser. We hope you will join us for this year's gala, Open Hearts for Seniors. Our event is Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek. So many of you joined us at our event last year when we raised over $75,000 for our programs and services. We hope we can count on your support again this year.

 

Consider

Becoming a Sponsor 

for Open Hearts for Seniors. We have a wonderful evening planned, including fine dining, dancing, and silent and live auctions - all in support of the older adults in our community. It will be both a memorable and meaningful Valentine's Day celebration.

 

CURRENT GALA 2014 SPONSORS

 

Arbor Terrace Assisted Living

Cambridge Health

CaraVita Home Care

Chambrel Roswell

Compassion Home Care

Elmcroft Senior Living

Humana

Hurley Elder Care Law

Morris, Manning and Martin

North Fulton Hospital

Northside Hospital

Piedmont WellStar Healthplans

QuestCare Systems

J. Michael Webber, Inc.

 

How You Can Help

 

 

The seniors at our Milton Senior Center are in need of donated horseshoes. They have been creating theme keepsakes from donated horseshoes, but their supply is quickly running out. The sale of their finished keepsakes help fund their senior exercise program. If you or someone you know have any horseshoes to donate, please stop by the Milton Senior Center at 3315 Francis
Road (Community of Christ Church), or call Center Manager Melinda Ross, at 470-554-0758.

 

TOPS

Transportation

 

We provide transportation

services to qualifying seniors for medical appointments. For elderly seniors and those with significant vision or other physical limitations, the service can include a 1-on-1 service feature, whereby the senior is not only transported to the appointment, but has someone stay with them to assist with note taking and paperwork. 

 

Call our TOPS (Transportation Options Program for Seniors)  Program Manager

for details.  

770.993.1906 Ext. 234  

GATE

Non-Medical Transportation

 

We now offer non-medical transportation through our  grant funded GATE (Getting Around Town Easily) voucher program. The program allows north Fulton seniors to purchase vouchers that can be used for a driver of their choice.  

 

For more information, contact Candace K., Mobility Manager, at 770-993-1906 ext. 242.

 

A Special Thank You

for Your Support

  

City of Roswell

 

Kimberly-Clark

 

QuikTrip

 

Roswell Woman's Club

 

Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation

 

 
 
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

 

- Albert Camus

Our Mission

 

WE CARE about older adults, their quality of life, independence and continuing potential

 

WE BUILD programs, services and relationships to meet the needs of this growing population

 

WE SERVE the community by empowering seniors, assisting families and enhancing lives.

Our Staff 
Carrie Bellware, Jill Baker,
Dawn Cunningham, Colleen Davis, Candace Dubrof, Sandra Hanson, Ron Harlow, Andrea Jackson, Susan Jones, Candace Kortovich, Willi McDowell, Donna McKinney, Amy Miller, Pat Miller, Tanya Morris, Norma Roberts, Melinda Ross, Heidi Sowder, Deena Takata, Kenya Thorne, Natalie Wilder, Michelle Williams

Make a Donation In Honor Of or In Memory Of Someone Special

 

Your gift will enable us to provide much needed support for our clients.

Gifts can be made to honor or remember a friend or family member. 

They can also recognize a birthday, an anniversary, retirement or other special occasion.

 

You can make a gift online at www.ssnorthfulton.org or by mailing your donation to Senior Services North Fulton, 3060 Royal Blvd. South, Ste. 130, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Your support goes a long way helping older adults remain independent.

 
 

 

 

 

Combined Federal Campaign

  

Federal employees can support Senior Services North Fulton, CFC #30561, in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The CFC is the largest annual workplace campaign, raising millions of dollars each year for thousands of non-profits who help so many people in need of assistance. The CFC is a wonderful way for federal workers to support older adults and their families who need Meals on Wheels, transportation, or supportive in-home services such as personal care assistance, homemaker services and respite. All CFC contributions are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support.
  
  

Fall is finally here and how beautiful it is!

 

Our annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon was held this past Saturday and it was a magnificent day - and a wonderful event. One of my favorite quotes about volunteer service is: "Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in." We are fortunate to live in a community served by so many dedicated Senior Services North Fulton volunteers. They care passionately about our clients and our organization and we could not do all that we do without their compassionate service.

 

They care, and we know you do too.

 

Looking ahead, we are busy planning for our annual fundraiser. Open Hearts for Seniors will be held Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Atlanta Athletic Club. I hope you will join us for this Valentine's Day celebration in support of those most in need in our community. Details to follow.

 

Sincerely,

 

   

Carrie Bellware

Executive Director

Volunteer Luncheon - A Beautiful Day
 
Over 80 volunteers attended our annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday, September 28th, at Atlantic Seafood Company. The weather was perfect, the atmosphere welcoming and the collective spirit of caring clearly evident.

   

The delicious buffet lunch was generously

donated by Atlantic Seafood and arranged by volunteer Grey Maples. (Pictured left to right, General Manager Nick Carpenter, Volunteer Grey Maples & Private Events Coordinator Jonathan Pines).

  

Volunteers also enjoyed an entertaining Agency Team Trivia  game and were treated to heartfelt and delightful comments by our speaker, agency client Donald Stewart. You may know Don from his years of TV, radio and big band experience.

 

Many attendees were lucky recipients of donated QuikTrip gas cards or beautiful handmade blankets provided by the Green Gables Artisan Coop, through liaison Judith Balter. All were given an insulated agency tote bag provided through the BB&T Insurance Services Lighthouse Project.

 

Another agency client unable to attend graciously communicated through a letter how she feels about our fabulous volunteers: Senior Services North Fulton Volunteers are "a huge family with a beautiful spirit of giving - your time - your energy - your sincere giving!! We are so humbled and grateful to you - Bless you for your goodness."

 

Without our volunteers we couldn't do what we do. Thank you to all who attended and to those who donate thousands of volunteer hours each year.

Meals on Wheels for PETS
  

Senior Services North Fulton recently launched our new Meals on Wheels for Pets program which provides pet food to those clients who either cannot afford pet food on limited incomes or cannot get to the store to purchase the food. Some of our seniors have had to give up their pets to relatives or shelters. Now through a lead grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust, the MOWs for Pets program allows our clients to keep their beloved animals. What makes this program particularly helpful is that seniors can request the specific food their pet enjoys.

 

Volunteer involvement is vital to the success of Meals on Wheels for Pets. Volunteer Lisa Drynan is helping to coordinate the program. The Roswell/Alpharetta chapter of National Charity League delivered the first round of pet food in August. In November, the Milton chapter of Young Men's Service League will handle the second round of deliveries. So far, we've been able to serve 22 dogs and cats in 18 senior households.

 

We'd love to do more and hope to expand the program if additional funding becomes available. As one of our clients told us, "I wake up every morning and get out of bed because of my pet."

Farmers Market 2013
  
Through the Georgia Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, we were able to provide 175 bags of produce for our clients. The program provides $20 of produce to each household that meets the criteria. This year, along with the Senior Center participants, we were able to expand the program to seniors receiving in-home services such as Meals on Wheels, homemaker, personal care or respite services.
 
Some clients told staff that this was the first fresh produce they have had in a year. Given the number of tears and hugs, we are judging the program a success and hope next year we will be able to expand further, including more seniors.
 
Our thanks to Merrell's Farmers Market with their fabulous produce, the volunteers who packed bags and helped with delivery, and to the seniors who shared their stories and family recipes with us over bags of produce.

Volunteer Leadership Committee

 

Senior Services North Fulton has established a Volunteer Leadership Committee to help guide us in expanding and improving our already well-established volunteer program. Working with Assistant Director, Ron Harlow, and Volunteer Program Manager, Deena Takata, the Volunteer Leadership Committee is comprised of new and long term volunteers as well as Board representatives to ensure diverse perspectives. Meeting bi-monthly, our goal is to fully engage our volunteers in meaningful and satisfying experiences using feedback from the volunteers themselves. We encourage all volunteers to send in the Volunteer Annual Survey so the committee is able to address your suggestions.

Resource Center
 

LIHEAP (Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program) 

http://facaa.org/wp/resources/liheap-financial/

 

 

Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15th: for more information go to:

http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan.html#collapse-3190

 

 

Help with questions about Medicare and programs for assistance with Healthcare Costs:

http://www.mygeorgiacares.org/

 

 

Apply for extra help paying for Medicare Prescription Plan:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/

 

 

Healthcare Marketplace - apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll:

https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/individual/#state=georgia

 

The Mystery of Medicare and Medicaid

By: Miles P. Hurley, JD, CELA*

www.hurleyeclaw.com

404-843-0121

  

The longer I work in the elder care community, the more I hear of people who do not understand the difference between Medicare, CCSP Medicaid, and of course one of our specialties, long-term Medicaid. I think it's very important for seniors to have a working knowledge of the three programs that cause so much confusion. I hope this will debunk some of the common myths I hear about every day. Read More...

Aging Services Network Meeting
 

  Thursday

 November 7, 2013

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

 

Location/Hosted By

Somerby of Alpharetta

100 Somerby Drive

Alpharetta, GA 30009

 

  

SPEAKER

Sue Sharp

Mobility Scooters & More

 

TOPIC

Senior Equipment Solutions

 

 

The last of our 2013 quarterly meetings, we hope you gain valuable information on current topics from our expert speakers.  
 
Our 2014 year will kick off in February.
 

As a non-profit agency, Senior Services North Fulton is committed to assisting seniors in need. Your dues will be used to support emergency client situations that might arise during the year, including food, prescriptions, medical supplies and equipment, home repairs, moving expenses, and other emergency needs.

 

Membership dues allow up to 4 individuals from your organization to attend the meetings. Upon payment we will mail you a membership card, so please provide your address. A quick show of your card will serve as your ticket for entry to ASN.

 

By pre-paying your membership dues, you will only need to check in if the membership card is lost or forgotten, or to update your contact information.

 

Dues are payable online using our DONATE NOW button, and under Program Designation, selecting Aging Services Network. Or you can mail a check to our office, payable to Senior Services North Fulton. Please direct any questions to Carrie Bellware at cbellware@ssnorthfulton.org. 

 

  

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in November!