by Holly A. Lawtons

     Volunteer involvement and community support are ingredients key to the success of the 50-Plus Senior Program, which operates through the L.K. Painter Community Center in Collins and provides a full slate of programs for seniors from October to May.

     “I couldn’t operate without volunteers,” commented Joan Byrne, the program’s director. “There’s no way possible that I could offer what we offer if I didn’t have the help of a wonderful group of volunteers.”

     The Telephone Assurance Program and Eldercare rely on volunteers to provide much-needed services. These services are particularly crucial for seniors living in rural areas.

     Through the Telephone Assurance Program, volunteers call every day between 8 and 8:30 a.m. to make sure individuals who have requested the service are okay. Seniors can rest assured knowing that someone will be checking on them every 24 hours, and if the phone isn’t answered, the volunteers will contact the police for help.

     Telephone Assurance Program volunteers are asked to cover one day per week, making calls to four or five people. Substitute callers are also welcomed. A different aspect of the program involves volunteers who will make friendly phone calls to an individual about once a week, just to visit.

     According to Byrne, Eldercare offers services for those who are housebound as well as respite for caretakers. Volunteers might do anything from minor repairs around the home, to cooking a hot breakfast for someone on oxygen, to running errands, such as paying bills, picking up prescriptions, getting groceries or buying a birthday present.

     “They’re small things, but things that will make a person’s life more pleasant,” Byrne submitted. Another training session for Eldercare volunteers will be coming up.

     The 50-Plus Seniors group participates in many different community service projects during the year. “They feel good about doing things for others,” Byrne noted. The group can always use more seniors willing to lend a hand. Anyone any age can contribute by donating items for the projects.

     There is a consistent demand for yarn. One project involves knitting or crocheting baby caps and booties for area hospitals. Byrne estimates that a total of over 500 sets have been delivered to Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk and Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. The hospitals in Jamestown and Olean were recipients of smaller quantities.

     For another ongoing project, 50-Plus Senior volunteers knit or crochet squares or rectangles and then sew them together to make lap robes. The finished products have been donated to local nursing homes, the veterans’ hospital in Buffalo and the Tri-County Chemical Dependency female residential unit. The blankets have also been distributed to area preschool and kindergarten programs for children to use during rest time.

     This is a particularly busy time of year with the holidays approaching. partnering with the area Kiwanis and Lions clubs, the 50-Plus Seniors work on preparing People for People food baskets and wrapping toys that are distributed to needy local families during the holidays.

     Materials are needed for a wide variety of craft projects. Frequently the seniors make one item for themselves and one to give away. Examples include sachets, Christmas ornaments and favors that are placed on meal trays at the Gowanda Nursing Home, Tri-County Memorial Hospital and the Chemical Dependency unit.

     “Most everything we do with crafts is taught by a volunteer instructor,” Byrne said. “We ask the volunteers to bring in a sample of the craft they would be willing to teach and a list of what materials are needed.”

     Besides the crafts utilized for community service projects, classes have been offered in quilting, caning chairs and painting ceramics, just to name a few. For some classes the materials are provided; for others participants are required to bring their own materials.

     Byrne has people who assist with luncheons, the new Arthritis Self-Help Course and exercise classes, including weekly Tai Chi. She also hopes to be able to offer free income tax preparation help for seniors again this year.

     “With all of the different components, over the course of a year, we have well over 500 different individuals attending some part of our program,” Byrne commented. All of the trips and AARP driving courses the group has scheduled are completely booked for the rest of this year and into next year.

     “I think we’re helping to keep people from being isolated in a rural area without much transportation. That’s pretty much our mission,” Byrne remarked. “We’re keeping them in touch with the outside world through Eldercare and TAP. We also have opportunities for socialization here [at the Painter Center].”

     Byrne continued, “We promote a healthier lifestyle through speakers and exercise. I think, overall, we provide the kinds of things that keep people healthy both mentally and physically.”

     Byrne pointed out that community support for the 50-Plus Senior Program, and all L.K. Painter Community Center programs, is even more vital now with the loss of funding from the Buffalo and Erie County United Way for the 2004-05 budget year. “I can run a program for very little money,” she said, “but you’ve got to have a building with heat and lights.”

     The community will have many opportunities to show its support in conjunction with the 50-Plus Senior Program’s upcoming annual fund-raiser, a Harvest Roast Pork Dinner/Halloween Celebration and Theme Tray Auction, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 31. Those who enjoy putting their creativity to work are invited to make and donate theme trays for the sale. Donations can be dropped off in the senior room in the basement of the Painter Center on Friday, Oct. 29 from 2 to 4p.m. or on Oct. 31 before 1 p.m., when the trays will be on display.

     If eating is more your style, dinner will be served from 2 p.m. until sold out. Takeouts are available. The cost is $6.50 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

     Auction winners will be selected at 4 p.m. or after the dinner. You do not need to be present to win.

     If you would like to help the 50-Plus Senior Program in some way, or you know of someone who would benefit from its services, call Byrne at 532-2006, extension 21 or 532-2507.