ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996 TAG: 9605220016
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: for seniors
SOURCE: TRACY WHITAKER
In recognition of Older Americans Month, the following list of services and support groups has been developed. This column regularly lists area senior-center classes, trips and volunteer opportunities.
Services:
New River Community Action programs address housing, health, education, nutrition, employment and emergency assistance for all ages and serves Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski counties and the city of Radford. Programs that might be of interest to seniors include:
SHARE (Self-Help And Resource Exchange) - Food distribution and community service program helps participants stretch their food dollars. Two hours of community service plus a minimum cost (cash or food stamps) equal to $14 buys 30 to 40 pounds of food. Community service includes volunteer work with churches.
Weatherization - Home energy conservation techniques help participants save on fuel bills. Services help reduce health problems and make homes more comfortable.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Assistance Activities - Organized community projects provide opportunities to share the joys of the holidays with neighbors in need.
Homeless Intervention Program - Provides no-interest loans for mortgages and grants for the payment of temporary rent, and deposit assistance to eligible people in the New River Valley who are homeless or are in imminent danger of becoming homeless. A housing counselor assists approved applicant with a self-sufficiency plan.
Emergency Assistance/Food And Clothing Banks - Assistance is given to meet the emergency needs of those in financial crisis who cannot be helped by another agency or organization. (Montgomery County/Radford Emergency Assistance hours are 8:30-10:15 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.)
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - Assistance in filing IRS Forms 1040EZ and 1040A is available during tax season.
Call 382-6168 for more information.
Virginia Mountain Housing offers housing related services for citizens including emergency home repair, energy management and home improvement. Call 382-2002 for more information.
Senior citizens may benefit from the New River Valley Community Services Board's professional services. Services include: help for people adjusting to community life after hospitalization; information and referral; crisis intervention; individual, group and family counseling for depression, anxiety, other emotional problems, or alcohol and other drug-related problems. Floyd, 745-2333; Giles, 921-1738; Montgomery, 382-1738; Pulaski, 674-1738; Radford, 639-1738.
The New River Valley Agency on Aging offers services to persons age 60 and older living in the counties of Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles and Floyd and the city of Radford. Some services are available to disabled persons younger than 60.
Service include delivered meals, group meals, homemaker services, information and referral, case management services, legal services, elder abuse specialist, ID discount program, employment services, and medical transportation services.
Call the Agency on Aging at 639-9677 or 980-7720.
Support Groups:
Arthritis Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month. Sponsored by Radford Community Hospital. Call 951-1816 or 731-2000.
Enlightened Hearts is for people with cardiovascular disease. Sponsored by Radford Community Hospital. 731-2721.
Caregiver Support Group is open to family members, friends and care givers of adults needing assistance in daily living. The next meeting is May 30 at the Virginia Tech Adult Day Care Center, Intergenerational area, Wallace Hall. 231-3161.
Hearing Loss Support Group Rosalie Kilper, 951-8732.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
* Today, 10 a.m., Christiansburg morning group visits Heritage Hall, Christiansburg afternoon group visits English Meadows for Mother's Day Reception.
* Thursday, 9 a.m., van departs from Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg for breakfast trip to Blue Ridge Parkway.
* Friday, 10:30 a.m., clean up at Pandapas Pond. Picnic lunch furnished by RSVP.
* Monday, 9 a.m., quilters meet at courthouse annex; 10 a.m., Shawsville group goes to Kids and Crafts.
* Tuesday, 2 p.m., Warm Hearth visits Brookmeade.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
* Thursday, 9:30 a.m., coffee; 10-11 a.m., "Anyone for Chess?" Donald Bloss, a retired Virginia Tech chess expert.
* Friday is the registration deadline for May 29 trip to Mountain Lake resort for brunch. Van departs at 11:30 a.m.
* Registration is open for June 5 trip to New River Valley Gorge. Van departs at 9 a.m. $20.
* Tuesdays, noon-2 p.m., Outdoor Art Class. $15. Sketching, painting, and drawing for all levels. Bring lunch.
* Volunteers are needed to show the Senior Center and to work the exhibit booth for the Retire Blacksburg Expo '96, June 6-8.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
* Thursday, 1 p.m., seniors create an Ice Cream Dream sundae, $1 seniors, $2 ages 21-54.
* Friday, van departs from National Guard Armory for trip to Andre Viette Farm and Nursery, Fishersville. Transportation is $4 for seniors, $8 for ages 21-54.
* Monday, center closed.
* Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., plant care seminar, Elfredia Hartman, master gardener.
* May 29, van departs from NGA for Virginia Golden Olympics.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
* Today, 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., AARP 55 Alive.
* Thursday, 12:30-4:30 p.m., AARP 55 Alive.
* Friday-Monday, center is closed.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER,1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
* Thursday, 9:45 a.m., walking at Old Orchard.
* Monday, center is closed for Memorial Day.
* Tuesday, 9:45 a.m., walking at Old Orchard.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Carolyn Duncan, 980-1000:
* Fridays, 1-4 p.m., cards.
|Senior Shorts| * Warm Hearth Village: Friday, 7-9 p.m., Ballroom Dancing. No partners needed. Informal dress. 552-1498.
* Senior Employment Program: Job placement assistance and skills training for job seekers 55 years or older. New River Valley Agency on Aging, 980-7720 or 639-9677.
* Senior Centers: offer a variety of ongoing activities, trips and classes. Call for a newsletter and a calendar of event.
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