SALT LAKE CITY, UT (WNY News Now) – Chautauqua County’s Office for Aging Services was honored with two national awards during the USAging Conference in Salt Lake City.
Chautauqua County’s Office for Aging Services was recognized on a national stage during the recent USAging Conference in Salt Lake City, where they received two prestigious awards for their outstanding programs dedicated to improving the lives of older adults.
The first award-winning program, Santa for Seniors, aims to bring joy and companionship to isolated older adults during the holiday season. Through collaboration with community organizations and volunteers, the program delivers gifts and holiday meals to more than 150 identified seniors, spreading the festive spirit and fostering social interaction with “delivery elves,” including elected officials. The initiative’s total cost in 2022 was $36 per client, with donations from generous partners like the Mayville Baptist Church and the Rev. J. Paul Womack Christmas Basket Fund.
The second honored program, Local Roots, addresses the critical issue of nutrition and access to fresh produce for older adults in underserved rural and low-income areas. This community nutrition program not only enhances nutritional intake but also encourages independence and socialization. More than 300 older adults currently benefit from the program at multiple pop-up locations, where they receive fresh, locally grown produce at little to no cost. The inter-generational interaction is emphasized as student volunteers actively participate in serving at some of the sites.
Dr. Mary Ann Spanos, the Director of Chautauqua County’s Office for Aging Services, expressed her pride in the innovative programs developed by their relatively small, rural office. The recognition received from USAging demonstrates their dedication to improving the lives of older adults and the positive impact they have made on their community.
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