Unity In Our Diversity Fall Conference 2008
‘Great Ideas’
Every October the Wyoming County OFA plans a Halloween party for the seniors in the county. Wyoming school voluntarily puts together the whole party for us in their gymnasium. All the children wear costumes and put on a play and parade. They also make cookies for dessert after we serve lunch. The seniors love it! We also encourage seniors to wear costumes as well. We have prized for the best costumes.
Submitted by Emily McKinnon
emckinnon@wyomingco.net
emckinnon@wyomingco.netWe are doing an alternate salad (grilled chicken). The seniors now have a choice
Submitted by Michael Saccomanno
In Onondaga County (Syracuse) we are ‘going green’ with our senior congregate programs by switching from disposable to china service. The seniors deserve and love it!
Submitted by Joan Rogusjrogus@ongov.net
jrogus@ongov.netWe developed a database in MS Access to manager our home-delivered meal clients. It provides a route list in order of delivery each day, plus labels for cold and hot food with the date, the clients name and any substitutions needed. The database also gives totals for food production and numbers for reports.
Submitted by Carolyn Arnoldcarnold@foodnet.org
carnold@foodnet.orgWe try to conserve paper by sending out our monthly nutrition education piece and a monthly calendar on one sheet – double sided. On the calendar, we mark holidays and reminders of useful info.
Submitted by Peggy Fitkowskipfitkowski@mealsonwheelswny.org
pfitkowski@mealsonwheelswny.orgGiant Spelling Bee – At our annual summer picnic we divided people into teams of 8. We asked the entire group the word – the team captain wrote the spelling out – we eliminate teams as they misspelled words until we had a winning team. Sites in preparation had mini spellings bees to get ready. Staff had bee antennae, decorated w/ words – fun, fun, fun
Submitted by Barbara Woodarekbcwoodarek@catteo.org
bcwoodarek@catteo.orgIf you want to develop your fundraising skills join your local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. We have mostly educational luncheons. Find your closest chapter at www.AFP.org
Submitted by Steve Griffinsgriffin@foodnet.org
sgriffin@foodnet.orgExercise Session/weight lifting for stronger bones. Either 30 minutes for one session or 15 minutes in two sessions
Submitted by Damyant Puridamyantpuri@netscape.com
damyantpuri@netscape.comThe Farm Fresh Mobile Market truck delivers year round to 10 community sites – some are at senior housing sites. Seniors love it – easy access to local produce. Public, private partnerships – can use EBT and Farmers market coupons
Submitted by Nancy Schmidnancy.schmid@ongov.net
nancy.schmid@ongov.netAt congregate sites, sponsor a birthday party for all of the 100 or 100+ year olds in your county. We had a Centenarian Birthday Celebration during Niagara County’s Bicentennial year. Highlight your services, get publicity.
Submitted by Glenda Reardonglenda.reardon@niagaracounty.com
glenda.reardon@niagaracounty.comMonthly menus are provided to HDM clients in their (mailed) donation letters. Also, the RD’s Nutrition Education article is on the back. So not relying on or adding responsibility to drivers – all mailed out.
Submitted by Nancy O’Connornoconnor2@hotmail.com
noconnor2@hotmail.comThank you sponsor or donors (corporate and other) in person. After our Wheel-A-Thon a volunteer and I visit each person to say thanks and give a thank you custom made plaque The plaque are inexpensive and very attractive.
Submitted by Steve Griffinsgriffin@foodnet.org
sgriffin@foodnet.orgActivities – line dancing, Wii game system, Pickle ball, Historical Programs. Menus – Breakfast, Evening Meals. Canned food drive @ Price Chopper with Kiwanis and RSVP to man. Pass out flyers when they go in and hand in food on the way out.
Submitted by Patty Armstrongparmstrong@cortland-co.org
parmstrong@cortland-co.orgCongregate site count is down so to reach seniors who you would not see at a site we now do catered luncheons to senior clubs. This can be only once a month, weekly and what the group wants. We have reached out to more rural areas where no site or outreach site was there. (Winner of random drawing for $25.00 gas card!)
Submitted by Carol Allencallen@ocgov.net
callen@ocgov.netBuilding on Nutrition Education topic vegetables in your diet with emphasis on cultural/ethnic preferences, participants submitted favorite recipes which were collected, categorized, nutrient analyzed and published into booklet. The project was completed in 6 months, “Classy & Classic Vegetable Recipes”.
Submitted by Rose Levin
One of our nutrition sites coordinated with Best Buy to have their ‘Geek Squad’ come to the site to experiment with laptops, online, Wii games and many other items. The participants have a chance to experiment and see how easy the equipment can be!! This is all free of charge to participants. It is scheduled for October 29th.
Submitted by Kent Gobenkgoben@co.chemung.ny.us
kgoben@co.chemung.ny.usKeep the wheels rolling and volunteers on the road – ask community to donate $1 for each mile. Route covers x number of miles. Ask large corporate entities to donate gas cards for MOW volunteer drivers. Create an advisory council of MOW volunteers to strategize ways of keeping volunteer drivers involved.
Submitted by Richard Gehringrgehring1@verizon.net
rgehring1@verizon.netWe piloted a program with neighborhood farmers markets and MOW clients who live in the immediate area. Volunteers take orders from clients and then deliver the order each Thursday. MOW clients can pay in cash or use their Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons or their foods stamps EBT. Increased access to fresh produce.
Submitted by Nancy Schmidnancy.schmid@ongov.net
nancy.schmid@ongov.netStarted wellness ‘incentive’ program for our Growing Stronger, strength exercise class participants. They receive a ‘Wellness Buck’ for attendance, increasing weight they are lifting, perfect attendance, bringing new person to class, attending a nutrition education class. They redeem or cash in the bucks earned once a year for exercise equipment, books, DVDs, gift card to subway, gift card to local grocery store, etc.
Submitted by Cheryl Czworkaczworkca@alleganyco.com
czworkca@alleganyco.comOur largest centralized kitchen is now at the Chautaugua count jail.
Submitted by Cheryl Wahlstrom
Coordinate a fitness program at your congregate sites and offer a cold meal choice for younger active seniors. Time exercise before or after lunch (best if before because they are already there).
Submitted by Becky Blumblumb@co.chautaugua.ny.us
blumb@co.chautaugua.ny.us“March Out Hunger” – We have area schools, businesses, social groups and senior centers collect can goods for ‘blizzard bags’. TOPS supermarket is a major sponsor also. Goods are taken to TOPS on Saturday prior to Tuesday ‘March’. The goods are sorted, bagged, and put into shopping carts. On the Tuesday of the event we gather at 11:30 for a short program, line up with a high school band, color guard and other groups. The carts are pushed 2 blocks in parade fashion. The city police block off the road and send a pay loader full of goods. We have junior marshal (student who writes winning essay) it is read at program. This has gone on for 7 years. Last year goal was 12,000 cans. This year goal was 15,000. Over 19,000 items and $1000 cash was collected!
Submitted by Darlene Ikemealsonwheels@stny.rr.com
mealsonwheels@stny.rr.com
