Thursday, September 6, 2012

Help the Madison County Office for the Aging support local seniors


Do you receive the monthly newsletter from the Madison County Office for the Aging? Those under 60 (or whatever the age is for receiving it) may not know all of the services they offer.

Most people think it is connected with Madison County and receives county funds, but it’s a non-profit institution that operates within Madison County. They depend on donations.

Each year they raise money to advocate, assist, and provide the many services that enrich the quality of life and promote the independence and dignity of older individuals.

For instance, last month they had a raffle in which there were four prizes of $20 gift certificates to places in Wampsville, Oneida, Canastota and Verona Beach. Another raffle will be held later this year.
This Saturday the second annual “Cycle for Seniors” motorcycle ride will tour through Madison County. It will include a chicken barbecue, silent auction, door prizes, raffles, and live music featuring Matt Chase and Thunder Canyon.

The hub of the event is American Legion Post 54 in Munnsville. Register for the ride between 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

The event is not limited to just motorcycles; all types of vehicles are welcome. If you did not want to participate you could still support the OFA by enjoying the barbecue and the other activities offered at 1:30 p.m.

For those who don’t want to participate, there are other ways of support your OFA. They have pies and cheesecake mixes available at their office. The pies are frozen up to six months and make a cheesecake mix the product with cream cheese, whipped topping and place in a pie crust. The pies are $8 available all year round and cheesecake mixes $6. Pies available are red raspberry, banana cream, apple, blueberry, cherry, peach, pumpkin, Boston cream, chocolate cream, and coconut cream.

So if you need a pie in a hurry, call them. They are available at the Canastota office, plus Earlville SNACK, Brookfield, Oneida, Chittenango, Morrisville, and Hamilton SNACK sites. They have to be ordered in advance at the SNACK sites.

Listing all the OFA services is impossible. There is Alzheimer’s information and referral, legal services, tax relief programs, basic and enhanced STAR, veterans’ and disability tax exemptions. The provide information on the EPIC and HEAP programs. OFA staff members will come to your home to help you complete applications, obtain documentation and act as representatives when applying for Medicare and Food Stamps.
The run contests for school children during the May Older American Month to help them appreciate their elders. All types of hospital and medical insurance problems can be discussed and solved by representatives from the OFA.

In short, if you have a problem, call the OFA; nd if they cannot help they can point you in the right direction. That’s their job. And please donate if you can.

To learn more about the motorcycle run or the OFA, drop by the office at 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd,, Canastota , call 697-5700 or visit:
www.ofamadco.org

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