ElderCARE hosts car show Sept. 7
On Aug. 22, Lake County Board District 9 Representative, Mary Ross Cunningham, presented ElderCARE@ChristChurch a check for over $23,000 from Lake County and Waukegan Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, to help Lake County elders (65+) remain healthy and living in the community.
Representative Ross Cunningham stated how important it was to support our elders who have lived and worked in Lake County for many years. Rev. Eileen Shanley-Roberts mentioned the significant contribution a mix of generations was to neighborhood stabilization.
The community can show its support for elders living independently this Saturday, Sept. 7. ElderCARE will hold its 4th annual benefit Car Show at Christ Church from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 410 Grand Ave. Waukegan, IL. There will be great cars of all vintages (spectators vote for their favorite), exhibitor tables, dog agility demonstration at noon, and hula hoop contest plus much more. Awards ceremony starts at 2 pm. A $15 contribution per show car is requested. The event is free for spectators with plenty of free spectators parking close-by. Call 847-406-4683 for more information.
2013 marks ElderCARE's 15th anniversary. Each year, ElderCARE's team of trained caring volunteers serves approximately 450 elders. The primary volunteer services include friendly visits, grocery shopping and escorted transportation to medical appointments. In each of the last five years, ElderCARE has provided over 1,000 round trips to medical appointments. Over 90% of elders served report that receiving services contributes to their being able to live independently. Over 85% say that for the trips that ElderCARE provided, the volunteers were their only reasonable means of getting to medical appointments. Many comment, “I'm so glad I found you; I have no idea what I would do without your volunteers' help!)
ElderCARE volunteers report they receive almost as much benefit as the elders they assist. Ed Nelson, a now retired volunteer driver said, “I learned so much and got so much from driving.” His wife Betty nodded her head in agreement. Friendly visitor, Terry Sims commented on her visits with her 90+ year old friend, “She is so sharp…we talk about current events…Waukegan history…she takes my thinking to another level! I also want to be a good example to my children about the importance of giving back when we have been given so much.”