Wheeling Township Thanks Senior Volunteers Who Make a Difference

May is Older Americans Month, and Wheeling Township would like to recognize the hundreds of senior volunteers who continue to positively impact the lives of other Township residents. The Township is grateful for their dedication, commitment, and valuable service.

Thousands of volunteer hours were donated by these generous individuals over the last year in the Food Pantry, assisting other seniors with Medicare questions, or delivering food to homebound residents.

"We live in a selfless community," said Wheeling Township Supervisor Kathleen Penner. "The many senior volunteers who give so freely of their time and compassion for others makes a huge difference to so many residents in this Township. Thanks to their dedication, we are able to positively impact the community even more, and they, in turn, also benefit by giving back."

Two of the Township's programs that utilize the largest number of senior volunteers are the Food Pantry and the Home Delivered Meal Program.

Volunteers in the Food Pantry assist residents with shopping, bagging groceries, sorting donations and stocking shelves. Julie Villarreal, Director of General Assistance, said of the volunteers, "Our Food Pantry couldn't run without our senior 'crew,' who provided more than 4,800 hours of service over the last year. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication."

Last year, the Food Pantry fed 9,814 people, and 2,167 were children under the age of 18. Food Pantry volunteers commit to a 3-hour shift every week during one of the 11 weekly shifts, which includes a daily morning and afternoon shift, and a mid-day swing shift on Wednesdays.

Over the last year, the Home Delivered Meal Program (HDM) ensured that 13,477 meals were delivered by senior volunteers to homebound seniors over the age of 60, and to disabled individuals over 18 years of age. Freshly prepared meals are delivered five days a week - even on holidays. The HDM program works with 350 year-round volunteers from the community, as well as individuals from 25 local churches who deliver meals during an assigned month. The vast majority of volunteers are seniors over the age of 65, who contributed more than 3,600 volunteer hours to help ensure the program's success.

Other Township programs that utilized senior volunteers last year include: the AARP Tax-Aide Program (assistance with preparation of residents' tax returns), and SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program), whose volunteers provided valuable Medicare information and assistance, particularly during the annual Open Enrollment period in the fall. There is also a Wheeling Township Senior Advisory Board, comprised of senior volunteers who help to represent the interests of all seniors who live in the Township.

For more information about the HDM program, or other senior services, please contact Director of Senior/Disability Services Lynndah Lahey via email at llahey@wheelingtownship.com.

For information about the Township's Food Pantry, contact Director of General Assistance Julie Villarreal at jvillarreal@wheelingtownship.com. Both can also be reached by calling the Township directly at 847-259-7730.

Through its dedication to providing services to residents, whether by helping them maintain their independence, sustain their health, or by offering critical assistance during times of need, Wheeling Township continues to make a significant difference in the community - as it has since 1850.

For more information, visit wheelingtownship.com.